A big thank you to Specialist Audiologist Janelle Jones who has retired after four decades working within the NHS – spending over three of those decades in Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust’s audiology department.

Janelle joined the trust in 1976 as a dental nurse, based at the Shelfield Clinic, but after discovering an interest in audiology went on to train and later join the department – becoming a qualified audiologist in 1981.

Based at Walsall Manor Hospital, she could be found carrying out hearing tests, fitting hearing aids and offering a variety of support around hearing health – treating both adults and children.

The 60-year-old said “It’s been particularly great working with the children. You can meet a child who is completely deaf and can see the worry that it is causing the family, but after fitting them with hearing instruments you can instantly see the transformation and how grateful the parents are for your help.

“The advancements in technology have meant that we as healthcare professionals can really improve the quality of life for patients and that’s been really satisfying.”

Janelle also remarked on how fantastic it is to see patients grow and develop.

“I see people regularly over a number of years and watch them come on in leaps and bounds – it’s really lovely. Some of my patients have grown so much that I’ve now treated some of their children!”

When asked what she’d like to say to her colleagues she replied: “Thank you to everyone for being so supportive throughout my career – time has gone by so unbelievably quickly.

“I’ve been really lucky to be a part of such a wonderful team but I’m now looking forward to spending more time with my grandchildren.”

Best of luck Janelle!