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Our free hearing checks attracted a bustling crowd!
A sweltering, hot summer’s day on 10 July saw us exhibit for the first time at The Tendring Hundred Agricultural Show in Lawford. We came along with a mobile hearing centre, conducting quick hearing screenings and ear examinations for a steady stream of visitors keen to learn more about their hearing – and escape the blistering heat in the cool of our tents!
Our services proved so popular, that Vicki was interviewed live by BBC Radio Essex, which broadcast to both the show and in homes. Overall, the event was an overwhelming success and we certainly plan a repeat next year.
After a good day out on the course, our players are joined by the team from Hearing Dogs for Deaf People. Front row (l-r) are representative Gill Yeates, hearing dog Coley and recipient Marion Thulborn. With Vicki Skeels in the back are Daniel Laverty, Brian Banks, Paul Redican, golf captain Brig Archer and Geoff Robins.
Another successful Charity Golf Day was held on 15 June at Brett Vale Golf Club in Suffolk. We raised over £1,000 for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, thanks to the generosity of our players, clients and sponsors.
An invigorating 18-hole game of golf was followed by a well-earned meal, prizegiving and raffle, along with a thought-provoking and inspiring talk by Marion Thulborn, former teacher and recipient of hearing dog Coley. Interestingly, Coley was part of a litter born during the last Football World Cup in 2006, where the puppies were named after members of the England squad.
The Hearing Care Centre was seen mingling with the stars at the launch of a UK wide hearing awareness campaign last summer.
Hear the World, a global initiative to raise awareness of the importance of hearing and the impact of hearing loss, run by hearing system manufacturer Phonak, was unveiled in London at the prestigious Saatchi Gallery on July 21, 2009. The event featured an exhibition of iconic photography by Bryan Adams, musician and photographer.
Vicki Skeels meets Bryan Adams
As co-sponser of the event under the umbrella of AIHHP (Association of Independent Hearing Healthcare Professionals), the Centre was invited to bring along several guests to the glittering occasion. And glittering it certainly was, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Martine McCutcheon, Rick Stein OBE, Gareth Gates, Stephanie Beacham and, of course, Bryan Adams himself.
Vicki Skeels, md of The Hearing Care Centre, was lucky enough to meet the star. ‘It was fantastic meeting Bryan Adams,’ she said. ‘It was only brief, but he was very friendly and interested in hearing about our work. He does a great deal to raise awareness about hearing loss because, as a musician, he knows that it happens to many people in that industry.’
Mr Adams also met one of our clients, Mrs Patricia Toulson, who came along as one of our guests. ‘He was interested to meet her,’ said Vicki, ‘because she lost her hearing when she contracted mumps in her mid-30s – proving that hearing loss does not just happen in older people.’
Guests of The Hearing Care Centre at the launch of Hear the World
included Colchester press and media, local councillor Kevin Bentley
(back row, second left) and our client, Mrs Patricia Toulson (front row,
far right) with her husband, Christopher (front row, far left)
Receiving our Excellent Customer Service Award are (L-R): Valerie Holder, Vicki Skeels and Janine Gardner, flanked by judges Ian Beddis and Scott Stephenson of Clarice House
The Hearing Care Centre scooped a pair of much-coveted customer service awards in two separate events held in the latter half of 2008.
First was the Essex Business Award for Customer Care and Service, presented by the Essex Chronicle Media Group. Up against 24 other countywide entries in this category, we took top honours in the small/medium business division at a glittering awards ceremony held in September. Judge Jenny Cook, director at Bird Luckin accountants, had this to say about us:
‘At The Hearing Care Centre, customer service is very much the culture of the company. It is clearly a team effort - they exceed expectations and differentiate by exemplary customer care. They strive to make all their customers feel important. A worthy winner, the company is not only credible, but is one that others would aspire to.’
More recently, in November, we were again delighted to win an Excellent Customer Service Award at the Colchester District Business Awards event organised by the Colchester Gazette. Amongst other comments, the judges praised our ‘exceptional’ aftercare programme and constructive use of customer feedback.
Vicki Skeels (pictured left), managing director of The Hearing Care Centre, has been recognised as one of the country’s leading hearing aid professionals in the UK’s first-ever Audiologist of the Year contest. Vicki received a certificate of special commendation as one of the competition’s runners-up.
Organised by hearing aid battery maker Rayovac and trade magazine Audio Infos, the contest attracted hundreds of entries, nominated by clients who believe their audiologist goes beyond the call of duty.
Judges were impressed with the testaments from clients received on Vicki’s behalf. One, in particular, said she had played a key role in helping him get back to work, along with improving his quality of life after major surgery and severe hearing loss.
Paula Brinson-Pyke, marketing manager at Rayovac said: “Vicki is clearly an outstanding audiologist who is respected and loved by her clients for the great work that she does. We’d like to congratulate her on her achievements.”