The power of collaboration: Who we work with at Hearing Australia

We help anyone and everyone who needs us. From empowering First Nations communities in Tasmania to children and families in Newcastle and more, our dedicated team makes a profound impact across the country. Through their collaborative approach, innovative research and commitment to inclusivity, they bring the joy of sound to Australians, no matter who they are. We asked some of our people who they collaborate with to make a difference.

Q. Who do you support and empower in your role?

Rheanna Beer, Clinical Community Advisor, Tasmania - “I support the Aboriginal communities in Tasmania. I’m constantly talking with families and elders and empowering Aboriginal health workers to help kids and families with ear and hearing health.”

Sandeep Babbar, Head of Applications, Macquarie Park - “In my role I’m responsible for the software delivery and application throughout the organisation. I also lead three teams and work closely with the CIO on delivering IT strategy for the business. Our goal is to provide hearing services for anyone, anywhere, anytime. What we’re doing is building the foundation so that our services can thrive.”

Q. What difference does Hearing Australia make in people’s lives and in our communities?

Rheanna Beer, Clinical Community Advisor, Tasmania - “The way Hearing Australia co-designs services is awesome. Hearing Australia actively listens and wants to work with communities on what they want because it looks different everywhere you go. We actively go out to communities and ask, ‘What do you need? What do you want? How can we help?’ You can’t tell people what they want and need - you need to go and ask. Hearing Australia is open to listening and understanding what people and communities want.”

Matt Croteau, Research Audiologist, National Acoustic Laboratories (NAL) - “We are in a fortunate position as we have the freedom to explore solutions for small segments of the population who don’t currently have the service or technology they need. We have the chance to do things that others may not be doing. 

“One area we’ve been studying is unilateral hearing loss. We’re about to go into our third study. Unilateral hearing loss affects a small population. Tech devices do exist to help, but they haven’t been very effective or innovative. This is our chance to improve technology in an area that many others aren't working on. We’re actually developing tech that doesn’t yet exist, which will eventually go on to help people.”

Q. Who do you collaborate with? Why is collaborating with industry partners, communities, government bodies and organisations important?

Rheanna Beer, Clinical Community Advisor, Tasmania - “We collaborate with so many health services and initiatives. We go to schools with the Listen to Learn program and we also collaborate with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations. We work in conjunction with Ear, Nose and Throat Specialists and Speech Therapists in the community. At the end of the day, we’re all working towards positive outcomes for people’s ear and hearing health.”

Madeleine Pearson, Audiologist, Newcastle - “We collaborate with everyone, from health clinics, early childcare and government organisations to Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations. We collaborate so we can bring about change. Change not just for one person, but for their families and communities.”

Matt Croteau, Research Audiologist, National Acoustic Laboratories (NAL) - “We’ve got a lot of people from different disciplines at the National Acoustic Laboratories (NAL). We have project managers, audiologists, engineers, behavioural scientists and speech pathologists, all working on different studies in different ways. Some projects are big and have a multidisciplinary team of 10 people, whereas others might have one or two, depending on what is appropriate for the end goal. We all work together really well, and if you need to ask for help, it’s always there.”

Q. Can you tell us about the people you work side by side with? What difference does being part of a good team make for you?

Matt Croteau, Research Audiologist, National Acoustic Laboratories (NAL) - “We have really supportive leaders who empower us to set and achieve our goals. They have such a high level of expertise, and they’re incredibly friendly as well. It makes it an enjoyable and stimulating place to work.”

Ebonie Dickson, Customer Service Officer, Hobart - “Our team is quite settled; we’ve all been together a while now. We can have a laugh together and do the occasional social thing outside work. We are really good at sharing ideas and communicating while treating each other respectfully.”

Rheanna Beer, Clinical Community Advisor, Tasmania - “In the work I do as part of our First Nations Services Unit in Tasmania, I never feel alone. My colleagues constantly reach out. I also have a catch-up with my manager every morning. There’s that constant connection. We look after one another and help each other when we can. We also have some good banter and like to have a laugh. Even if it’s a coffee and a yarn over a computer screen, there are always opportunities to come together.”