How a moment of empathy sparked an NHS worker’s dive into tech entrepreneurship

When Michelle overheard an elderly gentleman struggling to hear his daughter on a phone call, she witnessed more than just a technical challenge – she saw isolation and frustration etched across his face. That moment of empathy sparked the creation of Hearease, a startup dedicated to enhancing lives through cutting-edge hearing technology.

From NHS to entrepreneur

"Before founding Hearease, I built a long and rewarding career within the NHS," explains Michelle, who began working at Ipswich Hospital in 2004. "In 2008, I transitioned into the field of learning disabilities and mental health – a role that has deepened my understanding of patient needs, communication challenges, and the importance of person-centred care."

Michelle continues to serve within the NHS while building her business – a dual role that has significantly influenced Hearease's mission and design philosophy.

A lightbulb moment

The catalyst for Hearease came from a simple observation that revealed a profound problem.

"The lightbulb moment came when I overheard an older gentleman struggling to hear his daughter on a call," Michelle recalls. "He kept turning the volume up, switching ears, even moving around for better reception – but nothing helped. What struck me wasn't just the struggle, but the frustration and isolation on his face."

That observation led to a crucial insight: "I realised then that it wasn't just about hearing loss – it was about connection, dignity, and everyday communication. That moment sparked the idea for Hearease: what if hearing support could be built for modern life, starting with the devices we already use most – our phones?"

Breaking barriers through innovation

Hearease is now developing a phone attachment that helps eliminate background noise for people in hospital beds, on construction sites and in other busy work environments – addressing a practical need that affects many people's ability to communicate effectively.

The project recently received a significant boost when Michelle was awarded a £5,000 grant from Barclays Eagle Labs and Suffolk County Council, providing vital funding to help bring her invention to market.

Learning from scratch

Despite having no technical background, Michelle committed to solving this problem. "I just saw a problem that needed solving and became obsessed with finding a way to fix it," she says. "That meant diving headfirst into a world I knew nothing about."

The journey from concept to prototype took three years of determination and self-education. "I had to learn everything from scratch, often through trial and error, and through the kind support and encouragement from the innovation lab," Michelle acknowledges.

Support from Innovation Labs

A key factor in Michelle's success has been the guidance provided by Innovation Labs, where mentors Peter Basford, Hermione Way, and Peter Brady have played a crucial role in helping her develop both technical skills and business acumen.

"I have so much gratitude, thanks and appreciation for the guys at the innovation lab – without them I do not feel I would be where I am today," says Michelle.

Peter Basford , co-founder of Innovation Labs and Director of the Start, Build & Grow programme that supported Michelle from an early stage, speaks highly of her:

It's been a pleasure working with Michelle. She came to us with a fantastic concept and idea, but had exhausted as much as she could do. We have supported her in moving the idea forward and given her advice and guidance to move things forward. This has included a grant and regular meetings with the team at Innovation Labs to build momentum.

The relationship will continue beyond the initial programme: "We are excited to see the next steps for Hearease and will look to continue to support Michelle even once the programme comes to a conclusion," adds Basford.

Overcoming obstacles

Developing the Hearease prototype presented numerous challenges, particularly for someone new to product development.

"One of the biggest challenges was balancing powerful sound processing with a compact, comfortable design – especially since users didn't want something bulky or medical-looking," Michelle explains. "We also had to ensure the device worked seamlessly with phones, which meant dealing with compatibility issues."

Sound quality proved especially difficult to perfect. "It wasn't enough to make things louder – it had to sound natural and adapt to different environments, from noisy cafés, train stations, and building sites to quiet living rooms."

Despite these hurdles, Michelle persevered. "There were moments when it felt like we were chasing the impossible, but through relentless testing, feedback from friends, and a lot of late nights, we pushed through."

Family as motivation

Behind Michelle's entrepreneurial drive lies a powerful personal story.

"As a mother and grandmother, my family has been the driving force behind my entrepreneurial journey," she shares. "Losing my husband at a young age shaped my resilience and deepened my sense of purpose."

This personal loss strengthened her determination to create something meaningful. "I've always wanted to provide a stable and secure future for my children and grandchildren – not just financially, but by showing them the value of perseverance, innovation, and believing in your own ideas."

Moments of validation

After years of development, seeing the prototype work effectively has been profoundly rewarding for Michelle.

"One of the most rewarding moments came when a friend tested the prototype and experienced a noticeable improvement in their ability to hear clearly on phone calls," she says. "They reported that the sound quality was sharp, consistent, and far better than anything they'd tried before."

This validation confirmed that her vision could genuinely improve lives. "In their words, they 'can't wait to get their hands on the final version' – a strong validation that all the time and effort invested into development has been worth it."

Finding her voice

As Michelle prepares to take Hearease to market, she's also had to develop new skills in public speaking and business pitching.

"I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the incredible members of Toastmasters at Halo in Stowmarket for their unwavering support on my public speaking journey," Michelle says. "Their encouragement and honest feedback have been invaluable as I prepare to pitch my business to a wider audience."

She particularly credits members who provided personal mentorship: "A special thank you goes to Paul Graham and Rob Southin, whose guidance, patience, and belief in me have made a lasting impact. Paul, your support has given me the confidence to share my story with clarity and passion."

Looking to the future

With the recent grant funding, Michelle is now poised to launch fundraising efforts as she seeks to secure the investment that will enable her to transition Hearease from prototype to production and take it to market.

"In the next 3 to 10 years, I see Hearease growing into a trusted name in hearing technology – not just as a product, but as a movement that redefines how people think about hearing support," she says.

Her immediate focus is market entry, but the long-term vision is expansive: "Looking ahead, I envision Hearease expanding into a full range of smart, stylish, and discreet hearing solutions that integrate seamlessly with everyday devices."

Above all, Michelle wants to create technology that removes stigma while improving lives: "Ultimately, my goal is for Hearease to become a global brand that empowers millions to stay connected, confident, and in control of their hearing health – without stigma or compromise."

The bottom line

Michelle's journey from NHS worker to tech entrepreneur demonstrates how empathy can drive innovation. Through determination and a willingness to step outside her comfort zone, she's created a solution that addresses not just hearing difficulties but the human need for connection and dignity.

As she puts it: "The most rewarding aspect of this journey so far has been seeing a simple idea – born from empathy and everyday observation – transform into a real, working product that can genuinely improve people's lives."

Her advice to other aspiring entrepreneurs captures the essence of her own journey: "Believe in your vision, even when the path ahead feels uncertain. You don't need to have all the answers at the start – what matters most is your willingness to learn, adapt, and keep going when things get tough."​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​