Sheridan Flint with Isabella, one of her young patients.
NORTH ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA—Rarely is a hearing healthcare practitioner singled out from all the other professionals in a country to receive a national honor. But that’s what happened to Sheridan Flint, MS, the audiologist been named 2013 Young Professional of the Year in Australia.
The annual award honors someone under 35 years of age who demonstrates a high level of achievement, as well as commitment and innovation through professional endeavors.
Flint, at age 30, is senior audiologist at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital in North Adelaide, South Australia, where she works with deaf children and teenagers who wear cochlear implants.
Originally trained as a speech pathologist, she enrolled in post-graduate studies in audiology after discovering that her vocation was to support people who have profound hearing loss.
In addition to her day-to-day work, she volunteers much time to advancing audiology as a board member of the Audiology Australia Federal Executive Council.
In announcing the honor, Professions Australia stated that Flint had “demonstrated her dedication to the audiology profession through her active role in the her professional organization, mentoring young people and students, volunteering in the community, and as a role model for future young professionals.”
The honoree said that helping deaf children hear laughter, music, and the voices of their loved ones makes audiology a rewarding career. She added, “My favorite part of the job is also the hardest part – when families find out their child is hearing impaired and being there to support them along the way.”
The award presentation ceremony will take place in November in Brisbane.
