The Power of Reconciliation in Audiology

Reconciliation is a key driver allowing us to right the wrongs of the past and address inequities in the present facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. But what does embedding reconciliation into our work and lives look like on a day-to-day basis? And how will it lead us to a future where a disproportionate number of the population are no longer confronted with high rates of hearing loss, infections and ear disease?

To discuss this topic further, Audiology Australia (AudA) sat down with AudA Accredited Audiologist Ashleigh Dyson and Palawa woman, Ear Health Coordinator Katie Edney from the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS).

Ashleigh and Katie work together at VAHS, providing culturally appropriate hearing care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients. Both also contributed to AudA’s new training session on Working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Families, which both audiologists and allies across hearing healthcare can take for free, with the chance for audiologists to earn 1.5 CPD points.

AudA Accredited Audiologist Ashleigh Dyson and Ear Health Coordinator Katie Edney.

AudA: Okay, first, what does reconciliation mean to each of you?

Katie: Oh, it’s obviously about building relationships with community and the staff that I work with, and just focusing on addressing things that affect the community in general. Obviously with me and Ashleigh, it focuses on audiology and helping the community out in that aspect.

Ashleigh?

Ashleigh: Yeah, again, just working together in a team environment and growing together as well. And reflecting on where everyone’s come from and where we’re trying to get to.

Practically, what does embedding reconciliation principles into your work look like on a day-to-day practice?

Ashleigh: I guess just asking the question about people’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status when they first come in. And having Indigenous artwork in the clinic helps it to feel more welcoming as well for everyone.

Katie, do you have anything to add?

Katie: Ensuring that everyone’s treated equally, across all the diverse cultures that come through our doors.

Ashleigh: It’s about being flexible in your work as well, just appreciating that everyone’s got different barriers to coming in.

Katie: Yeah.

Last year you both took part in Audiology Australia’s training session. Can you just tell me how that came about?

Katie: I was asked by a representative from Audiology Australia if I wanted to partake in the training, and I was also asked if anyone else would want to join me. Ashleigh was one of the first people that I thought of and I approached her to see if she could do it. And we just went from there.

Ashleigh: I work at VAHS, but I also work in Bendigo. So, I have the metro insight and the regional insight as well, and I thought I’d have a good perspective.

Have you both taken part in any educational activity like that before, or was that your first time?

Ashleigh: That was my first time, yeah.

Katie: Mine as well. I mean I’ve been to conferences, but not actually worked in the education space.

Ashleigh: We’ve just been on the receiving end, I guess.

Katie: Yeah, exactly.

Because National Reconciliation Week is this week, if our readers can, why do you think it’s worthwhile that they try to attend an event or activity?

Katie: For anyone that wants to attend, they’ll benefit from learning about the cultural aspects of their nearby Indigenous communities. For communities it’s about the recognition. They’re great experiences for everyone.

Ashleigh: It’s great to learn about the history of your local community’s culture and where they come from, but also how we can grow from that, by learning from them and coming together as well.

Just to go back to the two of you working together as a team … When you look at what reconciliation is supposed to be about and the theme for this year, Bridging Now to Next, there’s an obvious answer here, but why’s it so important that we tackle these issues together, both Aboriginal and Torres Islander people and non-indigenous people?

Katie: For a lot of people, it’s obviously about the recognition, but it’s also about the education. If people take the time to learn more about our past and what we want going forward, it’ll be a lot more smooth sailing down the track for future generations. If we can get the support and equality, then we can eradicate discrimination and stop being treated differently in the workplace… or in any other place.

Ashleigh: Spaces where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients can come in and feel comfortable are important because they are then more likely to get their health outcomes sorted and addressed. Obviously, what helps are workspaces where Indigenous and non-indigenous people are there, multidisciplinary teams who are working together to close the gap.

Where would you like to see Australia move towards in terms of closing the hearing health gap? What does that image of the future look like to the both of you?

Katie: At the moment, there are services available for older generations but not for the younger members of our community. I would like to see more services made available and multiple places where people can go to access these services.

Ashleigh: Yes. Overall, reducing the incidence of ear disease, particularly in kids, by ensuring that kids can easily access services will mean that it’s not ongoing and affecting them as they get older.