South-east Asia has a high prevalence of hearing loss, with around 400 million people affected. However, access to hearing aids is extremely limited, with less than one percent of those with hearing impairments using them. Although there are audiology clinics in the region, the quality of care provided often falls short of patient needs.
This is where Sharad Govil, 44, CEO of the audiology clinic chain Amazing Hearing can help. “When I started at National University Hospital in 2002, I observed that hearing aid manufacturers offered limited support to audiologists. This should include training, product troubleshooting, and overall collaboration. However, the primary point of contact was often sales representatives rather than qualified audiologists,” Sharad shares.
Upon moving to New Zealand for work, he noted that the adoption rate for hearing aids was higher as more audiologists were available.
Pioneering the role of international audiologist and product trainer for Swiss medical company Phonak in Asia, he played a pivotal role in introducing new hearing aids in Singapore. It gives audiologists and their patients more options.
“From a young age, I held a fascination for doctors and a strong desire to help others. Seeing my grandfather struggle with hearing loss when I was 16 left me feeling lost because I didn’t know how to help him feel better. Recognising the importance of hearing through my grandfather’s struggle, I ventured into the audiology industry. With my family’s support, I embarked on this fulfilling journey,” Sharad explains.
His 20-year career has seen him treat a diverse range of patients. “The youngest I’ve worked with was just three months old. It’s always heartwarming to see parents full of hope when they bring their newborns to the clinic. However, parents’ high expectations can make it challenging to deliver difficult news. Despite their anxiety, we provide comfort and reassure them that there is hope. If they receive the appropriate support and aid, these children can grow up as normal kids,” says Sharad.
At the other end of the spectrum, the oldest was 102 years old. His first experience with adult patients was in New Zealand. It taught him the importance of giving patients more time and focusing not only on treatment but also on holistic care.
“Treatment is like a product or medicine, but care encompasses the entire patient journey. It’s about empathising, understanding, and creating a safe space for them. In both age demographics, my patient care philosophy remains the same. We see ourselves as our patients’ audiologists for life.”
Sharad Govil on his role as an audiologist
One of Sharad’s greatest challenges as CEO was resisting the pull of self-doubt while creating a more patient-centric company culture, particularly amid a macroeconomic downturn. His clinic also faced a lawsuit alleging it sold faulty hearing aids. However, the court ultimately ruled in its favour, finding that the problems stemmed from misuse of the devices rather than any inherent defect.
“You have a shared vision, a boss, colleagues, and established processes to guide you in the corporate world. As a business owner, I had to navigate these turbulent waters alone, especially when taking over a business which was undergoing a lot of change. Nevertheless, I found an opportunity for self-growth, to learn more about myself and to pursue my purpose and values with even greater determination.”
Art director: Ed Harland
Videographer: Alicia Chong
Photographer: Mun Kong
Photographer’s assistant: Melvin Leong
Hair: Sarah Tan
Makeup: Keith Bryant Lee using Lancome
