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.
