This article is part of the Journal’s special section “Women in Business,” which celebrates modern career women on the island.

For Stacie Baisch of Island Hearing Healthcare, operating a business is about caring for clients.

“I had no idea how fun and gratifying the process of helping people overcome communication barriers would be,” she said.

Baisch, who always had an interest in biology and the science of sound, earned a bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and disorders from Western Washington University in 2002 and a doctor of audiology degree from Northwestern University in 2006. While at Northwestern, she focused her research on emerging hearing aid technologies and speech understanding in complex acoustic environments. After completing studies for her clinical doctorate, she finished an “externship” with a neurotology specialist in Seattle, providing diagnostic services for patients suffering from hearing and balance disorders and rehabilitative services for hearing aid and cochlear implant recipients.

Baisch refers to her many years of hitting the books as a major endeavor. Her advice to young women who want to pursue higher education is to “always be bold and believe in yourself, but take the time to make specific goals and a financial plan. Developing a feasible game plan is so important when taking on such an expensive and time-consuming commitment.”

After her studies, Baisch returned to the San Juan Islands to open Island Hearing Healthcare in Friday Harbor. She knew if she wanted to live in paradise she would have to open her own business.

“It was a necessity in order to live where I wanted to! San Juan Island is my home and I have been so fortunate to work in this community,” said Baisch.

At Island Hearing, she continues to pursue her interests in hearing aid technology and has developed a program that helps maximize the benefit of new technologies.

“I believe that easy access to professional services allows for maximum benefit and satisfaction when using hearing aids,” she said.

Baisch has established a local, independent hearing clinic that gives her the freedom to choose the latest technologies from any hearing aid manufacturer as well as the flexibility to customize the fitting and acclimatization of each hearing aid to the individual patient. She works in conjunction with primary care physicians, otologists and physical and speech therapists to meet the goal of comprehensive care.

“There are many wonderful aspects,” she said about her job. “I truly care for the people who choose to work with me. Treating hearing loss can lead to an improvement in quality of life and connection to loved ones. Helping in this way gives me great joy.”

Baisch now provides diagnostic and rehabilitative audiology services on San Juan, Orcas and Lopez Islands. To schedule an appointment, call 378-2330 or email islandhearing@gmail.com.

For more info, visit www.islandhearing.net.