When Audiolab Hearing Care Centre opened its doors in 1996, hearing care options outside hospitals were limited. Three decades later, the company has grown from its first Kuala Lumpur centre to a network of 24 branches across Malaysia.
Its newest centre in SS2, Petaling Jaya, marks both a milestone and a continuation of that original purpose: helping more Malaysians hear better, communicate better and live better.
Over the past 30 years, Audiolab has seen a shift in how Malaysians think about hearing loss. Once commonly regarded as an inevitable part of ageing, it is increasingly recognised as a health concern that can affect communication, confidence, work and relationships.
Awareness is growing, and more people are taking steps to look after their hearing. Yet many still wait years after first noticing a problem before seeking help.
“People often adapt without realising it,” says Mohd Nor. “They may ask others to repeat themselves or avoid conversations in noisy places. We want Malaysians to know that a hearing test should not wait until their hearing feels very poor.”
Early detection can give people more options and help prevent hearing difficulties from significantly disrupting everyday life. Audiolab encourages families to take part in the conversation, too, since relatives are often the first to notice a change.
Hearing loss is often associated with older adults, but hearing health matters throughout life. Children, young adults and working adults can also be affected. Exposure to loud environments and prolonged use of personal audio devices are among the reasons younger people should pay attention to their hearing.
Audiolab’s message is simple: hearing care is part of overall wellbeing, not something to consider only when difficulties become severe.
The company also hopes to change perceptions of hearing aids. Modern devices can be small, discreet and suited to different lifestyles. Audiolab’s audiologists take time to understand each person’s needs and explain possible solutions in accessible terms.
Audiolab works with leading hearing-aid brands, including Signia, Phonak and ReSound, to offer a range of hearing solutions. But Mohd Nor stresses that technology is only valuable when it makes a meaningful difference in someone’s daily life.
Each recommendation begins with a hearing assessment and takes into account a person’s hearing level, lifestyle and communication needs. Support continues beyond the fitting, with guidance, training and follow-up care to help customers adjust to their devices.
“Our approach is to combine advances in technology with personalised professional care,” Mohd Nor says.
Audiolab’s work extends beyond its main centres. Through community outreach and mobile hearing screening programmes, its mobile audiometry unit visits schools, government agencies, offices and communities across the country. The company also operates satellite clinics, including at Klinik Dr Hj Othman in Kangar and Klinik Bakti in Kuala Pilah.
Partnerships have helped bring screenings and hearing support closer to people who might otherwise struggle to access care. Audiolab has worked with organisations including Lions Club Seremban, ZUS Coffee and Grab, as well as schools, government bodies and corporate offices.
Some initiatives have provided hearing aids to people facing financial barriers, including lower-income families and workers whose jobs depend on hearing. Through a collaboration with Grab, selected delivery partners received hearing aids; Audiolab has also supported ZUS Coffee team members with hearing difficulties.
“For us, these are not just CSR activities,” says Mohd Nor. “A hearing aid can make a real difference to someone’s ability to communicate, work and stay connected with family and community.”
The opening of Audiolab’s 24th centre in SS2 strengthens its presence in Petaling Jaya and reflects a broader effort to make professional hearing care more accessible.
As the company celebrates 30 years, its ambition remains rooted in the same purpose that began in 1996: reaching people who need help and making it easier for them to take the first step.
“When someone tells us they can hear their family better, communicate more confidently at work or simply enjoy conversations again, that is the real impact we want to create,” says Mohd Nor. “Thirty years is not the end of the journey. It is the beginning of a new chapter.
"As we celebrate 30 years of Audiolab, we want to continue doing more than providing hearing solutions. We want to make sure that better hearing is accessible to people who need it, regardless of their background or financial situation."
