Coming from a regional city, where word of mouth travels fast, Hearing Rehabilitation specialist Holly Sprakel is building more than a business.
Through Sound Audiology, she is creating a culture of empowerment for her patients, her team and the next generation of health professionals.
“I really like women empowering women, I like empowering people,’ she said.
“I think part of our clinic philosophy is about empowering our patients. Knowledge is power.”
In what has traditionally been a male-dominated profession, Ms Sprakel has seen a shift not just in numbers but in mindset.
“It’s becoming a little bit more feminine now,” she said
“All of my team in Mount Gambier are females.”
But for Ms Sprakel, it’s not about exclusivity – it’s about fostering confidence, leadership and opportunity.
Encouraging and mentoring younger clinicians is something she feels strongly about, especially as her own journey into audiology wasn’t paved with certainty.
“I never thought that I was capable,” she said.
“Especially when I was at high school, I didn’t even apply into audiology because I didn’t think I was capable – let alone running a couple of clinics.”
“Don’t limit your possibilities and don’t limit your capabilities,” she said.
“Anything is possible, especially if you seek help and seek advice and reach out to those around you.”
That willingness to reach out has shaped her career.
“Probably the biggest thing I’ve learned is success doesn’t happen alone,” Ms Sprakel said
“You need help. You need good people in your corner.”
When she first arrived in Mount Gambier, she didn’t know anyone, but building a professional network from scratch could have been daunting, but Ms Sprakel embraced collaboration as the foundation of growth.
“We do a lot of collaboration with other allied health in town – doctors, speech OTs,” she said.
“I came to Mount Gambier, I didn’t really know anyone, but there’s been a lot of collaboration.”
Through partnerships with GPs, speech pathologists and occupational therapists, Sound Audiology has expanded both its visibility and its services.
“The exposure and again, knowledge is power – getting the word out there and expanding services,” she said.
Ms Sprakel’s love for collaboration extends far beyond the Limestone Coast as she has built connections with fellow audiology clinic owners across the country.
“I’ve got some really incredible mentors over the years,” she said.
“I’ve met a lot of really good people and a lot of really good fellow audiology clinic owners across Australia. “There’s some in Tasmania, Melbourne, New South Wales, I’ve met them everywhere, and that’s just talking and collaborating.”
Those networks became particularly vital during the challenges of COVID-19, when lockdowns in Victoria tested her resilience.
I have learnt a big journey being in Victoria through COVID times and lockdowns. That was really tough.”
“There were a lot of really good people in my life that I lent on,” she said.
The experience reinforced what she already believed – that no one succeeds alone.
“If you can help others to achieve – I love success. I love watching people succeed,” she said.
“A happy workplace is a good workplace, and anyone’s going to work well in that environment.”
Looking ahead, Ms Sprakel was passionate about opening doors for others considering a career in audiology.
“If anyone’s interested in knowing about audiology, studying audiology, the whole industry – our doors are always open,” she said.
“We’re happy to chat, we’re happy to share. We’re happy to just expand our knowledge and expand our team.”
