Why Isabelle has no regrets about joining Specsavers

L–R: Isabelle Batty and Audiology Partner Nicole Thors

For Isabelle Batty, audiology has always been more than just a career, it’s personal.

“My initial interest in audiology came from my own experience,” she recalls. “When I was in primary school, I was assessed for learning delays and found to have CAPD. That planted the seed for me to study audiology at La Trobe University in Melbourne.” In fact, Isabelle was part of La Trobe’s first ever audiology cohort. Soon after, Isabelle began her professional journey in Shepparton. “I was surprised at how much I enjoyed working in a regional setting,” she says. “I realised that going back to Melbourne wasn’t for me, so in 2021 I moved to Hobart. It’s the perfect balance of city, beach, and country life all within twenty minutes.”

After several years working as an audiologist, Isabelle knew she was ready for something new. That’s when Specsavers entered the picture.

Breaking down perceptions

Like many audiologists, Isabelle had heard mixed things about Specsavers. “The audiology rumour mill is always spinning,” she says. “I thought it had to be too good to be true, surely there were extra  KPIs, or the hearing aids weren’t up to scratch, or you just couldn’t run an audiology business inside an optical store.” But feedback from family friends who had been customers, and from peers who had already joined Specsavers, started to change her mind. “The people I knew who’d made the move kept raving about the hearing aids, the freedom of choice for customers, and the improvement to their work/life balance. The positives were too hard to ignore.”

Having made the move to Specsavers, Isabelle says, has been nothing short of “a no regrets career change.”

“I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to become part of the team. My stores are full of enthusiastic people who genuinely support each other. Seeing their pride in working for Specsavers made me feel I was joining a workplace making a difference.”

The onboarding process stood out for its thoroughness. Isabelle says it gave her the chance to connect with Professional Services and other new audiologists: “By the time I began in clinic, I felt confident with the products and systems.”

Isabelle credits her business partner, Nicole and the team with making the transition smooth. “Nicole had already built a strong audiology foundation with our support team. They helped me with all the little hurdles at the start. Now we’re a strong unit, building each other up and working cohesively.”

The power of the partner/clinician model works!

Unlike partnership, Isabelle’s role as an employed clinician offers a different perspective, but one that’s proving highly rewarding. “As an employed clinician, I see how business decisions are made, and how my goals fit into the bigger picture. I also take on tasks outside of direct clinical work, which keeps the role diverse and interesting as I’m not very good at being bored!”

She believes that the partner/employed clinician dynamic ultimately benefits customers. “Having autonomy means I can tailor care to each person’s needs, without rigid structures. It creates more meaningful connections and better outcomes.”

Customer care comes first

Isabelle has always considered herself a customer focused audiologist, and she says the Specsavers model makes that a natural fit. “Specsavers builds customer care into the way we work.  Appointments aren’t a copy and paste schedule, which means I can take longer when needed – whether that’s comparing different technology options or supporting someone with more complex needs.”

Plus working in a small, tight knit team only strengthens that connection. “Because it’s just Nicole and me working clinically, there’s great continuity of care. I can build genuine relationships with my customers and give them the time and space they need. That makes my work far more fulfilling.”

The difference that it’s made

For Isabelle, the benefits of joining Specsavers extend well beyond the clinic room. “My fittings are more successful because people can access technology that truly works for them, rather than settling for subpar options due to cost. That means better outcomes for customers, and more satisfaction for me as a clinician.”

She also values the flexibility Specsavers provides. “I can move my day around depending on customer needs and my own. And things like access to Headspace, birthday leave, and Professional Services support – it all makes you feel valued.” Most importantly, she says, it’s given her balance. “I don’t spend hours after work troubleshooting technology problems that can’t be solved. That means I go home with a clear head. The difference to my work/life balance is huge.”

Advice for other audiologists looking for a change

Isabelle’s message to other clinicians considering Specsavers is clear: keep an open mind!

“You’ve probably heard the same things I had, but the reality is, positively, very different. Specsavers gives you professional and clinical support, great technology, and the chance to focus on customer care, all while being part of a collaborative model.”

And if you’re hesitating? “Don’t wait. If you’re looking for variety, balance, and customer focus, reach out to the team now. We rarely regret action, but we do regret inaction. I definitely had that thought: ‘Why didn’t I make this change sooner?’”