Name: Andrea Sloan
Location: Hearing Instrument Specialist at ListenUP! Canada, Hamilton, ON
“Watching the family and the client interact post fit is the most satisfying part of my job. The look on the family members’ faces as they realize they no longer have to yell is an amazing sight to see.”
Life is literally a marathon for Andrea Lynn Sloan, Hearing Instrument Specialist at ListenUP! Canada.
“I am an ultra-runner with my favourite distances being 50 and 100 miles,” says Andrea. “I am currently training to run a 500 km race across Tennessee next July. Other than a list of directions and a time limit, you are on your own to get to the finish line!”
Here in Canada, in the Hamilton-Niagara region, Andrea also organizes local running races to help raise funds for community charities.
“In 2017, I and my co-race director organized the first 200-mile race in Canada called Sulphur Springs Trail Race with an over 50% finishing rate, and in 2018, The Chocolate Race will be in its 10th year with over 1000 runners from all over coming out to run for tasty chocolate treats.”
So, how did a running enthusiast like Andrea end up in the field of hearing healthcare? Being hearing impaired herself and interacting with some of her family members that are also hearing impaired inspired her to become a Hearing Instrument Specialist.
After studying Naturopathy in Germany, Andrea moved back to Canada where she studied to be a Hearing Instrument Specialist at George Brown College.
Andrea has been with ListenUP! Canada for two years and has already had many rewarding experiences with the company. One of the most satisfying moments of her career includes the impact hearing well has on the family members of the hearing impaired.
“Watching the family and the client interact post fit is the most satisfying part of my job,” says Andrea. “The look on the family members’ faces as they realize they no longer have to yell is an amazing sight to see.”
The National Campaign for Better Hearing provides even more opportunities for Andrea to change the lives of the hearing impaired and their family members. For every free hearing test taken through the Campaign for Better Hearing, $4.00 is donated towards the purchase of hearing aids for those who need them, but can’t afford them.
“The campaign helps to provide an opening to discuss hearing loss with all walks of life and for me personally, gives me a feeling of satisfaction when I can help someone hear who would not have been given the chance without this program,” says Andrea.
Are you ready to start your journey to better hearing? If you are a Canadian over the age of 18 who may have hearing loss, book a free hearing test with us today!
