Meet Ruwanthi Rajapakse, Senior Audiologist at Hearing Australia

Ruwanthi Rajapakse has been with Hearing Australia for over eight years, currently working in Victoria as a senior audiologist.?

Her duties in a typical day include performing diagnostic hearing assessments, audiological management and fitting a range of hearing devices including assistive listening devices. An understanding of the listening needs of a diverse range of clients is required for her to provide tailored rehabilitative care in the form of effective communication strategies and discussions of realistic expectations to empower the client’s ability to manage and improve their hearing needs.?

Ruwanthi also actively works with carers, parents and other external support people to help develop mutual communication goals and communication training for those with complex needs (severe-profound losses, vision impairments and other disabilities).

One of her main reasons for getting out of bed each morning is knowing that each day she can make a purposeful and positive difference, big or small, in the lives of her clients- so they can actively engage in conversations with others and their loved ones. She also looks forward to seeing her teammates who she can always lean on or share a laugh with as they work together to support each other and provide the best care for clients

Ruwanthi recalls many lovely memories she’s shared with her clients daily, including the simple moments of seeing them smile and the joy across their faces when they can hear clearly and participate confidently in conversations after the struggle of hearing loss for so many years. She loves seeing how this impact extends to family members, who also take a moment to thank her.

Recently one of the elderly clients she’d seen for years took the time to make some beautiful knitted hangers to show her appreciation. Ruwanthi shared how good it felt knowing she had made an impact in this woman’s life after all these years, even with the severity of her hearing loss.

She would strongly encourage others to join Hearing Australia for an opportunity to work and expand on their clinical and analytical skills with a range of clients (voucher, NDIS and private), including children, young adults and those with more complex needs. She also discussed the opportunities to build on leadership skills and take on roles to contribute to your team and support new graduates. She further emphasises the benefits of accessing the wealth of knowledge, training and ongoing support from the expertise of fellow Audiologists across Hearing Australia to enhance and develop your audiological career and make a positive and meaningful impact to those with hearing loss.