Audiologist of the Year 2018: Get to know the 5 country winners

This annual competition is run in partnership between Rayovac, Audio Infos, the European Federation of Hard of Hearing People (EFHOH) and the European Hearing Instrument Manufacturers Association (EHIMA). Congratulations to these great professionals!

France: Julien Benoit

“Julien has a real passion about his profession”

Julien Benoit from Entendre has been announced as the 2018 French Audiologist of the Year.

He was nominated by patient Elena, from Saint Maur des Fossés, who praised Julien for creating bespoke in-ear devices which enabled her to once again fully experience the joy of hearing everyday sounds.

“I was delighted and the hearing device gave me a new lease of life. I never thought that it would be possible for someone who was so deaf to be able to hear so well.”

Julien Benoit works at Entendre in the region of Paris.

Germany: Benjamin Schadow

“Never before had I met an audiologist who listened so intently”

In her moving nomination, Karla, 62, explained how she had developed hearing loss on both sides as a child, as a result of chronic otitis media and found that standard devices were aggravating her condition.

But thanks to customised ear pieces produced with the help of a 3D printer and fitting a number of auxiliary devices in her workplace, she is now confidently able to actively participate in wide range of activities.

Benjamin Schadow works at Hörstil in Erfurt.

Netherlands: Wilgis Schoffelmeijer

“Do you know what makes her so special? She is always so pleasant and friendly”

In 2016 Wilgis won this prestigious Award for the first time and she is thrilled to win again in 2018.

In his heart-warming nomination, Willem, who has worn hearing aids in both ears for 44 years said: “Through my work, the situations I find myself in vary from performing music, conducting, singing solo and playing the organ to holding conversations with very softly spoken people in sometimes emotional circumstances.

“In the past, it wasn’t possible for just one hearing aid to meet all these different needs. So, until last year, I used various devices and would change over to, for example, analogue aids such as Widex Quattro when in a musical setting. The professionalism of my current audiologist has resulted in a permanent and positive contribution to my life, which bears testament to the great commitment she shows me as a client.”

Wilgis Schoffelmeijer works at Hoorcentrum Westerkwartier in Zuidhorn, Groningen.

Spain: Miriam González Maycas

“My expectations were exceeded in every way”

In her moving nomination, her patient, Mercedes, explained how her daily life changed forever when she suddenly went deaf in one ear and developed tinnitus.

She said: “My experience at RV ALFA has been great, not only because of the professional treatment I’ve received, including research and fitting of a hearing aid, but also because of the staff’s support, compassionate treatment, and ability to understand the effects of my situation on an emotional level.

“Miriam and her team also involved my husband in my care and they helped him understand my situation, what it was like for me, and how he could help and support me.

Miriam González Maycas works at RV ALFA, Madrid.

United Kingdom: Bridgitte Harley

“I am so grateful to Bridgitte, her expertise and professionalism for making such a difference to my life”

She was nominated by a patient who praised Bridgitte for helping her to hear from her left ear for the first time since she developed Single Sided Deafness (SSD) at the age of four.

“Bridgitte’s in-depth auditory testing, patience and experiments with different hearing aids led to a solution using two digital hearing aids that has enhanced my hearing and given me a better quality of life.”

Bridgitte Harley -second on the left, with her team on the picture- is audiologist and director at The Hearing Clinic, Radlett

Next stage: European Audiologist of the Year

Judging is now taking place to decide which of the country winners from the participating countries will win the overall title of European Audiologist of the Year. The winner will receive a cash prize along with a certificate, which will be presented at the annual Evening of Excellence in Hanover, during the EUHA Congress, from 17 to 19 October.

Let’s congratulate once more these top audiologists while wishing them all the very best of luck!

Source and photos: Rayovac