By Esther Lauaki
What’s your connection to Sunbury?
I’ve always worked in the area. I’m now practising audiology in Sunbury.
What are you passionate about?
I’m passionate about helping people in my community.
You run a new audiology clinic in Sunbury. Tell us about how you became an audiologist.
I got into audiology because I’m a people person and I wanted to work alongside people. You get to do all aspects of hearing healthcare and the follow up care as an audiologist. I perform hearing checks, fit people with hearing aids … I’m a jack of all trades and it’s good to be involved in all aspects of the field.
How important is it for us to get regular hearing checks?
I think there are a lot of misconceptions out there about protecting ears against hearing loss. At the moment, it takes most Australians seven to 10 years to acknowledge they have hearing loss before they do anything about it – if they do anything at all. I have personally seen so many cases where hearing loss affects a person’s confidence and independence. People become embarrassed at having difficulty joining in on conversations, so they back away from social engagements and start to become isolated. It’s about educating people about hearing and teaching them how to preserve it.
What other hats do you wear in the community?
I sponsor Sunbury Bowls Club. The club has a big presence in the community and I want to be a part of that.
What’s something people don’t know about you?
I played multiple instruments as a child and that’s likely how I became interested in hearing, because I love to listen to music and I can’t imagine not being able to hear those instruments.
What do you love about Sunbury?
The people and I love that it’s not that far from the city.
What do you think could be improved?
There are some audiologists in the area, [but] no one offers just specialised audiology services. I’m glad that I can be here for people in that way. There is a need for it in this community.
