From the joy in helping people rediscover sound to the wonders of technology, Trend caught up with Jayne Bryce and found out why audiology is her lifelong passion.
I was only 18 when I first came across the fascinating world of audiology, it was part of a pre-nursing course which was offered at my local hospital. The three-month placement saw me spend time across different wards and departments, including audiology. It was a young, friendly department and I loved my time there. Thankfully the feeling was mutual and when a student post came up, I was asked to apply. I studied on a day release basis at what was Salford Poly before going on to Manchester University. Although there are different ways to get into audiology, there isn’t a Bachelor of Science offered at any university here in Scotland. Unfortunately, this has contributed to a major shortage in audiologists.
I trained at a busy North Manchester Hospital and worked closely with ENT consultants. Those early years were invaluable — from understanding the complexities of hearing loss to learning the importance of empathy and communication. I specialised in paediatric audiology, a role that taught me patience and the value of building trust. These lessons continue to shape my work today.
After several rewarding years in the NHS, I moved into the commercial side of audiology with an American hearing aid manufacturer. The experience immersed me in a fast-moving, high-tech environment where innovation was transforming lives. It was an incredible learning opportunity that broadened my understanding of hearing technology and how it could best serve patients. My next adventure took me north to Aberdeen, where I joined my husband and his family in their established audiology practice. I actually met my husband at an audiology conference in the states; working together has reinforced the importance of personal service and family values in hearing care.
I opened my own practice in Aberdeen in 2014. For eleven wonderful years we thrived on Rose Street before we moved to our beautiful new home on Victoria Street — a space that reflects the warmth, professionalism and independence that defines everything we do. Walking through the door each day is a rather lovely nod to my lifelong passion for helping people reconnect with the world of sound. I’ve now worked in audiology for 38 years and there has been many a heartwarming story along the way, I feel truly blessed to have had such a rewarding, happy career. Helping customers reconnect to the world around them never gets boring and as technology has improved, so has the outcome for wearers.
There has always been a stigma with wearing hearing aids but I do think this is changing. As a society we are more accustomed to seeing people with wireless earbuds in their ears. Hearing devices are so much more discrete than they used to be, and can be connected via smart phone to help with phone calls or stream music.
I’m immensely proud that our son, Fraser, has followed us into the family profession and is already making his own mark in audiology. Seeing the next generation carry forward our passion for hearing care is both humbling and inspiring. We pride ourselves on offering an exceptional service and aftercare. When someone invests in hearing aids, that’s only part of the journey — the real value lies in the ongoing support that comes with them.
We continually invest in the latest equipment and training to stay at the forefront of audiology. Twelve months ago, I joined the Board of the British Society of Hearing Aid Audiologists (BSHAA) and now serve as Director of Education. Just like you regularly check your eyes and teeth, your hearing deserves the same attention. From the age of 55, it’s important to have your hearing tested every two years. Addressing hearing loss early makes a huge difference to long-term outcomes — helping you stay connected, confident, and fully engaged in the world around you.
For us, audiology is about much more than technology; it’s about people. Every day, we’re reminded how life-changing good hearing care can be, and we’re proud to help our patients rediscover the joy of sound.