Emma moved to Auckland for her primary school years, from the Manawatu. After completing high school at Rosehill College, Emma completed a Bachelor of Science at the University of Auckland. This was immediately followed by further studies, a Master of Audiology, directing her career path.
Upon graduation Emma worked in the public health sector. Initially at Waikato Hospital, where she became Charge Audiologist. When Emma returned to Auckland it was to Starship Hospital as the Charge Audiologist, then to the Manukau SupeClinic. It was at the Manukau SuperClinic where Emma met Mr Michel Neeff, Otolaryngologist, which later led to the current positioning of their complementary businesses in the same building.
In 2002 Emma opened her first private audiology clinic – Russell Hearing, in Manurewa. Later clinics at Greenwoods Corner and Botany Town Centre were added, and it became a (very) small chain of clinics. This business was sold in 2012, and Emma worked at SoundSkills, assessing children for Auditory Processing Disorder.
By 2014 Emma was missing adult private audiology, and the opportunity arose to open a new clinic. And Boutique Audiology was born! Initially Emma carried out both the audiological and administrative roles, but as time has gone by the business has grown, and so have the staff at Boutique Audiology.
Emma’s enjoyment in her profession has grown with time. While she takes pleasure in offering her clients technology that is smart and effective (when Emma first worked, hearing aids were not digital, and were adjusted using a screwdriver), the real enjoyment comes from getting to know her clients.
Emma lives with her husband (also an audiologist), and three teenage children. She has recently developed a fierce passion for playing bridge, so if she’s not at work, she’s probably at the Mt Albert Bridge Club.
“My philosophy is that no hearing aid problem is too small to tell me about. I may not be able to fix it. But, if you don’t tell me about it, you never give me the opportunity!”