You make sure that people feel included again

The best part of being a hearing care professional? Richard doesn't have to think about it for a second. "That you help people with hearing problems progress. That's what drives me. Moreover, the combination of supporting people and working with the latest technologies is incredibly fascinating." People with improved hearing are part of the group again, he says. "Laughing along in a group while you're not getting the joke isn't funny. And you don't see it. Everyone is considerate of someone with a cast, but you don't immediately notice if someone is hearing impaired."

Never a dull day

Richard stumbled into the profession. "I come from healthcare and actually wanted to retrain as a dental technician. Helping people, working with technology, that appealed to me. But there wasn't a demand for it at the time. Then I read about being a hearing care professional. It seemed like a good alternative." He took the plunge and went to a hearing care professional's shop. It turned out to be a bull's-eye. "I could start almost immediately, and they were willing to pay for my training. What more could you ask for?"

The mother looked to the side in surprise: "I hear you." She had tears in her eyes.

Richard currently works at Stufkens Hearing Center in Venlo. After thirty years, he's still passionate about his profession. He cites two reasons for this. “It never gets old making people happy. Clients sometimes come in hesitant and sad because they can no longer join in a conversation with friends or can't hear their children and grandchildren well. Recently, a mother and her daughter were here. She was putting in her fitted hearing aid for the first time when the daughter next to her said something. The mother looked to the side in surprise: 'I hear you!' She had tears in her eyes. It's very touching to see people blossom. People also get emotional when they can suddenly hear their favorite music again. Those reactions are so beautiful to see.”

Streaming with your hearing aid

Richard cites the second reason for the technological development of hearing aids over the years. "It's spectacular. I started when hearing aids were still large and clearly visible. We adjusted them by turning potentiometers with a screwdriver. These days, hearing aids are sometimes completely invisible, and we adjust everything digitally via computer. And by connecting a hearing aid to your phone, you can also make calls and stream music."

“In the past, wearing a hearing aid was a bit of a taboo, but nowadays, paying attention to your hearing is very normal.”

Thanks to these technological developments and increasing familiarity with hearing protection, more and more young people are turning to audiologists. "They want to protect their ears, for example, when working in loud noise or attending a festival or concert. They get earplugs fitted for maximum comfort and the best sound. Fashion is also a priority these days. You can find earplugs and hearing aids in many colors." Richard is pleased with the growing interest in hearing. "Good hearing is one of our most essential needs. Hearing aids used to be somewhat taboo, but now, paying attention to your hearing is completely normal."

Plenty of employment

Because of this, and because the Netherlands is aging, there are plenty of jobs in the hearing care sector. So you have plenty of opportunities if you take the ten-day course to become a hearing care assistant at Summa & Bedrijf, for example. Richard wouldn't want any other profession. "I guide people and help them progress, investigate what's going on, creatively search for solutions, work with my hands and technology, and continuously develop myself to stay current. That holistic approach makes the work fascinating."