Daniel Balicki (L) treats many elderly people, but says the younger "MP3 generation", too, is suffering from hearing problems. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Polish audiologist helps thousands of Chinese reconnect with the world of sound. Zhang Xi listens in.

One of the best parts of his job is improving the quality of life of his patients, says Daniel Balicki. "Sometimes you get a bit bored with your work, but then you meet a patient who starts crying after you fit hearing aids for him. He can now hear his granddaughter's laughter," Balicki says. "Or I meet a 4-year-old boy who was fitted with hearing aids two years ago, and I can see he is smiling, talking and answering questions as if he had never had hearing loss," says the 35-year-old audiologist and co-owner of New Wave European Hearing Solutions Company Limited in Shanghai.

Through his work he has been able to meet interesting people, he says, who have so many amazing stories to share, especially the elderly, who make up most of his patients.

"Just imagine that every day you have an opportunity to talk to somebody who witnessed things and events you could just read about in books," he says.

Balicki was born and raised in a small town, and graduated with a master's degree in science in physics from the University of Poznan in 2003. He continued his studies at the University of Wroclaw to earn a certificate in audiology and hearing prosthetics.

After working for many years as an audiologist in hospitals and hearing-aid fitting centers in Poland, Balicki came to China in February 2006. He continued to work as an audiologist, with the added role of product manager for the Shanghai branch of GN ReSound, the world's largest manufacturer of hearing aids.

He had never worked outside of Poland before, and suddenly his duties as training manager were taking him all over Asia,including Singapore, South Korea and Malaysia.

"I did not originally have a plan to come to China," he says, "but when I was looking for a change in my life, the unexpected job opportunity arose," he says. "Honestly, coming to China turned out to be one of the best decisions I have ever made."

After working for such a major international company, he decided it was time to branch out and start his own company.

"I wanted to have a more direct impact on the hearing impaired population in China by not only fitting hearing aids to patients but teaching them how to do it. So I established New Wave together with my like-minded Norwegian friend Peter Buvik Vibe."

The company provides hearing tests and consulting services to adults and children.

Balicki believes that his new company can be successful because of the "major shortage of professional audiologists in China, and it is not an officially recognized profession yet".

"The Chinese population is getting older and one of the challenges is to make sure they can have enough professionals to provide them with the level of services they deserve", he says.

He says more time may be needed before mainstream Chinese better understand what an audiologist does.

"Some of our patients went to see the doctors first, but doctors are not specialized in hearing testing and are especially not trained in fitting hearing aids. This my job," he says.

"This is the difference between China and Europe. Back in Europe, people who have problems with hearing go see an audiologist first and then, after being diagnosed by the audiologist, they go to see the ear, nose and throat doctor if there is the need.

"Here in China, due to the lack of audiologists, people go to see the doctor. But as the awareness of the society about importance of hearing is increasing, more and more people are looking for professional audiologists, not only ENT doctors."

Building a new company is always a challenge, especially when its services are relatively unknown. But word is spreading quickly.

"People know about us from our advertising but also because of our very good reputation," he says. "We also organize seminars about hearing and explain to older people how they can take care of their hearing. And we also go to schools.

"It is crucial to educate kids about how important hearing is in their life, and how to protect it. Especially now when some specialists already call the young people the 'MP3 generation'. This generation has the highest loss of hearing than ever before."

As well as their normal daily business routine, Balicki and his business partner offer their services at nurseries and nursing homes free of charge.

"We are always very happy to do that as we get a lot of appreciation for our work. It even happened once that one old lady sang a song for us. It just made me feel that my work is really worth something," he says.

"I believe that if China would open more to small businesses run by young people you can only benefit from it. We can both learn from each other and create a unique co-operation model.

"I believe with our knowledge and experience we can really make a difference."

You can contact the writer at zhangxi@chinadaily.com.cn.

Daniel Balicki (L) treats an elderly people with hearing problems. [Photos provided to China Daily]