An audiologist has been recognised after helping a patient with hearing loss ‘live life to the full’.

Robert Beiny, who works at the Hearing Healthcare Practice in Harpenden, claimed the title of European Audiologist of the Year 2017, just weeks after being announced as the UK Audiologist of the Year.

He picked up his award during the Evening of Excellence, which was held during the EUHA congress in Germany this October.

The judges were “inspired” by the impact Dr Beiny has had, and continues to have, on his patient Christine’s life over the past 15 years.

Christine, who has severe to profound hearing loss in both ears, believes she wouldn’t be where she is today with his support after being able to work in public service for 46 years and “living life to the full”.

She said: “I still remember my first impressions of how kind, sympathetic, calm, reassuring, competent and knowledgeable Robert was and, 15 years on, I can certainly say that impression was spot on.”

When circumstances changed in her career, Christine was referred to Dr Beiny by her NHS audiologist to see if anything further could be done to help her.

She was “reluctant” at first but, after their first meeting, she was fitted with the latest technology and hasn’t looked back since.

She added: “I think the most important thing he gave me on that first outing was hope. He kitted me out with two brilliant radio aids and radio mics, and, using his vast network of contacts he managed to come up with a way to connect my aids to the office phone system – 15 years ago, this was breaking new ground.

“What a difference. I could hear things I hadn’t heard for 20 years – blackbirds, trickling water, and crucially, my clients.”

Speaking about his award win, Dr Beiny said: “I’m stunned and honoured to have won the European Audiologist of the Year Award.

“It’s particularly exciting to be recognised in the Award’s 10th anniversary year.

“But this Award is really not just about one person, it’s recognition of the ethos of my whole team at the Hearing Healthcare Practice.”