Meet the Audiologist: 9 questions with Connect Hearing Scarborough's Leen Masannat | Connect Hearing
Meet the Audiologist: 9 questions with Connect Hearing Scarborough's Leen Masannat | Connect Hearing
10 min.
Publication Date: May 26, 2021
In honour of May Better Hearing Month, we spoke with one of our audiologists to learn more about what it's like to be a Hearing Care Professional today. Read the interview below.
Meet our Audiologist Leen Masannat
Leen is new to the Connect Hearing team but brings a wealth of knowledge & diverse experience in the hearing healthcare industry. Hailing from Jordan, Leen previously worked for Advanced Bionics, where she travelled to different countries in Africa and the Middle East to provide cochlear implants for those in need. She moved to Canada last year and has been helping clients at Connect Hearing for the last 8 months. Read on to learn just exactly why Leen loves helping people with their hearing, what it was liking starting a new job in a new country during a pandemic, and why she thanks her mom for getting her into audiology in the first place. Read her full interview below!
1. How long have you been an audiologist?
I’ve been working as an Audiologist for 5 years. After doing my masters in Audiology in the UK, I worked as a MENA regional clinical specialist with Advanced Bionics (AB) in Jordan, a company that provides cochlear implants. I just moved to Canada last year and have been working at Connect Hearing’s Scarborough Toronto clinic for the last 8 months! All-in all, it has been 5 years of practicing audiology.
2. Wow! Are you enjoying working for Connect Hearing? And how have you found Canada so far?
It is a whole new life! Never experienced degrees below zero as here in Canada! I really enjoy being a member of the Connect Hearing family. Early in my career I worked with hearing aids, hearing testing and counseling patients. It’s quite different than what I used to do at AB; I got to travel to different countries to help audiologists and cochlear implant recipients with different backgrounds and experiences. This allowed me to understand, connect and build good rapport with my patients which is essential in our line of work and for my career as an audiologist. It’s only been 8 months so far, but I’ve already learned so much. Every day, every person that comes through the door is a new opportunity for me to help, and that’s what I love.
3. Why did you decide to become an audiologist?
It’s actually thanks to my mother! When I was finishing high school, I didn’t know what I wanted to do next. However, I always loved volunteering, and I jumped on any opportunity I had to help people. So, when I was trying to figure out what I wanted to pursue as a career, my mother helped me research, and stumbled upon audiology. Honestly, I had never heard of it before as it’s not very common in Jordan. I decided to give it a try and after my first semester of school I realized that I had found my passion. It suits me so perfectly. I love that I found my fit, and it’s all thanks to my mom!
4. What is your favourite part of your job at Connect Hearing?
Well, for example, today I had a follow up appointment with a patient that I had fit with hearing aids two weeks ago. She came into the clinic and said, “Thank you so much, you’ve changed my life”. Then she laughed and told me, “Now my children can’t whisper and keep secrets from me anymore!”. To see the positive impact on her life and the people around her is truly my favourite part of my job.
5. How would you describe the feeling at your clinic?
We are supportive of one another as a team. We show professionalism working together to create a comfortable atmosphere and to provide the best service to our clients. We are here to help.
6. What are the most common challenges or aversions you deal with from clients towards taking care of their hearing?
Client with hearing loss tend to feel like they can postpone wearing hearing aids until their hearing loss worsen. I do find it helpful when they are accompanied by a family member. In which the family member actually understands and witnesses the affect of hearing loss on client’s life. In a way, they can validate the issue.
I also see a lot of clients that think the hearing aids make them feel old. Others believe that being dependent on hearing aids will worsen their hearing loss and will not give their ears a chance to heal. I find counseling to be effective in helping clients understand the benefits of early intervention with hearing aids and how wearing them will have a positive impact on their quality of life.
7. What do you do when a client comes in feeling frustrated with their hearing?
I carefully listen to the clients concerns to address them. I explain the science and functionality of hearing aids and that there is always a solution that fits their needs. I show understanding and support as this will be a journey that we will walk through together.
8. Outside of Connect Hearing, what do you like to do for fun?
Food! Food for me is number one! Just tell me about a new restaurant and I’ll be there. My husband and I also love to explore and go hiking. Any chance we get to go to unique places and see incredible views, we’ll take it.
9. What are you looking forward to doing post-pandemic?
I can’t wait to go back home and see my family. We’re really close and it has been tough being far away from them during this pandemic. My sister just had a baby girl named Celine and I can’t wait to see her.
Take care of your hearing
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