Davies expands neurology services with appointment of hearing screening specialist

Davies Veterinary Specialists has expanded its neurology service with the appointment of neurology technician Julia Freeman, a leading exponent of the Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response (BAER) screening test.

Julia will not only enable Davies to provide a Hearing Assessment Clinic for dog and cat breeds on screening programmes and individuals where hearing loss is suspected but will also support the Linnaeus-owned small animal referral hospital’s neurology, ophthalmology and dermatology teams with enhanced diagnostics.

Julia was a neurology technician at the Animal Health Trust for 31 years, until it closed in July 2020. With colleagues there she helped to develop and implement BAER testing as a screening process in animals at risk of congenital deafness. This is now recognised as the Gold Standard in deafness testing by organisations such as The Kennel Club and various breed clubs in the UK.

Her role at the AHT involved providing a hearing screening service, hearing assessments and electrodiagnostic investigations as well as running education and communication projects and contributing to a number of important peer-reviewed studies.

Julia said: “I am so happy to be starting a new chapter at Davies.  It is really exciting to be establishing the Hearing Assessment Clinic here and continuing to provide this important service both to previous clients and new ones.  I am also looking forward to developing a successful, constructive working relationship with my new colleagues.”

Tim Richardson, Managing Director of Davies said: “We are delighted to welcome Julia to the team at Davies. As one of the UK’s leaders in this highly specialised field she enables us to offer hearing screening, hearing tests and electrodiagnostics across the relevant disciplines, at the very highest level.”

Davies is open and continues to support referring practices and patients.

Click here for more information on our Neurology service.

Image of Julia with patient courtesy of Oliloudalmatians.