How Rheanna is improving the hearing health of First Nations communities

Rheanna Beer is on one of the most meaningful missions of all: helping Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children on their journey to better ear and hearing health. The impact she has on young lives and futures is profound, and it’s made all the more meaningful by her own childhood hearing challenges. Find out how our First Nations Clinical Community Advisor is shaping a career that matters more at Hearing Australia.

Helping those who need us most

Rheanna Beer has long known the value of good hearing health. In childhood and adolescence, she faced her own challenges with chronic otitis media - an ear disease that can cause short- and long-term hearing loss. Yet, the profound impact of hearing health on learning and quality of life truly hit home for Rheanna when she helped one young child on her hearing journey. 

“There was a little girl I saw at one of our HAPEE (Hearing Assessment Program - Early Ears) clinics. Her speech was really behind, and it was due to her ear health,” Rheanna recalls. “After she was fitted with a listening device, she went from being able to speak just a handful of words at age four to nearly 35 to 40 words within a couple of weeks - all because she could hear properly.” 

Rheanna’s eyes are bright with emotion as she reflects on this unforgettable moment: “If the HAPEE program didn’t exist, this might never have been picked up for that young girl. It’s more than a job when you’re changing people’s lives like that.” 

As a Clinical Community Advisor, Rheanna is dedicated to working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to reduce hearing loss and increase ear and hearing health awareness. And as a proud Plangermaireener and Trawlwoolway woman, whose mob is from eastern lutruwita / Tasmania, it’s a cause she holds especially close to her heart. 

“To work with community and mob as an Aboriginal woman, travelling to places and connecting with Country is incredible. I get to chat with elders in the community, so I’m learning about my own culture, too. It’s a real privilege.”

A career that matters more

Rheanna is often the first step in a person’s journey to better ear and hearing health. Hearing Australia is the only provider to offer government funded hearing checks to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children not yet attending full time school, which Rheanna delivers with care as part of HAPEE. 

“Hearing loss has so many flow-on effects. It can affect a child’s speech, development and friendships. They might be deemed ‘naughty’ in the classroom, but it’s not that they’re not listening - they actually can’t hear well. So, working with communities to understand the signs of hearing loss means you’re not only doing something great now; you’re helping kids in the future. It’s something that really lights my soul on fire.” 

Each day is different for Rheanna, who is often on the road, travelling between communities. She relishes the variety of her role and is so passionate about her work, it seems she was born for it. Yet, a career in hearing health was not initially part of her plan. 

“I feel like the universe put Hearing Australia in front of me at the perfect time. I was 19 and studying for my business certificate, and saw they were offering a Customer Service Officer traineeship for an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander candidate. So, I applied and was lucky to get the role. 

“I learnt so many skills and was mentored by some great people. Especially being a young Aboriginal woman, coming into a welcoming workplace with such strong values around diversity and inclusion was amazing. And everyone is just so passionate about what they do.”

After completing her traineeship in 2018, Rheanna progressed to the role of Community Hearing Advisor. Her willingness to go the extra mile saw her promoted to Clinical Community Advisor with our First Nations Services Unit in 2022. 

“I would never have imagined this career for myself, but I just love it. I feel like I’m helping Hearing Australia take these important resources to communities that just weren’t available when I was growing up. I’m so grateful for the growth opportunities I’ve had here.”

A journey to better

When Rheanna looks to the future, she feels a mixture of positivity and pride. As a key contributor to Hearing Australia’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), she’s confident we’re on a journey to even better - for the people we serve, and for the people who make our organisation so special. 

“I think Hearing Australia is leading the way with cultural safety. The goals we’ve set in our RAP might be high, but we should be aiming high, and it’s exciting to see that we’re actively persisting for change.” 

For now, Rheanna looks forward to continuing to collaborate with communities to reduce the rate of hearing loss and empower those who need us most. 

“I want to help skill and train Aboriginal workers in community so that the hearing screening system continues well into the future. Even one day when I have babies - and that’s a long way off! - I’d love to go to my local Aboriginal health service and know there will always be hearing screening options for my children.”

This content features real employees of Hearing Australia, sharing their own personal comments, views, opinions, and individual experiences of Hearing Australia.