Hearing Aid Center in Douglas

Wayne Murphy is a Nationally Board-Certified Hearing Instrument Specialist and an Audioprosthologist credentialed by the American Conference of Audioprosthology.  Growing up in the 1950’s in his hometown, Hazlehurst, Georgia, Wayne learned the importance of working hard along with his two brothers, Edward and Ronnie.  As a boy, Wayne worked mowing lawns and harvesting tobacco during the summer.  Wayne graduated from Jeff Davis High School in 1971 and began employment at a local textile factory.  In 1975, Wayne enlisted into the United States Air Force serving as an Ammunition Specialist Inspector for four years.  During his service, Wayne was stationed in Bitburg, Germany, and Eglin Air Force Base in Fort Walton Beach, Florida.  After honorable discharge in 1979, Wayne began a position painting and stenciling locomotives and box cars with CSX Railroad in Waycross, Georgia, until his introduction into the hearing industry.

While visiting his parents’ house in March 1983, a Hearing Aid dispenser came by to service his dad’s hearing aids creating Wayne’s curiosity about hearing.  Wayne witnessed the positive impact hearing aids had on his dad and especially his mom’s quality of life.  This experience led him to pursue a career in helping others receive the gift of better hearing, much like his parents received.  Wayne’s humble beginning as a hearing instrument specialist knocking on doors has flourished into purchasing a hearing aid business along with his wife, Shelia, in June 1997. 

In 1999, a group of 24 hearing aid dispensers gathered in Atlanta to discuss a partnership with an American Owned Manufacturer, Audibel.  Wayne and Shelia decided to join along with 19 other dealers, becoming known as the Audibel Atlanta Club and founding members of Audibel.  This unique opportunity has helped their practice grow larger over several years.  Audibel Hearing Aid Centers now has offices located in Douglas, Tifton, Valdosta, and Waycross.  In 2009, Wayne and Shelia were inducted into the Audibel Hall of Fame, an honor they cherish.  

Wayne’s motivation is watching the reaction after someone receives hearing aids; the pleasant surprise and joy expressed in their eyes once they hear comfortably and understand conversation once again.  He educates the hearing aid user and their family members on how hearing aids improve the brain’s ability to understand therefore helping them maintain better communication for years to come.  Wayne continues to ensure his patients’ hearing aids are performing their best throughout the hearing journey.

Wayne loves his family.   In 1977, he married his wife, Shelia, and they have a son, Jason.  Jason resides in Valdosta with his wife, Heather, and their fur baby, Cotton.  Wayne is happy Jason followed in his footsteps in the hearing aid profession.  Along with his wife, Shelia, Wayne enjoys traveling to the mountains and Destin beach.  When not spending time with family, Wayne enjoys restoring his 1972 Oldsmobile 442, riding motorcycles, tending his fruit trees, bowling, and improving his golf game. 

Shelia Murphy is an Owner of Audibel Hearing Aid Centers.  Shelia was raised on a farm in Hazlehurst, Georgia, with her two sisters, Becky and Vernice.  They spent many summers working in the tobacco fields with their daddy.  Shelia graduated from Jeff Davis High School, Class of 1977.  After graduation, Shelia married Wayne, while he was serving in the military.  They moved to Fort Walton Beach, where their only son, Jason, was born.  Shelia’s priorities were as a housewife and stay-at-home mom.  Upon returning home to Hazlehurst, Shelia began learning how to upholstery furniture with her grandmother.  After her grandmother’s retirement, Shelia started helping her father with his five chicken houses, gathering eggs twice a day.  Surprisingly one day in 1983, Wayne’s excitement and curiosity surrounding the hearing aid industry drew Shelia’s interest in supporting her husband’s passion, soon to become her own.

 In 1984, Shelia was hired as the Secretary in a Waycross hearing aid practice three days a week.  After her son started school, she began working more frequently until purchasing their own hearing aid practice, which became a full-time job with administrative and financial responsibilities.  In 2000, Wayne and Shelia decided to partner their company with Audibel.  Over several years of hard work, Audibel Hearing Aid Centers has expanded to 4 locations in Douglas, Tifton, Valdosta, and Waycross.   Shelia says the hearing aid industry is a fun, loving, and caring business that she is proud to be a part of.  She enjoys seeing the difference hearing aids make in someone’s life.  Mostly, Shelia loves interacting with patients and developing lasting friendships.  

Outside of work, Shelia enjoys weekly lunches with her sisters reminiscing and catching up on local news.  Shelia also looks forward to a manicure and pedicure at her favorite nail salon.  She loves spending quality time with her family and friends.  She thoroughly enjoys vacationing at the beach and mountains with her husband.

Ben Collins is a Georgia licensed Hearing Instrument Specialist.  Ben is originally from Newnan, Georgia.  While growing up, Ben moved multiple times, but finally, in 2012, he settled back in his home state in Douglas.  Ben graduated from Independence High School in Charlotte, North Carolina in 1988. Ben credits his parents for his strong work ethic and desire to help people leading to his decision to join the US Army following graduation. 

Ben began his law enforcement career as a Military Policeman.  During his four years of service, he spent time stationed in Germany. In 1992, Ben briefly worked with Douglas County Georgia Sheriff’s Office until joining the Georgia Bureau of Investigation in 1993.  He worked as a GBI Special Agent in both the Perry and Douglas Regional Offices for 25 years. During this time, Ben proudly served in the Georgia National Guard and did a combat tour in Iraq from 2005-2006 with the 48^th Infantry Brigade.  In addition, Ben eagerly served on the GBI Bomb Squad for eight years.  In 2018, Ben transferred from the GBI to the Georgia Department of Corrections Southeast Region, where he worked as a Special Agent until retirement in June 2022. Ben always prided himself on being the voice for victims in violent crimes and being able to help people in their time of need.

Shortly after retirement, Ben crossed paths with Wayne Murphy at Audibel Hearing Aid Centers in Douglas, Georgia that prompted a job opportunity.  Ben’s personal experience with hearing loss combined with his deep-rooted desire to continue helping people inspired Ben to join the Audibel team.  As a hearing aid wearer himself, Ben knew he could make a difference in people’s lives with hearing loss.  Ben loves when people realize there is help, and they can resume enjoying life with better hearing. Ben strives to educate people about hearing loss and improve their quality of life in his everyday work with patients.

Outside of saving hearing lives, Ben loves military history and enjoying time with his wife, Michelle, stepson, BJ Fussell, son, Beau, and daughter, Analeigh.