I was 52 when I registered the business that would one day become Blamey Saunders hears, a hearing aid company with a difference.

I consider myself a Social Entrepreneur. Blamey Saunders was to be, and is, a profit-for- purpose company with the overarching goal to make premium quality hearing aids more accessible in both cost and service provision.

Blamey Saunders had to be a high tech company leveraging off earlier work and knowledge. At the time, my four children were approaching the expensive part of their education – University – and my husband didn’t have a job. So, while laying the groundwork for a disruptive business, I had to have a day job.

Five years later, at 57, I took the leap and became CEO of Blamey Saunders hears. My business partner, Professor Peter Blamey – a genius inventor, took the role of Technical Director.

My venture could be perceived as a risky long shot; the hearing aid industry has been dominated by a handful of powerful multinationals. But it paid off, and today I am fulfilling my teenage dream to help people hear.

My company has developed hearing aids that you can personalise yourself, using a smartphone or computer after taking a scientifically validated online hearing test. The test shows how well you hear speech sounds, and results are used to set up the hearing aids. The user can then personalise them further if they want to, to their listening preferences. They can up to four different special programs if they choose. This is very handy if you have a noisy workplace, or a need to hear extra well if you are, say a teacher.

This innovative business model is possible because of innovative product design and modern technologies – the internet and low power, miniature computer chips.

I have been able to put together a very talented and diverse team of 30, spread over two sites. Our business model provides choices; hearing aid systems can be purchased over the internet, with home delivery; by click and collect, which provides some help; through one of our ‘one hour’ hearing aid sessions round Australia, or in one of our full service clinics.  We can tune people’s hearing aids for them over the internet if they wish. All clients hearing records and hearing aid settings are stored in our eCloud, so if they lose their hearing aid we can look after them seamlessly, wherever they are.

I am richer beyond my wildest dreams – not in cash, although I have a reasonable salary, but in the stories from hundreds of our clients and the knowledge that our work has changed the lives of thousands of people.

Starting a high tech medical device business in Australia was a risk, but I couldn’t be better rewarded. At 62, the future is exciting.

Image source: The Age