Team Spotlight: Q&A with Nathan Lowe – Introduction to the Hearing Series
- May 18
- 2 min read
Q: Can you tell us a bit about your background?
Nathan: I’ve been an audiologist with The Hearing House since 2024. I’ve worked in audiology since 2018, after completing my Master of Audiology at University of Auckland. I’m passionate about helping people from all walks of life communicate more effectively.
Q: What were you doing before your master’s degree?
Nathan: I went straight from my undergrad into my master’s. Before that, I had quite a mix of jobs—working as a sailmaker for six years, spending time in London working as a waiter, bartender, and SCUBA instructor, plus earlier roles in hospitality around Auckland and a stint in the Whitsundays.
Q: What led you to choose audiology as a career?
Nathan: My undergraduate degree was in psychology and analytics. Audiology appealed to me because it combines counselling skills with the ability to measure and understand physiological responses to sound.
Q: What’s the best part of your job—and the biggest challenge?
Nathan: The best moments are when someone leaves an appointment feeling more connected and supported in their hearing journey. The most challenging part is supporting people as they adjust to changes in how they experience sound, which can be a complex and personal process.
Q: You explain complex hearing topics very clearly—why do you think that’s important
Nathan: I’ve seen friends and family go through the health system, and while clinicians are always excellent, there’s often a lot of complex information to take in. I try to keep that in mind and make explanations as clear and accessible as possible for my kiritaki/clients and their whānau.
Q: What can viewers expect from your video series?
Nathan: I’ve put together a three-part series for our clients and anyone considering hearing aids or cochlear implants. It provides a simplified explanation about how the hearing system works and what these devices do to help you access sound.
Q: What advice would you give someone considering a career in audiology?
Nathan: Audiology is a broad field. I’d recommend shadowing in different settings—public hospitals, schools for the deaf, charities like The Hearing House, balance clinics, and private practices—to get a feel for the range of work available.
Q: What do you like to do outside of work?
Nathan: Plenty of TV watching, if I’m being honest! But I also like reading, cryptic crosswords, pub quizzes, tramping, cooking, and board games. I volunteer monthly on Rotoroa Island clearing walking tracks, and I enjoy travelling with my partner, who’s a travel editor.
I’ve done a lot of dog-sitting in the past but that’s about to change as we now have our own dog, Sheldon – he’s settling in really well.
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