Miss-Delectable
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Audiologist goal for deaf student Tapanui woman studies for masters - Local News - The Southland Times
A 29-year-old Tapanui woman is on her way to becoming New Zealand's first deaf audiologist.
Melanie MacKenzie has a profound bilateral hearing loss and is studying for a Masters in Audiology at Canterbury University.
She was recently awarded a $15,000 scholarship from the National Foundation for the Deaf, and has just over a year of study before completing her masters.
"I don't know why I'm the only one. Maybe people that are deaf don't think they can get that far ahead with their career," she said.
She was 13 when she became hearing impaired and was given hearing aids.
"The last thing you want when you're 13 is to be fitted with hearing aids. There was such a stigma attached to them," she said.
Her hearing got worse during the next 10 years as she struggled through high school and university.
Motivated by a part-time job working with people with disabilities, she pursued the path to audiology.
She said she would face challenges including listening tests and checks on hearing equipment.
"I guess I will have to be creative," Miss MacKenzie said.
Four years ago she lost virtually all hearing and was fitted with a cochlear implant.
"It's not actually a cure but I can hear much better. It's still not perfect and sometimes I struggle in noisy situations," she said.
Mobile phones were good because they had volume buttons, and when she needed some peace she could take her hearing processor off, Miss MacKenzie said.
"It helps when I'm studying." Miss MacKenzie said her disability would help her understand others trying to cope with hearing loss.
"It can be really lonely and isolating when you can't hear, but it doesn't have to be the bane of your life," she said. "Because I've been through all the stages, from moderate to severe hearing loss ... I feel I can emphathise with people and provide a greater level of insight, and effective hearing suggestions to hearing-impaired people."
A 29-year-old Tapanui woman is on her way to becoming New Zealand's first deaf audiologist.
Melanie MacKenzie has a profound bilateral hearing loss and is studying for a Masters in Audiology at Canterbury University.
She was recently awarded a $15,000 scholarship from the National Foundation for the Deaf, and has just over a year of study before completing her masters.
"I don't know why I'm the only one. Maybe people that are deaf don't think they can get that far ahead with their career," she said.
She was 13 when she became hearing impaired and was given hearing aids.
"The last thing you want when you're 13 is to be fitted with hearing aids. There was such a stigma attached to them," she said.
Her hearing got worse during the next 10 years as she struggled through high school and university.
Motivated by a part-time job working with people with disabilities, she pursued the path to audiology.
She said she would face challenges including listening tests and checks on hearing equipment.
"I guess I will have to be creative," Miss MacKenzie said.
Four years ago she lost virtually all hearing and was fitted with a cochlear implant.
"It's not actually a cure but I can hear much better. It's still not perfect and sometimes I struggle in noisy situations," she said.
Mobile phones were good because they had volume buttons, and when she needed some peace she could take her hearing processor off, Miss MacKenzie said.
"It helps when I'm studying." Miss MacKenzie said her disability would help her understand others trying to cope with hearing loss.
"It can be really lonely and isolating when you can't hear, but it doesn't have to be the bane of your life," she said. "Because I've been through all the stages, from moderate to severe hearing loss ... I feel I can emphathise with people and provide a greater level of insight, and effective hearing suggestions to hearing-impaired people."
