About Sue Falkingham
Sue Falkingham started her career in Audiology at Bradford Royal Infirmary in December 1990.
Routes to qualification were very different in 1990 and Sue worked her way through an ONC and HNC as well as her professional exams with the British Association of Audiology Technicians.
One thing Sue has always been dedicated to is continued professional development and she self funded her degree at the University of Leeds, completing her Bachelors of Healthcare Science in Audiology Studies in 1997.
Developing her special interest in Adult Hearing Rehabilitation Sue continued her studies to become a Hearing Therapist by completing a Diploma at The University of Bristol in 2021.
Looking for new challenges and developing a love for teaching and coaching other Audiologists, Sue left Bradford to become a trainer for a company introducing digital hearing aids and the equipment required for the NHS to fit those types of aids around the U.K.
Working for 3 global hearing aid manufacturers over the next 16 years has helped Sue develop a wide ranging knowledge of products, product development and production techniques in the hearing aid industry.
With a unique career pathway Sue knew she needed to register with the Health and Care Professionals Council in order to be able to work in the high street sector of U.K. Audiology. NHS trained Audiologists, of Sue’s vintage, must have a separate qualification to get on this register and in 2013 Sue completed a conversion qualification at Aston University.
Professional Activities
The largest professional body for Audiologists in the U.K. is the British Academy of Audiology. Having been a member of the BAA Board for 10 years Sue was proud to lead the BAA as President from 2017 -2019. Following her Presidency Sue was awarded Honorary Lifetime membership of BAA for her commitment to the Audiology Profession.
Sue is also a Principal Fellow of the British Society of Audiology. This was awarded in 2020 to recognise commitment to the BSA which is the learned society in audiology.
Currently Sue is a Trustee with the British Acoustic Neuroma Association, having been asked to join their board of Trustees in 2025. This is a small charity dedicated to supporting those diagnosed with a rare brain tumour.
An acoustic neuroma (vestibular schwannoma) is a brain tumour that accounts for a small percentage of all brain tumours. Acoustic neuromas are benign (not cancerous) and usually, but not always, are slow growing. Some may grow and then stop growing altogether.