Claire shows it's never too late to study

Claire Bowman, from Leven, joined Specsavers Fife and Forth Valley Home Visits team as a trainee audiology practitioner and is now working towards becoming a qualified hearing aid audiologist.

Before joining Specsavers, Claire worked in cardiology for the NHS but made the decision to leave her role to care for her mum, who had vascular dementia.

Following her mum’s passing in June, Claire decided the time was right to pursue a career she could develop and progress in.

Claire says: “I’m 41 and I thought I was too old to study, but after my mum passed away, I made the decision that I wanted to qualify in a career for me – something I enjoyed, that I could really get my teeth into and where there were opportunities to progress.

“I’ve already completed my otoscopy training and in October I’ll start my triage and repair training in Nottingham, which forms part of a block of courses covering areas including wax removal, fittings and adjustments.”

Next year, Claire will begin a two-year course at Queen Margaret University, after which she will qualify as a hearing aid audiologist.

Her new role will ultimately see her travel throughout Fife and surrounding areas supporting customers who are unable to visit a store, providing services including hearing checks, hearing device repairs and helping customers find hearing devices suited to their individual needs.

Claire says seeing first-hand the difference hearing care can make to someone who is housebound has already confirmed that she has chosen the right career.

She adds: “On my first shadow day, we fitted hearing devices for a customer who hadn’t been able to hear properly for eight years.

“Her face completely lit up when we spoke to her because it meant the world that she could communicate and take part in conversations again.

“People who are housebound can often experience social isolation, so being able to help restore that communication can make such a difference. That’s what I’m really looking forward to being able to do for people across Fife and Forth Valley.”

Gemma Couper, home visits partner for Specsavers in Fife and Forth Valley, says: “We’re delighted to welcome Claire to the team and support her as she takes this next step in her career.

“Her own experiences have given her a real understanding of how important compassionate, accessible care can be, and she has already shown a huge amount of enthusiasm for audiology and for the customers we support.

“Home visits allows us to bring hearing care directly to people who may otherwise struggle to access it, and as the service continues to grow, investing in people like Claire means we can help even more customers across Fife and Forth Valley.”

Claire’s appointment forms part of the continued development of Specsavers’ Home Visits audiology service across Fife and Forth Valley, providing hearing care to customers who are unable to attend their local store.

Customers across Fife and Forth Valley can now request a Specsavers Home Visits appointment online, making it easier than ever to access hearing care and ear wax removal services at home.

To book an appointment or speak to a member of the Specsavers Home Visits Fife and Forth Valley, visit www.specsavers.co.uk/home-visits/request-a-free-home-visit or call 01592 804147.