Seminars in Ageing: Impact of untreated hearing loss on healthy ageing

Dr Dona Jayakody

About the Presenter:

Dr Dona Jayakody is the Head of Brain and Hearing at Ear Science Institute Australia. In addition, she is also a Career Advancement Fellow at the Royal Perth Hospital Research Foundation, an Adjunct Associate Professor at Curtin University and a Director of the Australian Society for Medical Research. Dona’s research has contributed significantly to understanding the broad health impacts of hearing loss—particularly on cognition & mental well-being—and has influenced changes to clinical guidelines and policies nationally & internationally.

Her exceptional standing is recognised by 15 awards, including Superstar of STEM 2023-2024, STEM Ambassador, and Tall Poppy in Science 2023. She has received over $6.6m in research funding through national and international funding schemes. She has published over 50 research publications and presented at more than 70 national and international conferences.

About the Seminar:

Background: Hearing loss is a chronic health condition that significantly impacts healthy ageing in older adults. According to the World Health Organisation’s Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE) model, preserved hearing, visual, cognitive, psychological and locomotive capacities are vital for health-ageing. If untreated, hearing loss could impede healthy ageing in older adults. This seminar focuses on the impact of untreated hearing loss on cognitive health, mental distress and, psychosocial well-being and frailty in older adults.