Dona Mariyesa Priyanwada Jayakody, PhD, FICDA
Associate Professor- Clinical and Research Audiology
I am a visionary, bold, and resilient leader who unites professionals to achieve shared goals. I cultivate a positive work environment where team members feel empowered to tackle clinical and research challenges head-on. By promoting collaboration and inspiring creativity and innovation, I guide my teams to excel and make a meaningful impact.
Research Interests
As the research lead, I designed the Australian Cognition and Hearing Loss (ACHLOS) program, providing leadership and direction to answer crucial questions on impact of hearing loss on healthy ageing. My ACHLOS Program has contributed significantly to our understanding of the broad health impacts of hearing loss—particularly on cognition, frailty, psychosocial & mental well-being—and has influenced changes to clinical guidelines and policies nationally & internationally.
My current research interests are:
1. Impact of hearing loss on healthy ageing
2. Impact of hearing loss treatment (hearables, hearing aids, hearing implants) on cognitive, mental and psychosocial well-being of hearing impaired older adults.
3. Barriers to accessing hearing services, the impact of hearing loss and hearing rehabilitation on Indigenous older adults.
4. Hearing equity for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Australian seniors: association between untreated HL, cognition, and mental health, and barriers to hearing healthcare in CALD older Australians.
5. Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) survey and Training for hearing healthcare professionals, memory clinicians and General Practitioners to support older adults with hearing & cognitive decline.
6. Commercialisation: objective hearing test and prototype of a hearing device suitable for hearing-impaired older adults at risk of dementia.
Awards & Recognition
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Finalist- WA Community Achievement Awards-Inclusion and Diversity Category, Awards Australia, 2024.
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Finalist-Women of Colour in STEM-Rising Star, STEM SISTERS, 2024.
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Superstar of STEM (for promoting STEM activities nationally)- Science Technology Australia, 2022- 2024.
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STEM Ambassador (for championing STEM among policymakers nationally)- Science Technology Australia, 2021- 2023.
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WA-Tall Poppy in Science, Australian Institute of Policy and Science, 2023.
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Nominee-WA Community Achievement Awards- Local Legend (for excellence in promoting healthy ageing in the community), Awards Australia, 2023.
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Dr Harry Blackmore Award (for contribution towards increasing hearing loss awareness in the community), Deafness Foundation, WA, 2020.
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Future 500 Women's Governance Scholarship to complete the Diploma in Business Governance from Institute of Community Directors- May 2019.
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Certificate for the top most downloaded paper in 2018-2019 in Clinical
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Otolaryngology Journal, Wiley Publishers, 2019.
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John & Eileen Haddon Memorial Award- Interesting and Innovative Research in Geriatrics- Rebecca L Cooper Foundation, 2020.
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Certificate for the ‘Top cited manuscript in Clinical Otolaryngology Journal, Wiley Publishers, 2019.
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Best Scientific presentation-ECR- RPH Annual Research Symposium, 2019.
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National Award for the contributions made to the National Cochlear Implant Program in Sri Lanka, 2006.
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Best Student award - Masters in Audiology & Speech Language Pathology, Institute of Speech & Hearing, Bangalore, 2006.
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Dr N. L. Sitaraman Gold Medalist Award, Masters in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, University of Bangalore, 2005.
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First Rank Holder Award, Masters in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, University of Bangalore, 2005.