Dean Laird spends his days helping people hear and communicate with their loved ones. His connection to the Fleurieu region spans over 20 years from spending time with his extended family who own and operate a commercial Carob Plantation at Port Elliot. Over the years Dean has grown to love the area and its offerings as well as many people in both the business and general community who he now regards as great friends. Married with five children and owner operator of his own business, we enjoy a chat to this busy man.

You are the director and a clinician at My Hearing in Victor Harbor. Is it unusual for a director or such a practise still be a clinician? I imagine it is very time consuming!

We certainly are kept very busy!

In the Audiology profession it is not that unusual to have independent owner operators offering unbiased advice and best hearing care services including hearing devices produced by all manufacturers from around the world. My experience particularly in this community is that people prefer to deal with truly local independent South Australian businesses as they know the money is reinvested in the region. Not many people understand that virtually all hearing care businesses in the region are owned and operated by National chains or global hearing aid manufacturers.

Have you always worked in the hearing field? What was it that developed a passion for this industry?

Having a hard of hearing grandfather and seeing he and our family struggle to communicate easily over the years prompted me to change my study from Optometry to Audiology. Seeing him gradually isolate himself from social activities and family gatherings and his general health decline really hit home for me and it really motivated me to change career direction.

You live locally. Have you always lived in this part of the Fleurieu?

We spent many weekends over 20 years at the family Carob farm and moved from Adelaide in 2016.

I now commute between or Victor Harbor clinic and Kings Park Clinic in Adelaide.

What is it that makes you proud of the place you work and? There must be many feel good moments in your line of work. What’s your most memorable?

In my profession I am so lucky to have feel good moments just about every day! The satisfaction we see when someone is able to interact with their loved one’s again is like gold. It can be emotional at times and I have many stories of how patients due to the gradual nature of some hearing losses did not realise the extent of their hearing difficulties. It is rather moving and fulfilling when there is tears of joy in the sessions.

On a more personal note, tell us a little about Dean and what you love to do out of work.

When and that’s a BIG WHEN I get some free time, I like to go fishing and relax with friends or the family. I also enjoy family holiday trips particularly in Australia and just relaxing pottering in the garden.

I also am a fan of the Crows and love going to Adelaide Oval for the footy and cricket.

Anything else you would like to share?

BTW. Although my son is an Adelaide Crows player we still welcome Port Power supporters!

YOUR TOP TIPS for the Fleurieu Peninsula / Kangaroo Island:

Best place to....

• Grab a quick bite…Grosvenor Hotel / Yilki Store
• Have a more serious feed…Flying Fish
• Get a cuppa… Anchorage
• Have a beer (or cold drink)…Grosvenor Hotel
• Taste some wine (or just enjoy the winery atmosphere)...Kangaroo Island Spirits
• Go for a dip…Boomer Beach
• Explore nature…just walk along the beach from Middleton to Goolwa

When I’m on the Fleurieu and/or KI, I…

• feel…relaxed and out of the rat race
• always make sure I visit… KI Seafoods
• stock up on… KI Seafoods (anything fresh!)

Weirdest thing that’s happened to me here:

Going into a hard lock-down

Best memory of being here:

Sitting back having a cold wine or beer at the end of the day at the farm on the deck watching the sun set over Goolwa and the Coorong.

Most colourful character I’ve run into:

Would be Andrew Hill Grosvenor Hotel publican. Always quick with his service, with and a joke!

My best piece of advice for anyone heading to the region: 

Take 3 or 4 days minimum if possible so you can unwind. Don’t just rush down for a day or two if you can. This will allow some time to relax / swim / surf, head to a winery, eat out at a few quality places and take in a few of the sights.

Any links for further information/social media links for you & your business?

www.myhearingcentre.com.au