Helping others hear

Since completing her audiology degree in 2010, international graduate Fadwa Alnafjan still applies what she learnt at Flinders on a regular basis throughout her flourishing career in health.

Ten years may have rolled by, but the memories of arriving in Adelaide from Saudi Arabia with dreams to pursue a Master of Audiology remain strong.

“I definitely apply what I learnt at Flinders on a regular basis, as it provided me with a solid foundation for every aspect of being an audiologist,” she says.

“During the course, there was an emphasis on everything, not only the science behind it but how to approach problems and the importance of the clinician/patient relationship.”

Like all Flinders audiology students, Fadwa aspired to improve the quality of life for people with hearing and balance issues across the lifespan.

Fadwa was attracted to the structure of Flinders’ Master of Audiology program because of its problem-based learning (PBL) tutorials which helped prepare her for the clinical placements in a way that traditional teaching styles couldn’t.

“The structure of the course truly shaped how I approach clinical situations, particularly difficult ones,” she says.

“I found the lecturers to be very flexible and their support was always of an exemplary standard. From my experience, I felt it is truly an institution where the students come first.”

After graduation, Fadwa returned to Saudi Arabia and applied the skills she learnt to a clinical audiology position she held for two years before realising her passion for Cochlear implants, small electric devices that can restore hearing.

She discovered many unanswered questions in the rapidly evolving field, leading her to travel back to Australia to undertake a research degree at Macquarie University investigating Cochlear implants.

Fadwa is still living in Sydney, Australia, working as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow and an Adjunct Associate Lecturer.

Her love of research and determination to go the extra mile was inherited from her father, who achieved a high school degree in his twenties and didn’t stop until he reached a PhD.

“My father, he built himself up from very small beginnings through education,” Fadwa says.

“He always emphasized that education is the passport to the world, the smartest investment, and a key to liberation.”

Fadwa’s childhood aspirations are close to her current reality – she always wanted to have a career helping people.

Her clinical work and research as an audiologist have helped scores of people look after and even restore one of life’s greatest gifts – the ability to hear.

“Being an audiologist and a researcher did fulfil my childhood career goals. The audiologist side allows the interaction with people and directly helping them to contribute towards a better quality of life,” Fadwa says.

“While the research side allows me to work on very exciting ground-breaking projects that will also hopefully help others in the long term through evidence-based research.”

The audiology team at Flinders is known for being smaller compared to other cohorts, allowing students to build relationships with lecturers and each other.

The connections Fadwa made during her studies left a lasting impression.

“I feel very privileged to be a part of the Flinders Alumni community,” she says.

“The thought of being connected to a wealth of academics, researchers and clinicians from all around the world with whom I can collaborate with is very exciting and provides unlimited opportunities.”

Flinders international audiology graduate Fadwa Alnafjan.