Residents of Nhulunbuy will be able to hear better now that Audiologist Peggy Aguirre has passed her Australian eligibility exam.
Mrs Aguirre has worked as an Audiologist in the United States for over 30 years but moved to Nhulunbuy in November after her husband got a job as a safety consultant for Rio Tinto.
Foreign-trained Audiologists must undergo an exam to assess whether their skills achieve the standard set by the Audiological Society of Australia.
The exam is made up of two 3-hour sittings of rigorous questions relating to the profession.
Ms Aguirre passed with flying colours.
She said that she and her husband enjoyed moving from San Antonio, Texas to Nhulunbuy.
"We're really having a great time. We knew it was a remote town before we moved here and so the biggest hassle is the grocery store," Mrs Aguirre laughed.
"I was put to work straight away on a short term contract with NT Hearing Services before I took the exam. The way Audiology is practiced in Australia is very different to the US - here I do the diagnostics and Australian Hearing supplies the hearing aids while in the States I would do both.
An Audiologist diagnoses and manages hearing problems and can prescribe hearing aids or provide hearing protection equipment to prevent hearing loss.
NT residents of all ages are eligible for a hearing test through NT Hearing Services - no doctors referral is necessary. Self referrals are accepted, but must be in writing so an appropriate appointment can be scheduled.
Audiologist Peggy Aguirre is practicing at the Community Health Centre in Nhulunbuy's Endeavour Square.
Appointments can be made by phoning 8987 0436.
Media Contact: Cameron Jackson, DHCS Media Liaison Officer 0401 116 144
Release date: 27 June 2008
