OCT/NOV 2026
Proposed federal law reforms could impact all audiology businesses
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PROPOSED BAN ON NON-COMPETE CLAUSES COULD RESHAPE EMPLOYMENT IN AUDIOLOGY Proposed federal laws banning non-compete clauses for workers earning less than $190,100 could have significant ramifications for hearing care practitioners and audiology practices. The Federal Government plan to ban non-compete clauses for most Australian workers could potentially make it easier for staff to move between practices and secure higher-paying employment. Draft legislation released on 7 September 2026, to take effect from 2027 if legislation passes, would prohibit non-compete clauses for employees earning less than $190,100 per year. This aligns with the Fair Work Act high-income threshold. The reforms also seek to limit other forms of restraint clauses that can restrict workers’ ability to change jobs. Employment and Workplace
Relations Minister Amanda Rishworth said the government wanted to remove barriers preventing workers from pursuing better opportunities. “Non-compete clauses drag down wages, handcuff workers, and put a handbrake on labour productivity,” she said. Jane MacDonald, Hearing Business Alliance CEO, told HPA the draft legislation “could impact all audiology businesses”. “While greater workforce mobility may benefit employees, some HBA members have expressed concern about unintended consequences the draft legislation may have for small and medium-sized audiology businesses,” she said. “These businesses invest significantly in recruitment, relocation, training, professional development, equipment, systems and building a patient base.
The government says non-compete clauses drag down wages and handcuff workers. Image: Tanaonte/ stock.adobe.com.
“The impact could be particularly significant in regional and rural areas, where losing one clinician can substantially affect business sustainability, workforce capacity, and service delivery and continuity. Business protection should ensure client lists and intellectual property remain protected.” Audiology Australia CEO Leanne Emerson supported the move for audiologists while noting that “some circumstances may warrant a more considered and
proportionate approach”. “The proposed ban reflects a legitimate concern,” she told HPA. “These clauses can significantly restrict an individual’s ability to change jobs, increase their income, develop their career or establish their own business. “For audiologists, this is particularly important. Employment opportunities may be concentrated within a particular geographic area or among a relatively small number of employers. “A broad restraint can therefore have significant consequences, potentially requiring a practitioner to relocate, accept less suitable employment or step away from their usual area of practice.” This could particularly affect early and mid-career audiologists continued page 8
The average taxable income for an audiologist in Australia was just under $100,000 in 2023-2024, according to the latest salary data released by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). The ATO also revealed that otorhinolaryngologist medical specialists, also called ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgeons, remain among the nation’s highest-paid professions, with males earning $692,000 on average. In all categories, as in previous years, females earned less than their male colleagues. Information from tax returns filed by 3,537 Australian audiologists including 2,646 females and 891 males revealed the average taxable income overall for both genders
combined was $99,790. Female audiologists earned an average of $22,459 less than their male counterparts; being $94,132, compared with $116,591 for male audiologists. But for professions where a greater proportion work part-time, such as audiology, this can skew salaries down so when comparing between men and women, it may not necessarily be a like-for-like comparison. Wages were higher for audiologists than the average Australian salary. The average taxable income for Australians in 2023-2024 was $78,127 overall including $90,221 for males and $65,833 for females. The latest data, revealed by the ATO on its website in June
2026, showed that audiologists’ wages jumped on average nearly $3,000 from 2022-2023 when they earned a taxable wage averaging $96,892. Tax returns from 133 otorhinolaryngologists or ENT surgeons revealed that 104 males earned $692,009 on average. In comparison their 29 female counterparts earned nearly $278,000 less each or $414,774. The overall average earnings for otorhinolaryngologists were $631,559. This was a jump of about $36,000 from the 2022-2023 average taxable income of $595,362. For comparison, male ENT surgeons earned more than male cardiothoracic surgeons continued page 8
Image: Bettina Turnbull.
AUDIOLOGISTS' AVERAGE INCOME $100,000
A transformative program Audiologist Dr Bettina Turnbull was the first Australian to become a lecturer for America’s ATSU University. She was earlier one of the inaugural Aussies to study the online Post-Professional Doctor of Audiology. Read her story and what the AuD changed for her.
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IN THIS ISSUE OCT/NOV 2026
EDITORIAL
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FEATURES
Growing a vestibular practice Tips from three independent audiologists to embed this clinical service.
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Phonak’s EON hearing aid platform has launched in Australia.
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Luna Park launch in Melbourne Signia’s new MaX hearing aids urge people to "live noisy".
GN’s ReSound Sensia and Beltone – the world’s smallest AI-powered hearing aids.
EVERY ISSUE 07 UPFRONT
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NEW FRONTIERS: BALANCE AND HEARABLES Hearing care is broadening and two areas that are opening up fresh opportunities for audiologists are vestibular care and hearables. This edition takes a closer look at both, exploring how the profession is moving beyond traditional hearing care and into technologies and services that can address a wider range of patient needs. Our feature on Macquarie University biomedical scientist and biomedical engineer Dr Chris Pastras examines the rapidly developing field of vestibular research. Dr Pastras is working across auditory and vestibular systems, investigating new ways to measure balance function and exploring the potential of vestibular implants for people with severe dysfunction. As he explains, vestibular science has historically lagged behind hearing research, but that gap is beginning to close. That momentum is also evident in clinical practice. We’ve interviewed three independent audiologists who have used Interacoustics to help grow a vestibular practice, providing a valuable insight into how clinicians are approaching this area and the role vestibular services can play within audiology. We also look at a new player entering the Australian market: Indian-based NeuroEquilibrium, a specialist vestibular company bringing a different model of vestibular care to the region. Its approach highlights the potential for new models of assessment and treatment to complement existing services. On the hearables front, Australian company Audeara continues to expand its offering, with a growing range designed to sit at the intersection of hearing, audio and consumer technology. The company is looking beyond the product itself, exploring ways hearables can create additional value within clinical practice and give professionals more options to engage with consumers who may not yet be ready for traditional hearing aids. These stories point to an industry that is becoming more diverse. For audiologists, both represent opportunities to broaden their services, strengthen their clinical offering and meet consumers where they are – whether they are seeking better balance, better sound, or simply a different pathway into hearing care. HELEN CARTER Editor
HEARING PRACTITIONER AUSTRALIA
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References: 1. GN data on file (2025); 2. Jespersen, Dieu & Rubachandran (2024); 3. Jespersen, Heeren & Quilter (2026); 4. Quilter, Heeren & Jespersen (2026); 5. Compared to the closest premium brand. Groth & Cui (2026); 6. Jespersen & Hashem (2026); 7. Jespersen & Rubachandran (2026); 8. Groth et al. (2023); 9. Jespersen & Skovlund (2025).
UPFRONT Just as HPA went to print, DEAFNESS FORUM AUSTRALIA shared a new suite of Auslan videos developed by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission to help older D/deaf Australians better understand their rights under the Aged Care Act 2024. They cover topics including the Statement of Rights, person-centred care, the Aged Care Code of Conduct, and how to raise concerns or make a complaint about an aged care OFF THE BEATEN TRACK Weird
service. They explain what older people can expect from providers and where to go for support if they need it. The videos are available on the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission’s YouTube channel. IN OTHER NEWS, Ear Science Institute Australia is a semi-finalist in the 2026 Community Achievement Awards for the Beyond Bank Community Group Award for its Healthy Hearing Outback program. It was also named among 20 Western Australian organisations sharing in the WA Government’s $25 million Research Infrastructure Support
program, delivered through the Future Health Research and Innovation Fund. This support will help advance its research and innovation in ear and hearing health. FINALLY, Deaf Connect has opened a new pilot Deaf Hub in Perth, creating a space for the Deaf community to connect, collaborate, and thrive. It was inspired by insights from the Deaf Space research project and funded by the Deaf Connect Board. The hub aims to be an accessible, community-focused environment where people can host events, run activities, share ideas and build connections.
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Wonderful
South Korean researchers have developed a highly directional speaker that can beam sound towards a specific listener while minimising sound leakage to the sides. The device combines ultrasonic technology with metamaterials to focus audible sound into a narrow beam across much of the audible range, potentially allowing personalised announcements, music or information to be heard by one person without disturbing those nearby.
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Researchers have found that timed 50-millisecond bursts of pink noise during sleep can amplify the brain’s slow electrical waves, in turn increasing waves of cerebrospinal fluid that help clear waste products from the brain. In a study, the gentle sound was delivered at the peak of each slow wave and increased both slow-wave and CSF activity, suggesting a potential future approach.
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A study has found that elephants’ large middle-ear bones may help them hear ground vibrations particularly well through bone conduction. Their middle-ear bones are around nine times heavier than humans’, with the stapes moving three to four times more at low frequencies, allowing more vibration to reach the cochlea. The researchers said in Frontiers in Audiology and Otology that elephants may further enhance this hearing by voluntarily closing their ear canals, potentially improving sensitivity to very low-frequency seismic signals.
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$87 billion That’s what the hearables market is expected to grow to in 2026, says Mordor Intelligence’s Global Hearables Market report. Page 11.
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NEWS
continued from page 3
who may have less bargaining power when negotiating employment contracts, she said. “We hear this from our members regularly and in response, have worked with one of our partners – HR Online – to develop some advice for them in navigating their employment contracts,” Emerson said. “In regional and rural areas, even a modest geographic restraint may also reduce workforce flexibility and access to audiological care. “For these reasons, broad or excessive non-compete clauses are problematic. Audiologists should be free to pursue better opportunities, progress their careers and establish their own practices without unreasonable restrictions on their livelihood.” But Emerson said not every post-employment restraint is unreasonable. “Audiology practices, particularly small and independent practices, can make significant investments in employees through supervision, mentoring, professional development, infrastructure and the development of patient and referrer relationships,” she said. “The value associated with an audiologist is also not necessarily reflected in salary. A practitioner earning below the proposed $190,100 threshold may manage a substantial patient base and hold longstanding relationships with local referrers.” Emerson said a legitimate concern can arise where an employee leaves
and immediately establishes, or joins, a directly competing practice nearby, benefiting from goodwill developed substantially through their former employer. “Non-solicitation clauses provide some protection, but healthcare relationships are personal and patients may independently choose to follow a practitioner,” she said. “For audiology, the priority should be to support practitioners’ freedom to pursue employment, develop their careers and establish their own businesses. While employers may have legitimate business interests to protect, these should, wherever possible, be addressed through measures that do not restrict an individual’s future opportunities.” Emerson said the government is right to address unreasonable restrictions on worker mobility. “However, the appropriate position is perhaps for reasonable, demonstrably necessary and proportionate restraints that balance the rights of individual practitioners with the legitimate interests of the practices that employ and invest in them,” she said. The government believes about three million Australians have a non-compete clause in their employment contract. Typically, these restrict an employee from working for a competitor or starting a competing business for a specified period after leaving a company, often with a geographical boundary attached. The government is also consulting on other reforms, including: •p ossible bans on co-worker non-solicitation clauses which seek
Image: HBA.
AUDA: PROPORTIONATE RESTRAINTS MAY BE APPROPRIATE
“SOME HBA MEMBERS HAVE EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES FOR SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED AUDIOLOGY BUSINESSES.”
JANE MACDONALD, HEARING BUSINESS ALLIANCE
to prevent a departing employee from encouraging colleagues to leave their existing employer and join them at another business; •n o-poach and wage-fixing arrangements; •a nd cascading, or laddered restraint of trade clauses which involve a series of alternative periods, geographical areas or other restrictions. A contract might, for example, nominate a 12-month restraint alongside progressively shorter periods, allowing a narrower version to potentially survive if the broader restraint is found unreasonable. Importantly, the reforms distinguish between preventing someone from competing and protecting specific business interests after they leave. Treasury has previously identified non-disclosure agreements and client non-solicitation clauses as separate forms of post-employment protection used by businesses. An important distinction for health practices is between a non-compete clause and a client non-solicitation clause. A non-compete seeks to restrict where or how a former employee can work. A client non-solicitation clause is narrower, seeking to prevent the departing employee from actively encouraging clients of the former employer to move their business elsewhere. A practitioner could therefore potentially be free to start work at another clinic nearby without automatically being free to actively approach their former clinic’s patients.
AVERAGE ENT SURGEONS’ INCOME IS $630,000 continued from page 3
who averaged $648,000 and male diagnostic and interventional radiologists whose average taxable income was $612,871. But male ENT surgeons earned less than the nation’s highest earners – male ophthalmologists on $761,000, and male neurosurgeons on $741,000. There was no separate category for audiometrists. Instead, they were classified under the medical technicians (other) occupation group. On average, yearly taxable income for medical technicians was $72,498, or $64,583 for females and $82,309 for males. 8
HEARING PRACTITIONER AUSTRALIA
Health practice managers earned on average $83,330 if they were female, $108,161 if male and overall, $86,222 for the combined group. Teachers of the hearing impaired earned $83,331 overall, or $82,296 if female and $93,319 if male. Interpreters earned on average $54,000 to $56,000 but Auslan interpreters were not specifically mentioned in the ATO data. Neither were ear health nurses or audiometry nurses specifically mentioned. But child and family health nurses earned about $78,000 if female, $99,000 if male and $79,000 overall. And female community health nurses earned $78,000 compared with
$92,000 for their male counterparts, and $79,000 overall. The top 10 professions by average taxable income in Australia were surgeons, anaesthetists, internal medical specialists, financial dealers, psychiatrists, other Audiologists earned medical practitioners, judicial or about $3,000 other legal professionals, mining more in 2023-2024 engineers, financial investment than the previous advisors or managers, and CEOs or financial year. managing directors. Image: Roman R/ stock.adobe.com. The ATO also revealed superannuation figures. The average superannuation account balance for Australians in 2023-2024 was $202,644 for males, $164,206 for females and the average overall was $182,781.
HEARING AUSTRALIA BUYS EARWORX
IN BRIEF DEMENTIA LETTERS
Hearing Australia has acquired Earworx, the largest network of cerumen removal clinics across Australia with services provided by registered nurses. “The Earworx brand will continue and it will remain business as usual for Earworx staff, clients and clinics,” a Hearing Australia spokeswoman said. “The Earworx team and services will remain and are of key importance. We have no plans to modify how Earworx operates.” The move is to expand the range of ear and hearing care services available to Australians, Hearing Australia said. It said Earworx had built a strong reputation for delivering safe, effective and professional ear wax removal services using microsuction technology by registered nurses, through a national network of clinics. “Ear health is an important part of overall hearing health. Excess ear wax can affect hearing and hearing aid performance, making timely access to ear wax removal an important part of a person’s hearing health journey,” Hearing Australia said. Eron Plumb, Hearing Australia’s new managing director, said the acquisition was a “natural extension of Hearing Australia’s commitment to provide a more holistic ear and hearing health service, and its purpose to improve the wellbeing of Australians through
The Australian Government is sending letters to about 340,000 people who turned 50 in 2025 and 2026 advising how they can help reduce their dementia risk, including having regular hearing checks. They’re part of a Department of Health, Disability and Ageing campaign to help Australians better understand their risk and make simple lifestyle changes early that could dramatically lower or delay their chances of developing dementia. Health Minister Mark Butler said nearly half of dementia cases can be delayed or prevented.
NHMRC CENTRE A $3 million NHMRC grant will establish the NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence for Healthy Muku (ears) for Kids – a national collaboration of researchers from more than 12 institutions – to tackle otitis media and hearing loss. The centre will establish a national framework for detecting and understanding the pathogens of ear disease; co-design community strategies for increased engagement in treatment and prevention; and evaluate and redesign effective ear health services. Lead investigator is Professor Kelvin Kong AM, Australia’s first Indigenous ENT surgeon.
better hearing health”. “For over 75 years, Hearing Australia has helped millions of Australians improve their hearing, communication and quality of life,” he said. “Ear health and hearing health are closely linked, and by welcoming Earworx to Hearing Australia, we’re expanding our ability to support more people across more of their hearing journey.” Plumb said Earworx had built “an outstanding reputation for clinical excellence, safety and patient care”. “We’re excited to welcome their highly skilled team and combine our expertise to help even more Australians access the care they need,” he said. “Together, we can make it easier for people to seek help earlier, access specialist care and achieve better ear health and hearing outcomes.” Registered nurse Lisa Hellwege established Earworx 10 years ago.
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR PROF HARVEY DILLON
BEST WORKPLACE Specsavers has been named Australia’s Best Workplace for 2026 by Great Place to Work Australia, ranking first nationally in the large business category. The recognition is based on the confidential experiences and feedback from more than 6,900 Australian Specsavers team members including more than 250 Specsavers Audiology store partners and audiology professionals, representing 72% of the Specsavers Australian clinical audiology workforce. Among these respondents, 93% agreed that Specsavers is a great place to work.
Earworx services are provided by registered nurses. Image: Earworx.
Prof Harvey Dillon AO with his award. Image: Hearing Australia.
Professor Harvey Dillon AO has received the 2026 Hearing Australia Lifetime Achievement Award for his “significant contributions to hearing science, technology and rehabilitation” over more than 40 years which have transformed lives worldwide. An audiology researcher and hearing scientist who originally trained as an electrical engineer, his research has helped shape the way hearing loss is assessed and managed globally. Elizabeth Crouch AM, Hearing Australia Chair, described him as “a truly remarkable individual whose contribution to hearing health has transformed lives in Australia and around the world”. Prof Dillon has dedicated over four decades to advancing hearing healthcare and improving the lives of people with hearing loss. After joining the National Acoustic Laboratories (NAL) – the research division of Hearing Australia
– in 1979, he spent 39 years with the organisation, including 17 years as director. “Within nine months, I knew it was where I wanted to be for my whole career. It gave me an opportunity to do research that changed things,” he said. “I’ve been lucky enough to do research that is what I thought was most needed and what I found really interesting. Seeing the results get used at the end of the research just adds to the personal satisfaction. “This award, the organisation, and of course, its people, mean a lot to me.” Prof Dillon has authored more than 300 scientific publications, and his textbooks Hearing Aids have educated hearing care professionals for more than 20 years. His research has been in hearing aids, measurement of hearing rehabilitation effectiveness, electrophysiological assessment of hearing, and diagnosis and treatment of auditory processing disorders. HEARING PRACTITIONER AUSTRALIA
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HEARABLES
Hearables now and into the future What’s new and trending in hearables? And what are some predictions for the future? NAL’s DR NICKY CHONG-WHITE and DR BRENT EDWARDS provide insights. Image: Vita/stock.adobe.com.
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onsumer earbuds are increasingly adopting hearing aid-like functionality following in the footsteps of Apple’s groundbreaking technology for AirPods Pro 2 and 3 which enable them to be used as hearing aids for adults with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss. Samsung Galaxy Buds have now introduced regulated hearing-aid features and Israeli company Tuned received Food and Drug Administration clearance for its software platform that transforms standard hearables such as earbuds and headphones into self-fitting hearing aids without additional hardware. Dr Nicky Chong-White, principal engineer, hearing technology research at the National Acoustic Laboratories (NAL), says users can test their hearing on their smartphone at home, and self-fit earbuds to function like hearing aids. “These offer a lower-cost, accessible option that could be a useful first step into hearing support,” she says. Dr Brent Edwards, NAL director, says these developments are a very good thing for consumers who want hearing help because it gives them more options for solutions and increased choice to select what works best for them. “Not everyone wants or needs a traditional hearing aid and there are many people with hearing difficulties who, for whatever reason, don’t go to see a hearing care professional,” he says. “Solutions like consumer earbuds with hearing aid features give more access to hearing help, which can only be a good thing. I’ve suggested for more than a decade that these developments will not undermine traditional hearing healthcare, and most people (but not all) want to see a hearing care professional when they have hearing needs.” Earbuds are one example of hearables – also called assistive listening devices (ALDs) or personal sound amplification products. They combine some functions of a hearing aid in a consumer wearable but are over-the-counter devices rather than regulated medical devices. Apart from helping some people with hearing loss, they are also popular with those with no hearing impairment who want an improved listening experience, better communication and the ability to tune in and focus on conversations or tune out of background noise. Hearing glasses, such as EssilorLuxottica’s Nuance Audio Glasses, are another example and are gaining traction. “Products such as Nuance glasses
Earbuds are increasingly including hearing aid features.
provide hearing assistance functionality integrated into conventional-looking glasses,” Dr Chong-White says. “They offer another form factor for people who prefer not to have a device in their ears, or who don't want a hearing device that looks like a hearing aid. “Another example is Ray-Ban Meta (smart glasses), which contain open-ear speakers and a camera. While these have no personalised amplification, they are adding hearing features such as conversation enhancement.” And in India, teenager Paras Tickoo has built Hear Bright, an AI smart-glasses prototype for deaf users that aims to turn sounds and conversations into visual information. Integration of AI into hearables is another trend. “Hearables are adding live translation, transcription, AI assistants and increasingly sophisticated speech and noise processing,” Dr Chong-White says. “Hearables now offer multi-functional appeal.” Broader health sensing also continues to be a focus area, she adds. “Features such as heart-rate monitoring are being incorporated and increasingly combine audio, hearing, communication, and health functions,” she says. As for the foreseeable future, she predicts: “We’ll see more AI, greater integration with our phones, and (eek!) cameras, with hearing and vision working together. “I expect hearables will become much more context-aware, rather than just processing audio. By combining what they sense with information from our phones and watches, they could understand where we are, what we’re doing and what we’re trying to hear, and adapt automatically.
“As these devices increasingly listen, sense and see what’s around us, discussions around privacy and consent will become increasingly important.” Auracast is another hearables technology we’ll increasingly see in venues. It’s being slowly introduced in Australia. Audeara Buds, for example, include Auracast. Dr Edwards says Auracast is an amazing technology that will enable better hearing of any transmitted audio signals with hearing devices that are Auracast-enabled. “Many hearing aids today have Auracast in them, so anyone with those hearing aids should have a great experience hearing sounds broadcast with Auracast - whether that’s a TV, concert hall, lecture, or train station,” he says. “The expectation for the future is that many places will have Auracast transmitters installed to broadcast audio. We could use Auracast in many more places than currently exists. This is where everyone can help, by informing your local venues and operators about the benefits of Auracast and petitioning for installations.” Dr Edwards says Auracast is going to be a global standard for consumer electronics to broadcast audio. “Given that many hearing aids are now Auracast-enabled, having home products like TVs with Auracast will be very useful for hearing aid wearers and those who have headphones/earphones with Auracast and want improved sound,” he adds. Hearables are here to stay with the market expected to grow to $87 billion in 2026 according to Mordor Intelligence’s Global Hearables Market Report. It says Asia-Pacific is the fastest-growing territory, projected at an 11% compound annual growth rate through to 2031. HEARING PRACTITIONER AUSTRALIA
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HEARABLES
Growing assistive listening Hearing care continues to evolve from focusing just on hearing aids to hearing health. JOHN KRAJEWSKI reveals how Audeara is approaching assistive listening as a growing category and supporting hearing care professionals and their clients.
Left: The Audeara Buds TV Bundle includes buds and a streamer to stream audio wirelessly from a TV, soundbar or stereo system.
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or decades, the hearing care conversation centred on whether a client needed a hearing aid. But what happens when the answer is not yet? That space between first recognising a hearing difficulty and being ready to embrace a hearing aid has traditionally offered few solutions, but the assistive listening devices (ALD) category is increasingly providing options for audiology clinics and patients. “Audiology is shifting from a narrow focus on ‘hearing aids for hearing loss’ to ‘hearing health’ more broadly – how we can enhance listening and communication in many environments for many people, not just those with a diagnosed loss,” says audiologist John Krajewski, Audeara’s head of international sales and marketing. That shift could create a larger role for assistive listening and give clinicians more ways to support people throughout the hearing journey, rather than waiting for them to become ready for a hearing aid. “We see ourselves as one end of that journey,” Krajewski says. “If you imagine the continuum from us through to hearing aids, and then to cochlear implants, we’re at the early, more accessible end – but we see all those pieces as part of the same ecosystem.”
The in-ear buds can stream audio wirelessly from a tablet to the listener.
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HEARING PRACTITIONER AUSTRALIA
Audeara is an Australian owned, engineered and operated hearing technology company which specialises in listening solutions for people of all hearing abilities. Audeara sees an opportunity for ALDs to play a greater role in addressing unmet listening needs and making better listening more accessible, regardless of hearing ability. Krajewski says the assistive listening category had never attracted much attention in clinics. “There wasn’t anything meaningfully serving clients who were going into a clinic, weren’t quite ready for hearing aids, but also weren’t being offered anything to help in the interim,” he says. “We joke internally that our products are a bit of a ‘gateway drug’ into the hearing health journey. We’re capturing those clients early and starting that journey from the beginning. “There’s a belief among some clinicians that if a client isn’t ready for hearing aids today, they’ll come back later and get fitted.
“The reality is less than 10% of clients return for a hearing aid within three years. ALDs provide a way to keep them engaged and started on their hearing journey rather than losing them entirely.” One barrier for clinicians is the perception ALDs could cannibalise hearing aid sales, but Krajewski says providing a solution now is about building an ongoing relationship with clients. MORE IN THE TOOLBOX Audeara has strong roots in hearing healthcare and works closely with clinicians as an important part of its broader approach to market. Krajewski says the company sees its products as complementary to clinical care, giving hearing care professionals additional options to support people across a wider range of everyday listening needs. “Our goal is to give audiologists another tool in their toolbox,” he says. “We see clinicians as an important part of helping people understand the listening solutions available to them and choose what best suits their needs.” Audeara’s products work across Apple and Android ecosystems, focus on improving clarity and can be worn with hearing aids and cochlear implants. Its listening solutions include both over-ear headphones and in-ear buds, with TV Bundles designed to stream audio wirelessly from a television, soundbar or stereo system directly to the listener. Both the A-02 Headphones and Audeara Buds feature noise cancellation and can be personalised to an individual’s hearing profile. The Audeara Buds also offer situational listening modes. Users can complete a hearing check and apply their profile using Audeara’s app. “That’s a big point of difference and what sets us apart,” Krajewski says. Alternatively, using Audeara’s clinical
Images: Audeara.
Using Audeara's A-02 headphones to seamlessly stream from a television.
Above: The A-02 TV Bundle features A-02 headphones and a TV streamer.
software and fitting tool AudAssist Desktop, hearing care professionals can enter the client’s audiogram and personalise the buds or headphones in the chair in a few minutes, so the client doesn’t have to go home, re-test or ‘get around to it’ later. “Audeara’s TV Bundles are HSP and DVA approved, and available via NDIS which positions them really well as clinical solutions,” Krajewski adds. Under the NDIS, Audeara products may also support needs such as managing sensory challenges and assisting with emotional regulation. For clinicians, the ability to demonstrate the technology in the consultation can be equally important, he says, and advises having a demo unit on the bench next to hearing aids. “Once the clinician realises that the client isn’t ready for hearing aids, they can put the headphones or buds on, ask for the client’s favourite song, hit play – and you can see the change in their face immediately,” he says. “Clinicians who use demos effectively see very strong results.” As part of its product design process, Audeara incorporates clinician feedback into how products evolve. “That’s why we’ve included additional features on the Audeara Buds' charging case. It also works like a simple remote: if a client isn’t tech savvy, they can just use the buttons on the case to turn the volume up or down and change modes,” Krajewski says. “A-02 has been in the market for a few years and it’s a major driver. We’re now seeing strong growth in the Audeara Buds as awareness builds. As clinicians understand the personalisation, pass-through and Auracast capabilities, they’re starting to embrace them.” FROM DEVICES TO ENVIRONMENTS Auracast is a major catalyst for the category by making direct audio access relevant to a much wider population. It enables audio from televisions, microphones, presentations and entertainment systems to be broadcast directly to compatible hearing aids, cochlear implants, earbuds and headphones. “Auracast is a really exciting piece of technology because it’s not just for people with hearing loss – it’s accessibility for
everyone,” Krajewski says. The Bluetooth LE Audio broadcast technology allows any number of compatible receivers, including hearing aids, earbuds and headphones, to receive an audio signal directly from a transmitter such as in an airport, theatre or hall. It has multiple applications across public spaces, education and aged care. In a world first in aged care, Audeara has been working with Bolton Clarke to install the Audeara Auracast Audio Broadcaster, with 43 aged-care facilities nationally. “In aged care, the prevalence of hearing loss is often 80–90%. Many residents avoid the community hall because they can’t hear what’s being said,” Krajewski says. “With Auracast installed, they can put on headphones or connect via hearing aids and suddenly they’re able to follow the session. It’s making a huge difference to their quality of life.” The company has also installed Auracast in University of Queensland lecture theatres and started a trial at QUT, with universities increasingly interested in how the technology can support students of all listening abilities. International students, those with APD, autism or who are neurodivergent and might be overwhelmed in a large lecture theatre, can dilute background noise and receive direct feed from the lecturer with Auracast and applicable noise-cancelling headphones or earbuds. "We’ve done work with Auracast in Japan across education and public listening environments, and we see applications in schools, community centres and smaller venues,” Krajewski says. “We understand where we fit in the Auracast ecosystem – we complement the larger, more expensive venue systems by offering more affordable transmitters for mid-size environments like community clubs, halls and local venues.” Audiologists can connect with community groups by selling and installing the transmitters by simply plugging them in. “Auracast partnerships help clinics move beyond their clinic walls and into everyday community spaces,” Audeara says. “By
Audeara head of international sales and marketing John Krajewski.
improving listening experiences locally, clinics create goodwill, visibility and new opportunities to support people on their hearing journey.” Audeara even transformed Brisbane’s Normanby Hotel into the world’s first Auracast-enabled pub in 2025. The company also sells Auracast-enabled transceivers and lapel microphones. Overall, its products are being sold in about 1,500 Australian audiology clinics, with distribution available across 12 countries internationally. “In Australia, we’re stocked everywhere from large retail chains through to independent clinics,” Krajewski says. “Audeara provides support and training across these different clinic groups so that clinicians feel confident in recommending the products to clients.” Its operations team based in Brisbane provides after-sales support, and there’s an online knowledge base, and dedicated phone line that clinicians and clients can call. “Some audiologists are still very hearing-aid focused but those who step back and look at the broader hearing health journey do really well with providing assistive listening solutions to their clients,” Krajewski says. HEARING PRACTITIONER AUSTRALIA
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Science made smarter
Explore new ways to understand vestibular function We’re already familiar with what the standard vestibular test battery looks like. However, there have been some exciting developments that can expand our testing and give us more information about a patient’s vestibular function. These assessments allow us to explore how the vestibular, visual, and cervical systems interact.
Cervical Gaze looks at whether the neck may contribute to abnormal eye movements. Using a head-sensor (IMU) guided positioning, the patient performs gaze testing with the neck in a 45° torsion to the left and right; body rotates while the head faces forward. Clinicians can then observe any changes in eye movements and dizziness compared with the neck in a neutral position. This can help with differential assessment and support rehabilitation for patients.
Functional Video Head Impulse Test (fvHIT) evaluates how well a patient’s brain and inner ear work together to maintain clear vision during rapid head movements. Like conventional vHIT, it uses unpredictable, rapid head impulses across the paired semicircular canal planes. The difference is that fvHIT also incorporates higher head speeds which can occur in everyday activities. During each head impulse, the patient must identify a visual stimulus on a screen. This helps clinicians identify functional visual deficits in patients who report blurred vision or dizziness during movement but have normal vHIT responses.
Audiometry
Tympanometry
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Smooth Pursuit Neck Torsion (SPNT) also looks at the neck’s contribution to eye movements. Patient performs smooth pursuit, where the eyes move back and forth following a stimulus on the screen. This is done with the neck in a neutral position and 45° torsion to the left and right. The difference between the neck torsion and neck neutral positions give an indication of the neck’s contribution to dizziness and determine when to refer to a physiotherapist.
Self-Paced Saccades assesses a patient’s voluntary, rapid eye movements. During the test, patients rapidly look between two fixed targets for 30 seconds, and the software records how many times they can do this, which is the total saccade count. Research suggests that a reduced saccade count may be associated with central dysfunction caused by conditions such as traumatic brain injury and neurodegenerative disorders.
Explore the latest vestibular assessment capabilities with Interacoustics. Josephina Sukamto, Audiologist & Product Consultant
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The vestibular system has spent decades in the shadow of hearing, says Dr CHRISTOPHER PASTRAS. He wants to change that by developing new ways to measure vestibular function and pushing the science behind the next generation of vestibular implants.
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illions of people with severe vestibular dysfunction could be eligible for vestibular implants to restore balance in the future, predicts Macquarie University biomedical scientist/ biomedical engineer Dr Christopher Pastras. But he says there’s a way to go before this scenario could become a reality. The vestibular system helps us stand upright, walk through a crowded room, know which way is up and keep the world from spinning when we move our heads. It controls gaze, posture, and spatial orientation. But it’s the poor cousin to hearing when it comes to research and treatment, says Dr Pastras, a Macquarie University School of Engineering academic and member of the university’s Hearing Research Centre, whose research spans auditory and vestibular systems particularly the inner ear. “I think the vestibular field is several decades behind the auditory field in terms of its understanding – using things like animal models to understand the fundamental operation of the system, and to trial various therapeutics,” he says. For this reason, Dr Pastras completed a PhD using an engineering and systems physiology
Image: HDAI/stock.adobe.com.
Restoring balance
An inner ear cochlea model showing the human vestibular system with auditory nerves.
approach to improve understanding of how the vestibular system operates and advance new techniques including working on developing better objective vestibular testing. His experiments have challenged a long-held assumption that the vestibular system is a relatively slow sensory system, primarily responding to low-frequency head movements and acceleration. Working with rodents, his team recorded responses from vestibular hair cells using clinical stimuli including bone-conducted vibration and sound. “We found these hair cells are responsive up to thousands of cycles per second,” he says. “It was originally thought they were only sensitive to low-frequency translations and accelerations of the head – under 10 hertz – but they’re actually remarkably fast and can transmit up to several kilohertz.” The finding overturned the myth that the vestibular system is “slow and sluggish”, Dr Pastras says. His team also used laser Doppler vibrometry to measure the mechanical behaviour of the vestibular system, “basically a way of objectively measuring the motion of an object on the nanoscale,” he explains. The results provided further evidence that the vestibular system Image: Boss/stock.adobe.com.
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A medical illustration of the human auditory system and hearing pathway including the vestibular system.
is a dynamic, fast-responding system. “The PhD was about developing novel tools to measure vestibular function and mechanics,” he says. On the back of that, in 2020, he was awarded the Garnett Passe & Rodney Williams Fellowship at The University of Sydney to further develop technologies to investigate inner ear function. The vestibular organs are tucked into an anatomically challenging part of the inner ear, and studying their mechanics in animal models requires painstaking microsurgery and experimental manipulations, he says. His PhD focused on the otolith organs – the utricle and saccule – the body’s linear accelerometers. His subsequent work has also moved towards the semicircular canals and, increasingly, translating laboratory techniques into human testing. In 2022, Dr Pastras received a Macquarie University Research Fellowship to uncover mammalian balance function to drive translational devices. His research has developed a novel in vivo platform to simultaneously measure cellular, neural, and mechanical responses from the mammalian inner ear. He developed specialised electrophysiological and mechanical recording tools to probe the function and operation of the mammalian balance system. One current interest is electrovestibulography or EVestG, the vestibular analogue of the more well known electrocochleography or ECochG – an objective measurement tool of cochlear function. The goal is to develop an objective measure of vestibular activity that could potentially detect responses from vestibular sensory hair cells and neurons. “I’m trying to take similar tools that have been used in the cochlea and advance them into an objective human screening or diagnostic test for vestibular function,” he says. “We’ve received some funding to develop electrovestibulography in animal models and humans.” A key obstacle is the cochlea. “The cochlea is more sensitive than the vestibular system, and it produces responses of similar latency, HEARING PRACTITIONER AUSTRALIA
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Images: Chris Pastras.
Dr Chris Pastras at Macquarie University.
Above: A raw vestibular nerve compound action potential recorded in Dr Pastras’ lab.
which can obscure the smaller vestibular responses to similar stimuli,” Dr Pastras says. The challenge is to isolate the weaker vestibular signal from the much stronger auditory response. “We need better, more sophisticated tools and techniques to minimise those auditory contributions so we can uncover the smaller vestibular response,” he says. If successful, the technique could potentially produce a vestibular brainstem response – an objective neural measure of vestibular function, analogous to the auditory brainstem response. “It will be technically challenging but I'm hopeful we can do it in the future,” he says. “I would hope commercial diagnostic platforms will eventually carry these tools.” Another focus of his research is vestibular implants. In 2025, Dr Pastras received an Australian Research Council (ARC) Early Career Industry Fellowship worth $512,109, with industry partner Cochlear Limited to explore future therapies for inner ear disorders and investigate electrical stimulation of the vestibular system through preclinical animal studies. “There are a lot of gaps in the literature, and gaps in our understanding, about how the vestibular implant actually works,” he says. “This project will address these by investigating 16
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mechanics and neural coding of the otoliths, with the goal of enhancing vestibular neuromodulation for future development of next-generation vestibular implants that better replicate natural vestibular function.” One gap is how to stimulate specific areas of the peripheral balance system, at the right place and in the right way. “I’m interested in making that much more targeted and specific and improving the design of the electrode and stimulating parameters,” he says. His team is measuring mechanical and electrically evoked compound action potentials from different vestibular nerves, building a direct electrical “fingerprint” of how those nerves respond to different stimulation approaches. “How can we better stimulate specific sensory targets, instead of such a crude approach with a lot of current spread?” he asks. There is an obvious parallel with cochlear implantation. Early cochlear implants used relatively crude stimulation with one electrode; modern devices use sophisticated electrode arrays to provide much more controlled and sophisticated stimulation. Investigational vestibular implants are being trialled to restore balance but are still at a comparatively early clinical stage, with research involving small, highly selected groups of patients with profound bilateral vestibular dysfunction, he says. “It’s probably no exaggeration to say vestibular implants are about 50 years behind where the cochlear implant is,” Dr Pastras says. Like the cochlea, the vestibular system contains sensory hair cells and neurons. If the receptors are damaged but the neural pathways remain sufficiently functional, electrical stimulation could potentially provide an alternative route for delivering information to the brain, he says. “There's a promising vestibular implant developed through the BionicVEST project, a collaboration between the University of Las
Palmas de Gran Canaria, Cochlear Limited and others, which specifically targets the otoliths – thought to be the dominant motion detector – rather than the semicircular canals." The cochlear vestibular implant combines hearing and balance restoration, with one electrode directed towards the cochlea and another towards the vestibular system, he adds. “It’s basically a cochlear-vestibular array. One electrode goes into the cochlea to restore hearing, and one goes into the vestibular system to restore balance – killing two birds with one stone.” Eligible patients include those with bilateral vestibulopathy where both labyrinths are dead. “The patient must have pretty much no hearing because they don't want to damage the hearing system when they place this intralabyrinthine implant,” he says, though hopefully that will improve, and vestibular implant candidacy will expand across a broader clinical subset. "There are quite a few papers showing results in small groups of maybe 20 patients, and they're reporting very promising clinical outcomes: improved postural stability, they're not falling anymore, their gait has improved, their quality of life has improved, dizziness handicap inventory scores have improved. “These early clinical studies are showing it increases quality of life for these patients. "It's basically taking the technology from the cochlear implant, leveraging it, piggybacking off it and saying: the vestibular system is similar to the cochlea, it has hair cells, it has neurons, why can't we just do the same thing? And you can, in principle.” But vestibular implantation is not simply a matter of copying cochlear implantation. The two systems share important characteristics but have significant differences that must be understood. “There are a lot of people who suffer with vestibular dysfunction – mainly those above age 50, but there are many who suffer who are young,” Dr Pastras says. “A lot, I predict, will be recipients of the vestibular implant – there are probably hundreds of thousands who could benefit. And if we expand candidacy to people with Ménière's disease, PPPD and vestibular neuropathy, we're looking at millions." Patients who survive severe meningitis after treatment with aminoglycoside antibiotics, which can be ototoxic, may also be eligible as treatment may leave them with bilateral vestibular loss. Severe bilateral vestibular loss can affect gait, postural stability, mobility, independence and quality of life. For a vestibular implant to work, the vestibular nerve must remain functional. “You still need neurons that work reasonably well and can be stimulated with electric current,” Dr Pastras says. That makes objective vestibular testing even more important. The better that researchers can characterise what remains of a patient’s vestibular function, the better they may be able to identify who could benefit from an implant, he says.
SHAPING THE FUTURE OF HEARING CARE AT OPSM WORKING AT OPSM MEANS YOU’RE PART OF SOMETHING BIGGER At OPSM, we’re redefining hearing care by integrating Audiology into a modern healthcare environment where innovation, expertise and customer experience come together. What sets OPSM apart is our commitment to clinical excellence and professional growth. Our Audiologists are supported through ongoing development, access to advanced technology and clear opportunities to expand their clinical impact within an integrated model of care. As we continue to grow our Audiology network across Australia, we are seeking motivated clinicians who are passionate about delivering quality hearing care and building a meaningful and impactful career in Audiology. LEARN MORE AT OPSM.COM.AU/CAREERS OR VISIT US ON LINKEDIN CONTACT US TO EXPLORE YOUR NEXT OPPORTUNITY: AUDIOLOGYCAREERS@AU.LUXOTTICA.COM
Image: NeuroEquilibrium.
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From left, founders of NeuroEquilibrium, Rajneesh Bhandari and neuro-otologist Dr Anita Bhandari.
Bringing back balance Indian company NeuroEquilibrium is expanding its vestibular equipment and 24-hour turnaround cloud-based diagnostic service in Australia. The model is designed to make assessment and diagnosis more accessible for audiologists and patients.
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“When we discussed setting it up, we realised vertigo and dizziness are huge problems globally,” Rajneesh says. “The number of patients is enormous, but the number of clinics and facilities is limited, in India and worldwide. That imbalance is what drove us to build NeuroEquilibrium.” The company has a chain of partner clinics in India and has its equipment in more than 17 countries worldwide in over 300 audiology, ENT and neurology clinics. It has helped diagnose and treat more than 200,000 patients. NeuroEquilibrium initially focused on developing its own equipment after finding commercially available systems expensive. “We found existing equipment was extremely expensive,” Dr Bhandari says. “With Rajneesh’s engineering background and my medical background, we asked: what do these devices do? What do they measure? Once we understood that, we began developing our own equipment locally.” The goal was to create cost-effective equipment that met international standards. But they identified another obstacle: having access to equipment did not necessarily mean clinicians had the expertise to interpret its results. “If you have graphs and reports in front of you but can’t read them, the tests are not especially useful,”
Dr Bhandari says. “That’s when we decided we also needed to provide interpretation of reports. That decision is what took NeuroEquilibrium to the next level.” The company now has 15 vestibular diagnostic devices including six that are Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)-certified. For its Australian offering, core equipment includes video nystagmography (VNG), video head impulse testing (vHIT) and subjective visual vertical (SVV) equipment. ‘Together, these tests cover most of the essential requirements for vestibular diagnosis and testing. Essentially, Image: Anjana Panikkar.
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NT surgeon and neuro-otologist Dr Anita Bhandari and her engineer husband Rajneesh Bhandari started what they say has grown into the world’s largest chain of vertigo, dizziness and balance disorder clinics after a simple observation: that too many people were having symptoms treated without establishing the root cause. Dr Bhandari saw a gap in how these patients were cared for, and decided to act, co-founding NeuroEquilibrium Diagnostic Systems with Rajneesh. “I started practising in 1997, working in a medical college – teaching, operating, doing the usual ENT work,” she says. “Over time, I realised there was a huge gap in how we cared for patients with vertigo and dizziness. We saw many of these patients, but we weren’t really offering much beyond suppressing the symptoms. We weren’t establishing the underlying cause or treating it.” Dr Bhandari subsequently completed a PhD in vestibular science at Maastricht University in the Netherlands to deepen her understanding of the field. That clinical background was combined with the expertise of her husband, who has a Bachelor of Technology from IIT Delhi, and has 14 patents across different fields. A decade ago, the pair explored establishing a dizziness centre in India.
Above: Audiologist Anjana Panikkar is NeuroEquilibrium’s head of operations and clinical excellence in Australia.
CLOUD-BASED EXPERTISE The key difference, however, is the service sitting behind the equipment – described as a “deep tech remote diagnostic platform”. All NeuroEquilibrium diagnostic systems connect to a GDPR- and data-privacy-compliant AWS cloud platform. Patient information and test results can be securely uploaded for specialist review by the NeuroEquilibrium cloud-based team which includes ENT specialists and neurologists. For Australia, the reports are reviewed by Australian ENT specialists. “This is a multidisciplinary problem,” Rajneesh says. “Balance involves the inner ear, the brain, and the proprioceptive systems. We felt that the interpretation also needed to be holistic.” The platform incorporates digital history taking and a structured workflow from assessment through to interpretation. Dr Bhandari says an audiology clinic can use the system to collect a detailed patient history covering the onset and progression of dizziness, duration, triggers, hearing loss, falls and medications. After a brief clinical examination, the patient undergoes vestibular testing, typically including VNG, vHIT and SVV, and positional testing under VNG guidance. Once data and videos are uploaded, the specialist team reviews the results, including eye movements, oculomotor tests, spontaneous and provoked nystagmus, vHIT, otolith function and central pathways. “Once we receive the full information, the cloud-based workflow allows us to send back the interpretation within 24 hours or by the next working day,” Bhandari says. “That’s a major change compared to the long waits many patients currently face to see a specialist.” AUSTRALIAN OPPORTUNITY NeuroEquilibrium entered the Australian market about a year ago and now works with two distributors, with equipment already installed in 12 independent audiology clinics, including outside major metropolitan areas. The model is intended to allow audiologists to establish or expand vestibular services without having to build all the specialist expertise themselves. “In Australia there is no shortage of patients – the problem is diagnosis and the referral pathway,” Dr Bhandari says. “Patients may see their GP, but then it takes a long time to get to an ENT or a specialist balance centre, especially in rural areas.” Under the NeuroEquilibrium model, an audiologist performs the assessment locally, while the specialist team in Australia provides the interpretation. Resulting information can then support the referring GP, ENT, audiologist or physiotherapist in deciding on appropriate treatment or referral. The Australian clinics do not become NeuroEquilibrium centres; rather they keep
Videonystagmography (VNG) evaluates the vestibular system and oculomotor systems.
their name and use the NeuroEquilibrium equipment and services. Clinics buy equipment, with fees charged for specialist interpretation. The package also includes digital history taking, training and access to the cloud platform. The company says the model has been designed for audiologists who have not previously worked extensively in vestibular care. “We designed this model so audiologists without prior vestibular practice can adopt it,” Rajneesh says. After installation, Anjana Panikkar – an audiologist and NeuroEquilibrium’s head of operations and clinical excellence in Australia – provides on-site training covering equipment operation, digital history taking, data uploading and clinical workflow. Online support is also available. ONLINE COURSE Education is another component. NeuroEquilibrium is launching a self-paced online course covering the various facets clinicians need to diagnose and manage dizzy patients. In it, Dr Bhandari connects the physiology of the balance system with the vestibular tests and various vestibular disorders. “Aided by simulations and videos, the audience learns from real-world scenarios,” she says. “With lectures from faculty around the world, interactive learning modules and a multidisciplinary program for audiologists, ENTs, and neurologists, the course offers a comprehensive approach on vestibular diagnostics and management.” Rajneesh adds: “For many clinicians, this course is a way to understand the field first.” Dr Bhandari says the ultimate goal is not simply to increase access to testing, but to help patients regain confidence and independence. “Vertigo and dizziness are not diagnoses – they’re symptoms. The key is to find the underlying cause and then decide on the best treatment,” she says. The NeuroEquilibrium equipment with
Images: NeuroEquilibrium.
we provide the full vestibular fit-out for a balance or dizziness clinic,” Rajneesh says.
NeuroEquilibrium’s subjective visual vertical (SVV) goggles.
its deep tech platform can diagnose more than 40 vestibular conditions, Dr Bhandari adds. Causes can range from relatively straightforward BPPV to vestibular neuritis, vestibular migraine, peripheral vestibulopathy or, in some cases, potentially serious neurological conditions. “Many of these issues – from BPPV to nerve problems – can be corrected quite easily if diagnosed properly,” Dr Bhandari says. “These conditions can severely affect quality of life. People may be afraid to leave home, to drive, or to do their daily activities. Helping them regain confidence and independence is incredibly rewarding.” Australia represents an opportunity to bring that approach to more patients while giving audiologists another pathway to a growing area of practice, and additional income, she says. “There are still relatively few centres in Australia providing comprehensive vestibular diagnostics and treatment,” Dr Bhandari says. “We see this as a real opportunity for audiologists and ENT doctors to expand into a field where they can make a profound difference. “Our aim is to work together with GPs, audiologists, ENTs, and physiotherapists to provide better outcomes for the many patients who’ve been living with dizziness for far too long.” HEARING PRACTITIONER AUSTRALIA
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Sheeja Govindan from Enhance Hearing in Sydney is one of the first audiologists in Australia to take up the NeuroEquilibrium option and loved the offering so much she became a distributor. “I opened my own clinic in 2022 but this is my first time working in the vestibular field,” she says. “I was always interested in it and my business partner Johanna Rai had done some vestibular testing with a neurologist. We thought, ‘If there’s an opportunity, let’s do it.’ “We’d been looking into vestibular equipment for a while, but options from other companies were quite expensive.” They bought NeuroEquilibrium equipment in September 2025. “One of the main reasons was the financial accessibility – its packages were more realistic for us as a small independent clinic,” Govindan says. “The other big thing that gave us confidence was support with interpretation of results. “The help with analysis and reporting was perfect for us. We don’t always have time to interpret every test in detail.” She says Johanna used to interpret vestibular tests but she said finishing one client’s interpretation could take nearly six hours. “We use the cloud-based system so once the testing is done, we send it and get a Top & above: Sydney audiologist detailed report back,” Govindan says. “The Sheeja Govindan was one of the first turnaround is usually within a day or two, audiologists in Australia to take up the which is fantastic compared to sending NeuroEquilibrium option and is also a patients to a specialist and waiting months.” distributor; Sheeja Govindan assessing Over the past year, it’s also been a training a patient wearing NeuroEquilibrium process, she adds. “Now, when I do a test, I have a good idea of what pathology is likely to diagnostic goggles. show up in the report so we’re learning as we go,” she says. Having NeuroEquilibrium has grown their vestibular practice. “When we started, we had no vestibular patients,” Govindan says. “Now we’re seeing five to six vestibular patients a week. It’s grown the practice clinically and financially. “We have good connections with medical doctors – GPs and ENTs – and now we’re getting more referrals. As an independent clinic, you can also look at it from a business point of view: vestibular is another lead source. “The GPs and ENTs really like the service. They appreciate that the reports get to them within about two days, and they can plan treatment or therapy quickly. I’ve had a couple of GPs call me about the report, and I can explain what it means. That’s helped build strong relationships with them. “We’ve also taken on a distribution role because we can’t personally reach every area. We want to see more independent audiologists offering vestibular services.” In this role, she gives audiologists coming on board a clinician’s perspective because she’s using it in her own clinic. “I can show them my setup, explain what they need, and make it feel achievable,” she says. “More detailed guidance and support, especially around finance and setup, comes from Anjana Panikkar, but I can show them what it looks like in real life. “If you really want to grow as an audiologist and not just stick to hearing aids, there’s a lot more you can do,” she says. “Vestibular doesn’t need to be intimidating. Don’t fear it: it’s achievable, manageable, rewarding, clinically valuable, and it can grow your practice and your satisfaction as an audiologist. You’re adding a much-needed service for patients, and at the same time, diversifying and strengthening your practice.”
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Images: Sheeja Govindan.
Practice growth
Image: NeuroEquilibrium.
Dr Anita Bhandari founded the business after realising there was a gap in how patients with vertigo and dizziness were cared for.
SUPPORT AND TRAINING Once a clinic in Australia signs on, Panikkar helps with equipment installation, training, compliance and other support. “I want to help create a clear and supported pathway for audiologists to step confidently into vestibular care,” she says. Training begins with a three-day installation and education program. While clinicians quickly learn how to use the equipment, Panikkar says the more challenging part is interpreting results: understanding what responses mean, recognising an appropriate response and knowing when testing should be repeated. She encourages new clinics to schedule their first patient during the training period, allowing clinicians to complete an initial case with her support. “It’s about building confidence,” she says, adding that clinicians typically need some handholding during their first couple of months before experience builds confidence. “A lot of feedback is that, for the first time, patients feel someone is really listening rather than skimming over their dizziness,” Panikkar says. LOWERING BARRIERS Better assessment can give GPs clearer information to guide referrals, she adds. Rather than prescribing medication or sending patients to an ENT and potentially waiting for months, vestibular reports can indicate likely causes and direct patients to appropriate care. “NeuroEquilibrium’s model also lowers barriers for audiologists entering the field,” Panikkar says. “We encourage clinics to opt for the full diagnostic package because one test alone rarely explains the problem. “You need to look through different lenses to differentiate the various causes and to assess the conditions properly.” The offering combines equipment with training, case support, and assistance with Medicare and ENT relationships. Panikkar says most new clinics choose ongoing support for every patient especially while they first establish their services but people can also choose just to buy the equipment if that is what they prefer. Better pathways for dizzy patients start with empowered, well-supported audiologists across the country, she adds. “We’ve tried to address what stops audiologists entering this space: high equipment cost, lack of training, and lack of support so we focus not just on the equipment but everything around it – training, ongoing case support, and help with Medicare and ENT relationships,” she says. “More audiologists want to step into the field but also want to know that they will be supported and that is where we want to make a difference.” For more information see NeuroEquilibrium.in or email anjana. panikkar@neuroequilibrium.in
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Growing a vestibular practice Launching vestibular services can feel daunting for audiology clinics. Three audiologists who have gone down this track advise how to grow a successful vestibular practice.
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Audiologist Megan Price using Interacoustics equipment.
Image: Megan Price.
hen audiologist Liz Lockett explored introducing vestibular testing to her independent practice, she was determined not to offer a token service. “Just doing one or two small vestibular tests wasn’t going to meet the need,” she says. “We didn’t want just one small part of the puzzle, we wanted as many pieces as we could get.” That required significant investment but after seeking quotes from multiple manufacturers, she realised the decision was about more than features and price. “What really mattered to me was choosing a manufacturer who would be good to work with and be there when we needed them,” she says. “That’s proved to be the right decision.” Lockett opened Amplify Hearing and Diagnostics in Albury, regional NSW, in 2013, driven by patient demand and a commitment to rural access. At the time, patients often travelled 3.5 hours to Melbourne for specialist testing as there was nothing locally, she says. She committed to a comprehensive test battery, and over more than a decade, the service has steadily grown and expanded to a second clinic in Wangaratta. Lockett chose Interacoustics to provide equipment and says the company has been with her every step of the way. Its team have provided ongoing support with equipment choice, calibration, troubleshooting, advice on complex cases and technical questions, and valuable education combined with CPD accreditation. Audiologist Stephanie Lannan joined the Wangaratta practice in 2025, attracted by its vestibular offerings. “Even when Steph came on board, that same level of support was still there 13 years after buying the equipment,” Lockett says. Lannan says the online Interacoustics Academy is a big advantage in upskilling. Between jobs, she took a month off and completed its webinars, which are free for practitioners, and courses. “They were clear and engaging, with guided assessments,” she says. “I felt like I came into the clinic with a solid foundation. You don’t have to own the equipment to access the training, any audiologist can do it. It’s a useful, low-cost way to work out if vestibular is for you.” Vestibular was a favourite subject for Lannan at university and she has since expanded her knowledge through targeted education, including an Advanced Videonystagmography (VNG) diploma from the Interacoustics Academy.
“That course gave me in-depth knowledge and introduced newer components of the test battery for concussion and neurodegenerative decline,” she says. Early referrals came mainly from local ENT surgeons. Building awareness among GPs took longer, particularly across such a large geographic area where “balance is such a complicated topic”. Over time, word of mouth among physiotherapists, hospital ED staff, GPs, neurologists and other specialists has become an important referral source, Lockett says. The practice delivered vestibular information kits to practitioners and the Albury clinic initially ran one vestibular day a week, before the pair developed a system for moving equipment periodically to Wangaratta. “Now we do weekly vestibular days in Albury and periodic blocks once a month in Wangaratta,” Lannan says. “The Wangaratta sessions have been filling quickly, which helps us gauge demand and decide how often to move the equipment.” Community engagement has helped, with articles and ads in the local newspaper generating appointments. Research has also influenced the clinic’s testing. Adding anti-saccade and pro-saccade tests, for example, can identify central changes or concussion in patients whose peripheral vestibular tests appear normal. This evidence-based approach has sharpened their clinical decision-making, Lannan says. Ongoing learning is also supported by the clinic’s multidisciplinary model. Working
with ENTs, neurologists and vestibular physiotherapists provides opportunities to share cases, observe appointments and learn from other disciplines, they say. Lannan says conferences bringing physiotherapists, audiologists and medical specialists together have been “some of the most valuable professional experiences”, reinforcing audiology’s role in the broader care pathway for complex dizziness and balance disorders. Both say successful vestibular services require passion and planning. Lockett advises audiologists to begin with a local needs and cost analysis: Where are patients currently travelling, what services are missing, what equipment is required, and how many referrals will be needed to recover the investment? She recommends building a support network early: “ENTs, GPs, vestibular physios and a manufacturer you trust. The more support you have, the better,” she says. Vestibular work can be time-consuming and emotionally demanding with long appointments. Many patients arrive feeling anxious, frustrated and searching for answers, sometimes after years of misdiagnosis. “Our role is assessment, guidance and support – being a key stepping stone towards diagnosis and management, rather than ‘fixing’ everything ourselves,” Lockett says. “You need strong listening skills and a lot of empathy.” Lannan encourages interested clinicians not to be intimidated by complexity and
Audiologist Megan Price in her vestibular practice in Orange, NSW.
system and expand gradually. “Start small and get really good at those tests before expanding. Prove to yourself it’s clinically useful and financially viable, then grow.” Hands-on training and mentorship are equally important. “You really need that at-elbow learning with someone experienced. Go and sit in a vestibular clinic,” Price says. She recommends observing tests and practical details that can affect results, including patient positioning, electrode placement, or previous surgery. Audiologists can’t claim through Medicare for vestibular services – only ENT and other specialists can – so developing strong relationships with ENT specialists is essential as is establishing clear arrangements around referrals, reporting, billing and claiming, she says. Price says it’s critical to spend as much time as it takes on a vestibular case history before testing, covering symptoms, medical history and lifestyle, noting many arrive after years of uncertainty and anxiety. “I don’t think I’ve had one vestibular patient who didn’t come in distressed
Image: Liz Lockett.
Audiologist Stephanie Lannan using Interacoustics advanced videonystagmography system.
Image: Megan Price.
CONFIDENCE, RELATIONSHIPS For others, like audiologist Megan Price who has an independent practice in Orange, regional NSW, called Central West Audiology, vestibular assessments make up 30% of her working week. Price was the first audiologist to work for Interacoustics worldwide and worked for the company for 17 years. She moved her position at Interacoustics beyond a purely product-based role into clinically led support and education. In those early years, her work was hands on and wide ranging: sales training, installing audiological and vestibular systems across Australia, and travel nationally and internationally. Her role evolved into a broader business and clinical development position. When she moved to Orange, she was involved in tenders, contracts, marketing, regulatory work, and professional education, designing and delivering training programs, and developing online educational resources with the Interacoustics Academy. Price credits this blend with giving her the skills and confidence to later open and run her own diagnostic and vestibular practice. She says building a vestibular practice is as much about clinical confidence and relationships as it is about equipment. “I love it. It’s challenging but so rewarding. These patients have real functional limitations and live with a lot of uncertainty. Being the treating clinician in that space is incredibly satisfying,” she says. Price advises audiologists considering vestibular to develop a strong understanding of the vestibular system and the clinical reasoning required to interpret complex presentations. “You need a really good knowledge of the vestibular system and what you’re trying to achieve,” she says. “Patients ask detailed questions and you need to understand what’s going on.” Vestibular testing rarely produces a straightforward answer, she adds. “Classical presentations aren’t always common,” Price says. “You’re often piecing together a complex case history with multiple test results to guide the ENT or referring practitioner down a diagnosis pathway.” Price recommends if you have limited funds, start with essential equipment investments such as VEMPs and a vHIT
Image: Stephanie Lannan.
says: “Start with the education that’s already available – online academies, journals, webinars – and see how it feels in practice.” Using existing caseload can gauge demand as routine appointments already include questions about vertigo, balance, tinnitus and aural fullness. “Those histories show you how many patients might benefit from vestibular testing,” she says, adding that even a part-time vestibular service can improve patient access while creating an opportunity for sustainable practice growth.
From left, Amplify Hearing and Diagnostics audiologists Stephanie Lannan and Liz Lockett.
and often crying,” she says. “Even if I’m not giving a precise diagnosis, I give a plan which may involve an ENT, vestibular physiotherapist or psychological support.” Price sees her role as part of a multidisciplinary team rather than working in isolation. This is crucial in rural and remote clinics where specialist resources can be limited. Business planning is equally important. She operates from a shared-services model in a specialist medical centre, avoiding overheads associated with a standalone clinic. “As much as I would appreciate a beautifully fitted out office, I have a simple room in a medical centre – and for me, it’s a more profitable model, allowing me to include vestibular assessments in my practise and provide a valuable service to my regional community,” she says. “You wouldn’t go into vestibular purely for profit though. You do it because there’s a need, and you’re interested. Don’t be deterred by complexity or cost. “The reward is straightforward: You’re giving people back their quality of life. That’s a pretty good reason to grow a vestibular service.” HEARING PRACTITIONER AUSTRALIA
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EON’s smaller, smarter package Images: Phonak.
Phonak’s EON hearing aid platform has launched in Australia. A benchmark for intelligent hearing, its third-generation real-time AI separates speech from noise and provides advanced environmental classification and improved connectivity, says audiologist IRENE KALLIGERIS.
Phonak says EON hearing aids provide superior clarity through third generation real-time AI.
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n 2024, Phonak released something that was groundbreaking at the time – the use of artificial intelligence in the form of deep neural network (DNN) technology to help separate speech from noise and tackle the ever-present ‘cocktail party effect’, says Sonova audiologist Irene Kalligeris. “With Infinio Sphere, we made huge leaps in helping people hear better in noisy environments,” she says. “With our new portfolio, EON, we’ve been able to leverage and extend those AI capabilities across Phonak’s existing innovations, so speech-in-noise performance is even better.” The EON platform – launching with three products – is designed to improve speech understanding in noise while making hearing aids more discreet and easier to connect across devices. In fact, the devices are smaller, lighter and more power-efficient than their predecessor, says Kalligeris, Sonova Australia director audiology and training ANZ. “Powered by the newly developed HYPERSONIC chip, EON combines Phonak’s AI-powered Spheric Speech Clarity 3.0 and an upgraded environmental classification system, AutoSense OS AI 8.0, with Made-For-All connectivity in one more efficient platform,” she says. “EON strengthens Phonak’s competitive position in improving speech understanding in noise, automatically adapting to the surrounding sound environment and connecting to virtually any Bluetooth-enabled device.” Josipa Kern, global head of Phonak, adds it “sets a new benchmark for intelligent hearing and brings together the capabilities that matter most in daily life: understanding speech, adapting automatically and staying connected with confidence”.
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The platform builds on the breakthrough achieved with Infinio Sphere, Kalligeris says. The HYPERSONIC chip replaces the previous DEEPSONIC processor, which Sonova said was the world's first dedicated AI and DNN chip built specifically for hearing aids. HYPERSONIC provides the processing capability for Spheric Speech Clarity (SSC) 3.0. BETTER UNDERSTANDING SSC 3.0 uses DNN processing to separate speech from background noise in real time which Phonak says makes users twice as likely to understand every word from any direction compared to hearing aids using the same settings without SSC. But the advance is not simply about adding more processing power. The new chip has also enabled Phonak to reduce the physical size and weight of the hearing aid. “The chip powers Spheric Speech Clarity 3.0 – the third-generation of our AI feature that separates speech from noise – and enables our devices to be 25% smaller and 20% lighter than the previous generation,” Kalligeris says. “For people who found Infinio Sphere a little too big behind the ear, EON will feel much sleeker, more discreet and very comfortable.” The increased processing efficiency also addresses battery consumption. EON uses 37% less power than the previous generation while delivering up to 38 hours of battery life on a single charge. SMARTER SCENE DETECTION AutoSense OS AI 8.0 determines what is happening around the wearer. “Our environmental classification system has been updated to AutoSense OS AI 8.0,”
Kalligeris says. “It uses machine learning and has been trained on a wide range of real-world listening situations. “The hearing aids scan the environment up to 700 times per second to instantly identify: am I in a quiet space? A noisy space? Is there speech in loud noise?” The upgraded classifier is also designed to maintain the stronger speech-in-noise processing when acoustic conditions fluctuate. “In the real world, noise levels move up and down,” Kalligeris says. “Previously, if you were in speech-in-noise and the noise level fluctuated a lot, the hearing aid might move in and out of that strong noise-reduction mode. “With AutoSense OS AI 8.0, we’ve improved the activation behaviour, so EON tends to stay in Spheric Speech Clarity 3.0 for longer in those challenging situations.” EON also targets one of the most common outdoor frustrations for hearing-aid users: wind. WindBlock 2.0 automatically detects wind and reduces resulting noise by up to 50 dB, with Phonak reporting a potential signal-to-noise ratio improvement of up to 30 dB, she adds. “Wind noise is a really common problem,” Kalligeris says. “You don’t have to be doing extreme sports – just walking from your house to the car or sitting at a café on a breezy day – and wind can rush across the microphones and create an unpleasant ‘rustling’ sound.” The aim is to prevent wind from becoming a reason to remove hearing aids. “Traditionally, people will often take their hearing aids out when it’s windy, and that’s what we don’t want. We want them to stay EON’s portable ChargerGo RIC I E has an integrated battery for charging away from a power outlet.
connected to their environment and the people around them,” she says. WindBlock 2.0 operates automatically, targeting wind noise while preserving useful sounds and speech. Phonak put the technology through demanding real-world testing, including an Arctic expedition involving researcher and educator Dr Amanda Klekowski von Koppenfels, who lives with hearing loss. She was the first person outside Phonak to wear and test EON. "Hearing aids aren’t limiting, they are empowering,” she says. “In unforgiving Arctic conditions, I was able to hear a crack in the packed snow beneath us and follow conversations clearly over the sound of crunching snow. “EON's WindBlock performed remarkably well, even as the wind whipped around us and made the tents flap. Despite wearing as many as four layers of hats and cold-weather gear, I could hear so clearly that, at times, other members of the expedition without hearing loss were asking me to repeat what had been said, rather than the other way around." BROADER ACCESS The EON family launches with three products: Phonak Audéo EON Sphere, Audéo EON R and CROS EON R. Audéo EON Sphere is the flagship rechargeable RIC, incorporating the HYPERSONIC chip and SSC 3.0. Audéo EON R is also rechargeable and uses Phonak’s ERA chip. Phonak CROS E-R provides a CROS and BICROS solution for people with an unaidable hearing loss in one ear, Kalligeris says. CROS E-R is worn on the unaidable ear to pick up sounds and wirelessly transmits them to a compatible Phonak hearing aid worn on the ear with better hearing. CROS E-R has no acoustical output. CROS E-R is compatible with Audéo E-R hearing aids. “This gives a much fuller sound experience because sounds from the ‘dead’ side are no longer missed, and it can also help with people’s awareness of where sounds are coming from,” she says.
EasyGuard domes have a membrane that allows sound through while helping keep wax away from the receiver.
The EON is small, discreet and stylish.
The EON platform can accommodate mild to profound hearing loss and is compatible with Phonak’s SDS 6.0 receiver and coupling range, from EasyGuard domes through to ultra-power receivers. Custom shells are available for more significant losses where additional sealing and usable gain are required. Phonak has also expanded the Sphere offering, with Audéo EON Sphere available at technology levels 90, 70 and 50. The 50 level is a new addition, having not been available with the previous Infinio Sphere portfolio. “Introducing the 50 level is important because it makes our advanced AI-driven noise management accessible to more people who may have budget constraints, while still giving them meaningful speech-in-noise benefit,” Kalligeris says. There is a difference in how SSC 3.0 is activated across the levels. “At levels 90 and 70, Spheric Speech Clarity 3.0 is fully automatic – the device decides when to activate it based on the environment,” Kalligeris says. “At the 50 level, it’s manual activation – wearers may need to press a button to engage that stronger noise-reduction mode.” Maximum strength differs, with Sphere 50 reaching level four and Sphere 90 reaching level seven, Phonak’s strongest available noise-reduction setting.
Dr Amanda Klekowski von Koppenfels says EON's WindBlock performed remarkably well in the Arctic.
CONNECTIVITY IS CENTRAL Connectivity remains central to the EON proposition too, with Phonak continuing its Made-For- All approach with the hearing aids compatible across Apple and Android smartphones. The platform supports Bluetooth Classic, Roger Direct and for the first time, Auracast broadcast audio, allowing users to connect to calls, streaming, Roger wireless microphones and compatible public broadcasts. Auracast adds another dimension, allowing compatible public audio broadcasts to be transmitted directly to hearing aids. “With EON, Auracast broadcast audio is now fully enabled,” Kalligeris says. “If you’re in an environment that has Auracast broadcast such as airports, public venues or aged care facilities, you’ll be able to connect directly to that signal through your EON hearing aids.” The updated myPhonak app provides remote control and personalisation, and an interface for Auracast. Its broadcast assistant helps users discover and connect to available streams. The launch is accompanied by updates across Phonak’s software and accessories. Phonak Target fitting software has been updated to version 12.0.1, while the myPhonak and myPhonak Junior apps have also been updated. EON comes with two charging options – ChargerGo RIC I E, a portable charger with an integrated battery for charging away from a power outlet, and Charger RIC E desktop charging solution. New EasyGuard domes are designed with a membrane that allows sound through while helping keep wax away from the receiver, potentially reducing wax-related maintenance. Kalligeris says the significance of EON lies in the combination of technologies rather than any single feature. “EON strengthens our leadership in speech understanding, sound intelligence and Made-For-All connectivity,” she says. “It’s a premium portfolio – a flagship platform that brings together advanced speech processing, a smaller and lighter design, and full, flexible connectivity.” HEARING PRACTITIONER AUSTRALIA
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Live noisy In a world-first, Signia has developed four task-specific deep neural networks on a single chip – the jewel in the crown for its new MaX hearing aids. WSA audiologist PETER MCKINNON reveals the groundbreaking features.
About 140 hearing care practitioners gathered at the Luna Park launch in Melbourne.
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or the Australian launch of MaX hearing aids, Signia aptly chose one of the loudest places to test the device’s superior clarity in noise claims – Melbourne’s Luna Park. About 140 hearing care practitioners gathered to test the statement that MaX provides maximum clarity in even the loudest situations, and targets voices despite the complexity of group conversation. The Multi-adaptive Xperience (MaX) hearing aid portfolio brings a groundbreaking four deep neural networks (DNNs) together on a single chip. This aims to help hearing aid wearers stay connected in the dynamic environments where hearing is often most challenging, says audiologist Peter McKinnon, WSA’s head of product, brand and marketing strategy in Australia. “Research like MarkeTrak in the US and AustraliaTrak locally shows the biggest challenge people with hearing aids face is social situations, especially group conversations. These environments are very complex,” he says. While it’s easy to characterise the problem as simply noise, that does not capture what happens in a real-world listening environment. “People often think it’s just noise that makes things hard. Noise is part of it, but it’s only one piece. In a restaurant, for example, you’ve got conversations all around you, people moving, music, and the whole scene constantly changing,” McKinnon says. MULTI-DIMENSIONAL AI It’s this complexity that Signia says it is targeting with MaX, bringing four task-specific DNNs together under what the company calls Acoustic Intelligence. Signia says traditional hearing aid AI has largely focused on noise reduction.
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MaX instead applies AI across four dimensions of the listening experience: speech, noise, environmental conditions and the wearer’s own voice. “With MaX, we’re using what we call multi-dimensional AI. We’re using it to manage all aspects of the group conversation experience,” McKinnon says. “We have four deep neural networks on a single integrated chip – more than anyone has ever put into one hearing aid. “The first is our ambient scene adaption AI. It’s constantly analysing the environment the person is in. Traditional hearing aids classified sound into a few fixed buckets – speech, speech-in-noise, music and so on.” Rather than relying on a limited number of predefined listening environments, McKinnon says MaX can respond to a much broader range of acoustic situations. “MaX has effectively an unlimited number of environments. It’s been trained on around 40 million sound samples, so it can understand the full complexity of real-world situations and even minor changes in the scene,” he says. And it can optimise up to 800 million parameters per second automatically. “The second DNN is our speech DNN, which provides real-time conversational enhancement,” McKinnon says. “It detects conversational partners and enhances their voices.” RealTime Conversation Enhancement AI is designed to locate and enhance multiple conversation partners in dynamic group situations, and processes 75% more data points per second than Signia’s prior IX platform. “Uniquely, it can create up to three directional beams simultaneously that focus on different speakers at the same time and follow them. That’s very different from systems that only focus on one person in
front of the wearer,” McKinnon says. “The third DNN is Dynamic Noise Control AI – this is the noise reduction part. This is where most of the industry stops. We do that as well, but rather than treating noise reduction as the entire solution, it forms one component of the wider solution.” The fourth is Own Voice Processing AI, which detects when the wearer is speaking. McKinnon says own-voice perception can be a significant issue for new hearing aid users, with an overly loud or unnatural voice potentially contributing to people returning their hearing aids. “One big complaint – and it accounts for about 30% of returns – is that people don’t like how their own voice sounds. It’s too loud,” he says. “MaX intelligently recognises when the wearer is speaking and avoids unnecessary amplification because it isn’t needed. Plus, thanks to advanced AI, it’s ready to deliver a personalised experience right out of the box – no extra training during fitting required.” The four DNNs are designed to share information continuously rather than operate as isolated functions. “Knowing when the wearer is speaking is also crucial for deciding how the system should behave,” he says. “All four DNNs work together in Acoustic Intelligence – a system-level intelligence that coordinates everything.” Signia says its ultra-fast ear-to-ear technology also keeps the two hearing aids synchronised as the listening environment changes, supporting coordinated binaural processing. NOT JUST QUIETENING McKinnon says effective hearing in noise does not mean eliminating everything except speech. “We don’t want to eliminate all noise. A totally silent environment can feel very uncomfortable,” he says. “Sound connects us to our surroundings – the ambience, the room, the soundscape so the challenge is to reduce noise enough to protect speech but not strip away the life from the environment.” That philosophy sits behind Signia’s “Live Noisy” positioning for MaX. “MaX really focuses on those challenging situations, and our launch tagline is ‘Live Noisy’. Hearing loss tends to shrink people’s lives; they become less social,” McKinnon says. “In line with our brand idea to ‘Be Brilliant’, we want people to live their best lives with hearing loss, to get back out into noisy, vibrant environments rather than avoiding them. “That’s why we launched at Luna Park. There aren’t many places noisier than a theme park; it perfectly fits the idea to Live Noisy.” Signia says independent testing found
IMPROVED CONNECTIVITY Connectivity is another major component of the platform. With OneConnect, McKinnon explains that MaX supports the two main universal Bluetooth technologies: Bluetooth Classic, which virtually every phone supports, and the newer LE Audio, which is more energy-efficient and higher quality. OneConnect also incorporates telecoil and Auracast, giving the Pure Charge&Go MaX a broad connectivity platform. “It’s also Auracast-ready,” McKinnon says. “Auracast is like broadcast Bluetooth. With the app you can pick up a broadcast in a venue – a concert, an airport gate announcement – and stream directly to your ears. The infrastructure is still emerging, but by having it in the hearing aid now, we’re making MaX more future-proof.” Full Auracast functionality is scheduled to be enabled through a firmware update delivered via the Signia One app by March 2027. The new Signia One app takes AI beyond sound processing, with an updated Signia Assistant using large language model technology so wearers can type or speak their problem in natural language, and it understands and helps. Rather than navigating through multiple settings, wearers can describe what they are experiencing. “If you say, ‘I’m in a restaurant and I’m having trouble hearing the person in front of me’, it can analyse the acoustic environment, go to the cloud, look at hundreds of thousands of similar cases, and suggest an AI-based adjustment you can apply in real time,” McKinnon says. He describes this as “AI for personalisation”, giving users a more natural way to interact with their hearing aids. SMALL BUT POWERFUL Bringing four DNNs together requires significant processing capability but Signia says the MaX chip has been
Images: Signia.
97% of wearers performed better with MaX than key competitors in noisy group conversations, while MaX ranked first for signal-to-noise ratio performance in group conversation in noise.
Above: Four DNNs work together on a single chip in MaX. Right: The Signia Pure Charge & Go MaX hearing aid in champagne.
designed to balance performance with power consumption. “The chip itself is about 54 times more powerful – delivering that many times more processing power – than previous generations, about 50% more energy-efficient and it has twice the memory,” McKinnon says. “You need that power for AI, but you can’t just throw energy at it or the battery would drain too fast.” Additionally, MaX provides about 30 hours of use between charges. The portable charger stores up to four full charges, with a full charge taking four hours, and up to six hours of runtime available from 30 minutes of charging. The Pure Charge&Go MaX is the first device on the platform.
Image: Prime Creative Media.
MaX was launched with the theme ‘Live Noisy’.
It is a receiver-in-canal (RIC) model, designed for hearing losses ranging from very mild through to severe. “RICs balance performance and cosmetics extremely well, which is why this is our standard launch model. Over time, we’ll bring the MaX technology into other form factors too,” McKinnon says. Despite the additional processing power, the device has not grown in size. “Importantly, MaX is the same physical size as our previous IX devices. We’ve integrated all this AI into a single chip rather than adding a separate AI chip, so we’ve avoided needing a bigger battery or a larger device.” The proposition is less about adding AI for its own sake and more about applying it across the full complexity of everyday listening. “Crucially, it’s not just about raw processing; it’s about training. MaX has been trained on around 40 million sound samples across 11 languages and six music genres,” McKinnon says. “Instead of an engineer hand-programming how it should behave, the system learns from vast real-world data.” With its focus on multiple speakers, changing acoustic scenes, noise, own voice and connectivity, MaX represents Signia’s attempt to move hearing aid AI beyond making difficult environments quieter and towards helping wearers remain part of them. For more information, visit: www.signia-pro. com/en-au/ HEARING PRACTITIONER AUSTRALIA
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HPA DPS Nuance Audio Plus-Revised.indd 1
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HEARING AIDS
From left, GN says the ReSound Sensia receiver-in-ear models, and the Beltone Illuminate microRIE, hearing aids are the world’s smallest AI powered hearing aids.
Elevating the voice you want to hear GN says its latest hearing aids, ReSound Sensia and Beltone Illuminate, identify the speaker that a wearer wants to hear, and automatically deploy the technology to bring that voice forward.
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busy room can make it difficult to listen to the person you want to hear but GN says its newest premium hearing-aid families, ReSound Sensia and Beltone Illuminate, are designed to tackle that problem. The devices are powered by a new AI platform and include microRIE (receiverin-ear) models that the company says are the smallest AI-powered hearing aids in the world. GN says ReSound Sensia and Beltone Illuminate spotlight the intended speaker by combining three technologies – the world’s most accurate environmental classifier, an advanced four-microphone directional beamformer, and deep neural network (DNN) noise reduction – into a single automatically coordinated system. This innovative approach to sound processing, called Intelligent All-Around, is said to automatically lift the speech the user wants to focus on. “Hearing aids that use DNN noise reduction can suppress background noise, but most do so without reference to what the listener actually wants to hear,” says GN president Peter Justesen. “In practice, this means the loudest voice in the environment is amplified, even though it is often not the one the user is trying to follow.” Rather than simply reducing background noise, the system is designed to determine the listening environment, assess where speech is coming from and decide when DNN processing is likely to provide a benefit. Brian Dam Pedersen, GN Group CTO and head of research and technology, says the development represents an evolution of
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technology introduced in the company’s previous platform. “At GN we build several hearing aids on the same chipset platform, and we deliberately build in enough headroom so we can improve things over several years when we introduce a new chipset,” he says. With Sensia, the underlying chipset is the same as GN’s previous platform, but the firmware has been substantially reworked. “We’ve completely revamped the firmware. That’s what enables the new Sensia features,” he says. A key driver behind Sensia was feedback from GN’s earlier DNN technology in the previous Viva platform, where DNN noise reduction was available as a dedicated feature. It proved popular, but users and clinicians told GN that people might not remember to activate it when they found themselves in a challenging listening situation, Pedersen says. “On Viva, we got a lot of positive feedback on the DNN feature, but one clear piece of feedback was: ‘Can you make this available in the automatic program? People may forget to switch into it when they need it,” Pedersen says. Making DNN available automatically presented two challenges. “When you engage DNN processing, the sound picture changes quite a lot, especially how noise sounds around you, and power consumption goes up significantly,” he says. SMOOTH TRANSITION GN needed to determine when DNN processing would genuinely help while ensuring the transition was smooth and battery consumption remained manageable.
“We had to redesign the classifier so we only engage the DNN when we’re really sure people will benefit and make the switching so smooth that users don’t find it jarring when moving in and out of DNN processing,” he says. The result is the Intelligent All-Around program in which the hearing aid makes those decisions automatically. The practical benefit is that performance in difficult environments becomes less dependent on patients remembering which program to select. At the centre of the system is AcoustIQ, GN’s new real-time environmental classifier. According to GN, testing against other premium solutions showed 88% greater accuracy in classification and feature engagement. “Instead of trying to classify a huge number of environments, we decided to become extremely good at the ones that matter most for steering the DNN,” Pedersen says. “We focused on speech-in-noise environments where we see clear benefit from the DNN. “The classifier is effectively looking at: is this speech in noise or not, what is the signal to noise ratio, and where are the talkers located around the user? The spatial position of speakers around the device is part of what the system is constantly assessing.” This is important as GN is not relying on DNN processing alone, he adds. The beamformer provides the first stage of focusing, while the DNN subsequently works on the residual noise. “We describe Sensia as using a trio of technologies: the beamformer, the DNN-based noise reduction, and the acoustic classifier that steers everything.”
REAL-WORLD LISTENING GN used anonymised data from hearing-aid users to help determine when automatic DNN activation is most useful. Pedersen says the company’s panel of users provide aggregated information about the soundscapes in which people choose particular features. “It’s not real-time tracking of individuals – we’re not seeing when you’re in bed – but we do aggregate statistics that show in which soundscapes people choose to use specific features,” he says. Results challenged some of GN’s assumptions. “People preferred to use the DNN at higher signal-to-noise ratios than we expected – even in moderately noisy environments, users often switched into the DNN program,” Pedersen says. That led GN to adjust the thresholds governing automatic activation. Cafés and highly reverberant environments emerged as situations in which users valued DNN processing more than expected. The aim is not to have AI running constantly, but to deploy it selectively when the system predicts a meaningful benefit.
Images: GN.
SPOTLIGHTING THE MAIN VOICE The directional system is designed to respond to where the wearer is orienting their attention. “The devices track where the speaker is located, and that’s what guides the beamforming. When you have one main talker, we can make a very narrow beam and really ‘spotlight’ that person,” Pedersen says. “If you have two people in front of you and you want to hear them both, the system automatically switches to a slightly different strategy with a wider beam to include them.” The automatic steering is based on head movement rather than eye tracking. “The head movement tells us where you’re orienting your attention, and the beamformer follows,” Pedersen says. GN has been developing four-microphone beamforming since ReSound ONE and has refined it through subsequent generations. “In Sensia, we’ve fine-tuned it further so it works in harmony with the auto-steering DNN,” he says. The philosophy is to use the directional microphone system to establish the acoustic focus before applying DNN processing to clean up what remains. “Our approach is to let the beamformer do the first stage of denoising and then use the DNN to clean up the residual noise in that beam,” Pedersen says. “That allows us to really spotlight the voices in the beam and gives people more control over who they hear.” Independent testing by researchers at world-renowned hearing research institute Hörzentrum Oldenburg found the combination delivered better audibility of the intended speaker, rather than simply favouring the loudest speech in the environment.
Above and right: The range spotlights the speaker’s voice; The full line-up of Beltone Illuminate hearing aids.
GN says internal trials found about 80% of users experienced better audibility of the intended talker with the automatic DNN strategy compared with a similar strategy without DNN in its own previous generation processing. Users also reported greater speech clarity and appreciated not having to manually change programs. NO BATTERY SACRIFICE The selective approach also addresses one of the practical challenges associated with increasingly sophisticated hearing-aid processing: power consumption. GN says Sensia and Illuminate provide up to 24 hours of battery life in rechargeable microRIE and ITC/ITE styles, even with DNN denoising available automatically. The company says this efficiency makes its denoising 17 times more efficient than other AI-powered hearing solutions. “Even with these advanced DNN and beamforming features, we still deliver around 24 hours of use from the rechargeable battery,” Pedersen says. “That was a key requirement for us. “The new microRIE style is about 6% smaller than its closest premium competitor, and as far as we can see it’s the smallest AI-powered hearing aid in the world. We take a lot of pride in that. “Alongside performance, the visual and physical footprint of the hearing aid is one of the top priorities for many users.” A development of interest to clinicians working with bimodal users is that GN is introducing ReSound Sensia Bimodal and ReSound Enzo IA Bimodal, designed to work with Cochlear Nucleus sound processors.
The devices are intended to provide closer integration between the hearing aid and Cochlear’s ecosystem, including control through the Cochlear app. “Previously, people often had to use one app or controller for the hearing aid and another for the cochlear implant,” Pedersen says. “Now, with these dedicated devices, we can bring that experience together much more seamlessly.” GN’s ReSound Smart Fit 2.4 and Beltone Solus Max 2.4 fitting software has also been updated with a simpler interface and incorporates Audiogram+ alongside the NAL-NL3 prescriptive framework. Pedersen says GN adopted NAL-NL3 early and is continuing to build around the standard. The company is gradually overhauling its fitting software rather than introducing a wholesale redesign because it’s learned that a major overhaul all at once creates pushback with people having to relearn too much at once. Some changes are aimed directly at practice efficiency. Firmware updates, for example, can now be performed without opening the patient file. “In larger clinics, that means you can move firmware updates to front-office staff instead of needing a trained audiologist to do it,” Pedersen says. “Changes like that help with the day-to-day running of a practice and free up audiologists’ time.” *Available in microRIE and RIE styles with ZincAir 312 and 13 batteries, non-wireless CIC custom-made style, wireless ITC custom-made style, and rechargeable ITC and ITE custom-made styles. HEARING PRACTITIONER AUSTRALIA
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From left, Aditee and Kartik Iyer at Boutique Hearing Clinic.
A power partnership For independent audiologists, choosing a hearing aid manufacturer is about more than the technology. It’s about a partnership built on shared values: clinical excellence, innovation, independence, responsiveness and trust, say ADITEE and KARTIK IYER.
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hen Melbourne audiologist Aditee Iyer founded her independent practice Boutique Hearing Clinic in 2023, she began with just a room in a medical practice and knew little about running a successful business. In 2024, her husband Dr Kartik Iyer joined the business, bringing together two clinicians who each have more than 20 years of individual audiological expertise. Together, Aditee and Kartik say they have now built a practice that combines extensive clinical experience with a deeply personal approach to hearing care. Today, with two clinics, a growing team and recognition through local business awards, the Iyers have created a practice firmly grounded in their original values where clinical judgement, personalised care and patient outcomes come before commercial considerations. They say their partnership with Starkey has been an important part of that journey, with the relationship now approaching four years. The Iyers say choosing a hearing aid
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manufacturer has never been simply about the technology. As independent clinic owners, they say they are highly selective about the brands they recommend, understanding that every recommendation ultimately reflects the trust patients place in them. “Starkey stood out to us because it offered both excellent products and exceptional customer service,” Aditee says. “We’ve found Starkey hearing aids to be incredibly successful, particularly for first-time fittings. The technology is intuitive, the software is clinician-friendly, and the devices provide our patients with a very natural and seamless hearing experience.” INNOVATION WITH PURPOSE Innovation has been another defining part of the partnership. The Iyers see Starkey as a leader in hearing technology, particularly in its approach to integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into hearing solutions. “Edge Mode is a great example,” Aditee says. “It gives the wearer the ability
PARTNERSHIP BEYOND PRODUCTS That support has extended well beyond hearing aid supply. Like any growing independent business, Boutique Hearing Clinic has faced the challenges that come with establishing and expanding a practice. Throughout that journey, the Iyers say Starkey has consistently provided guidance, practical assistance and genuine support. “It has never felt like simply a supplier relationship,” Aditee says. “There is a genuine sense that Starkey wants its independent partners to succeed.” The Iyers particularly acknowledge Dawn Rollings, managing director of Starkey Hearing Technologies Australia, whose leadership they describe as passionate and compassionate, as well as the wider Starkey team for its ongoing clinical, educational, marketing and business support. For an independent practice, that kind of relationship is invaluable, they say. Ultimately, the strength of any hearing Image: Aditee Iyer.
Image: Aditee Iyer.
to adapt their hearing experience in challenging listening situations, helping them communicate more seamlessly in complex and unpredictable environments. For our patients, that can make a significant difference to their confidence and independence.” The breadth of Starkey’s portfolio is equally important to an independent practice, they say, as it gives them the flexibility to select solutions according to each patient’s hearing needs, lifestyle, preferences and desired level of technology. For many patients, practical considerations such as durability and water resistance are equally important, particularly when hearing technology is expected to become part of everyday life. Yet for the Iyers, exceptional technology is only part of the equation. The people behind the technology matter just as much. “Product performance matters, but so does having people you can rely on when you need support,” Kartik says. “With Starkey, the people, the support and the culture have been excellent.”
Omega AI hearing aids.
GROWING THROUGH KNOWLEDGE Education and professional development have also played an important role in the relationship. The Iyers value Starkey’s webinars, roadshows, workshops and seminars, particularly opportunities that provide practical, clinically relevant knowledge that can be translated directly into better patient care. While Boutique Hearing Clinic works with multiple manufacturers to ensure patients have access to a broad range of technologies and solutions, they say Starkey remains a valued strategic partner. For the Iyers, the relationship ultimately comes down to a set of shared values: clinical excellence, innovation, independence, responsiveness and trust. “As an independent practice, our reputation is everything,” Kartik says. “We need manufacturers who genuinely have our back. Starkey has consistently demonstrated that it does.” The partnership represents something greater for Boutique Hearing Clinic than technology alone. It is about bringing together more than 40 years of combined individual audiological experience, the freedom of an independent practice, and a shared commitment to helping patients live more confidently. “Because ultimately, better hearing is not just about hearing more,” Aditee says. “It is about participating more, connecting more and feeling fully part of the moments that matter.”
Images: Gary Andrew.
technology is best measured not by its specifications, but by the difference it makes to someone's life. One of their patients, Margaret, had gradually withdrawn from many of the social activities she once enjoyed because conversations had become increasingly difficult. Family gatherings were exhausting, particularly when several people were speaking at once, and she had begun sitting quietly rather than participating. After her fitting with Starkey Omega AI hearing aids, the change was remarkable, Kartik says. At her follow-up appointment, Margaret described being able to sit at a family lunch and genuinely follow the conversation rather than trying to piece together what everyone was saying. She had also begun joining her friends for regular outings again, with less anxiety about missing what was being said. But it was one simple comment that stayed with the Iyers: “I feel like I’ve got my place back at the table,” Margaret said. “For us, that is what hearing care is ultimately about,” Aditee says. “The technology is remarkable, but the real measure of success is what that technology allows a person to do – reconnect with family, participate in conversations, regain confidence and continue living the life they enjoy.”
Above, L-R: Patient Gary Andrew says Omega AI hearing aids have changed his life; The devices are so discreet they can barely be seen.
Back in the conversation “This whole experience has changed my life. I am now looking forward to the future with Starkey and re-engaging in conversation with grandchildren. I am a very, very happy customer.” This is the testimony of retired businessman, Gary Andrew, 71, from NSW, a convert to Starkey’s Omega AI hearing aids. For years Andrew had a successful business stocking Bunnings gardening stores along Australia’s east coast. But when hearing loss began 10 years ago, it gradually narrowed his world. Meetings left him exhausted; concerts became too difficult and conversations with family were increasingly challenging. He first noticed his hearing loss during regular flights between Melbourne and Sydney for business. “I really noticed it when the plane dropped suddenly in bad weather. For four or five days afterwards, I could hardly hear anything,” he says. The impact bled into his work and social life. “In meetings, I always needed someone with me to help because I just wasn’t catching everything. I’d walk out of meetings exhausted from concentrating so hard,” Andrew says. His first hearing aids, bought mainly for tinnitus, did little to improve his tinnitus or hearing loss so he tried Starkey devices, which helped for five years before his hearing deteriorated. At one point he was advised to consider a cochlear implant, but he wanted to avoid surgery because of a heart condition. He subsequently trialled premium devices from two brands but says they made things worse. Andrew researched his options and on the advice of a relative, chose Omega AI. Omega AI features world-first deep neural network (DNN)-powered directionality for all-round hearing, better speech intelligibility and spatial awareness. He was fitted at Shire Hearing in Sydney, and was impressed by audiometrist Krystal Allen, herself a Starkey hearing aid wearer. “I’ve since had a follow up consultation after wearing them for a few weeks and had features explained that I wasn’t using. My hearing is still improving and the ringing of tinnitus is reducing more each week,” he says. Initially, Andrew manually changed settings, but Allen showed him how to program the devices to respond automatically to different environments. “From day one, things changed for the better,” he says. The biggest change was returning to activities he’d abandoned because of difficulty hearing in noisy environments. “Omega AI has been transformative,” Andrew says. “I can do things again like going to concerts and social events that I’d stopped going to because I couldn’t hear well enough.” At one pub, he initially could not hear his friends over a band but after adjusting settings on his phone, he could follow the conversation clearly. “That was probably the biggest sign of success with Omega AI for me,” he says. In groups, the technology helps him “lock onto” and focus on the person he wants to hear while retaining awareness of surrounding conversations. The improvement has also been felt in home life, making conversations with his wife, family and grandchildren easier. Omega AI has also reduced the listening effort that once left him exhausted after meetings. “I don’t feel that same level of fatigue,” he says. “I can follow along, and I walk away feeling okay rather than drained.” Another bonus is reduced tinnitus, which he now barely notices. Andrew has recommended the devices to friends: “Don’t wait until you’re really struggling. Get tested and get help early.”
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Embracing OPSM’s hearing care model Image: Vanessa Reganti.
Audiology has been steadily growing in OPSM stores since launching in Australia in 2025 and now features in 17 locations. New recruits CLINTON NOTTINGHAM and VANESSA REGANTI detail their experiences.
Queensland OPSM audiologist Vanessa Reganti.
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he opportunity to help build OPSM’s hearing care service was as much about a new professional challenge as it was about joining an established healthcare brand for Adelaide audiologist Clinton Nottingham and Maroochydore audiologist Vanessa Reganti. Both were attracted to the model of bringing audiology into an optical environment, where existing customer relationships, retail infrastructure and the combination of eye and hearing care could create a different kind of patient journey. Nottingham, the first OPSM audiologist in South Australia, works across OPSM’s Marion store at Westfield Oaklands Park and the Rundle Mall flagship, spending two days at each. He heard about OPSM hearing care before seeing a job advertisement. “It was appealing because there are new customers coming through the door all the time (for glasses), a strong retail network already in place, and innovative products like Nuance Audio Glasses,” he says. “I liked the idea of eyes and ears in the same place as a strong offering for customers. I knew it would be a challenge, but I wanted to get in at the ground level
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and help roll out the hearing business in South Australia.” He says people are surprised when they hear OPSM offers hearing care but most are open to it. “And it’s been surprising how quickly things have grown, given this was a new business in May. Feedback has been very positive. “People love being able to get their eyes and ears looked after in one place and having records for both in the same place.” Reganti started at OPSM Maroochydore in June 2026. She discovered the opportunity through an article in Hearing Practitioner Australia about the first audiologist to work in a NSW OPSM store, Marisa Varrica, who has recently been promoted to managing audiologist to support clients and the growing clinical team at OPSM. “It looked like a great opportunity to contribute to building audiology with an established company alongside other trusted professionals,” Reganti says. “I’ve really enjoyed the role. We’ve had a lot of positive feedback from clients who have booked in to receive hearing services, and our client base is growing.” The role has a strong personal connection for Reganti who was diagnosed with
sensorineural hearing loss at age seven and fitted with hearing aids. She completed a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Hearing Sciences at Canada’s Brock University before moving to Australia to complete a Master of Audiology Studies at The University of Queensland, graduating in 2020. “Going through the different stages of my life with a hearing loss and hearing aids has given me a unique and personal perspective on the field of audiology,” she says. “My experience allows me to relate to the struggles that my clients go through and helps me to provide them with personalised solutions tailored to their hearing loss and lifestyle.” Nottingham graduated from Flinders University in 2014 and has worked across a Melbourne startup, a large retail group and a clinic specialising in vestibular and balance diagnostics. “Across those roles I’ve done a bit of everything, and that’s made me really confident in my clinical knowledge,” he says. FROM THE GROUND UP Moving audiology into an established optical business has required both to learn how hearing care can fit naturally into an existing patient journey. Before starting, Nottingham completed a company induction and spent several days with Varrica, observing how hearing care operates in an optical store. “I’d also read her story (in HPA) when I was researching the role,” he says. “It’s a lot less intimidating than starting your own business from scratch and having to find all your own customers.” Product training followed, with suppliers visiting Adelaide to deliver a session to optometrists and retail staff covering hearing care. They also discussed troubleshooting and the practicalities of incorporating audiology into the customer experience. Reganti similarly shadowed optometry and retail teams at surrounding OPSM clinics, and another audiologist, to learn the processes and collaborate on ways to smoothly integrate audiology into the flow of care. OPSM’s director of audiology services, Naomi Nicolinas, also provided onboarding and ongoing support. Collaboration with optometrists and retail staff has been central to the model and both teams have provided support and guidance.
Hearing screening is offered as part of the pre-test process by retail staff or while customers are waiting. Optometrists can also prompt conversations about hearing, while Nuance Audio Glasses provide another opportunity to introduce the subject. Customers who do not pass a screening are offered a comprehensive hearing assessment that day or at another appointment. Reganti says the approach is particularly convenient for people who require both eyecare and hearing care. “Our patients already trust us with their eyecare, and as a result, trust us with their hearing care as well,” she says. That existing relationship can be a significant advantage in introducing audiology to people who may otherwise delay seeking help. Same-day fitting is another attraction. OPSM holds GN ReSound and Phonak stock, enabling suitable customers to trial and select devices according to their needs and lifestyle, he says. Custom-made devices remain subject to manufacturing times. Nottingham says the convenience is particularly valuable for time-poor customers and people travelling from regional areas. “I’ve had patients from rural areas or who have had hearing aids on their to-do list for a while but haven’t been able to access services,” he says. “They’re really pleased when they find out we can set them up on the same day and they can get their eyes and ears sorted in one visit.” One recent patient was due to travel overseas the following week and was working full-time. She was able to have her hearing assessed and hearing aids fitted before leaving. But Nottingham says not every patient is ready to decide immediately. “In those cases, my role becomes more of an educator,” he says, explaining hearing loss, the consequences of not acting, and
the benefits and realistic expectations of hearing aids and other assistive listening devices. Technology helps broaden the conversation, he says. Nuance Audio Glasses offer an option for people with mild to moderate hearing loss who may not be ready for conventional hearing aids. They also appeal to younger customers, people with dexterity problems and those who do not want devices in their ears. “In my experience, the Nuance glasses often become a first step for people not quite ready for hearing aids who’ll get the glasses to help in restaurants, crowds, at work meetings, situations like that,” he says. He has already had customers return after using the glasses, ready to explore hearing aids. “Conversely, if someone’s trialled hearing aids and they don’t feel quite right, I’ll suggest they try the audio glasses; we still have another clinically meaningful alternative to offer,” he says. Reganti says offering hearing technology in the optical environment creates another natural entry point into hearing care. BUILDING TRUST Both audiologists believe the established OPSM brand provides a valuable foundation and Nottingham points to long-standing relationships between optometrists and their patients as a major advantage. “The OPSM brand carries a lot of trust,” he says. “Those loyal patients are coming back because of the brand and the practitioner. That trust naturally extends to
hearing care as well – people think, ‘We’ve trusted you with our eyes; we’re happy to trust you with our ears too.’ “Having that existing trust and loyalty before I even started has been a huge help.” Reganti has also been encouraged by the response at Maroochydore. “I appreciate having the opportunity to help build the foundation for audiology in the earlier stages with OPSM,” she says. Nottingham is enjoying the role. “I like the freedom to have extended appointment times and to practise clinically in a way that I feel meets best practice,” he says. But it’s the immediate impact on patients that keeps him motivated. “My favourite part of the job and the reason I look forward to coming to work is seeing the instant difference we can make in people’s lives,” he says. “My advice to audiologists thinking about a role with OPSM is to give it a try. The combination of clinical autonomy, extended appointments and the challenge of building a new service was exactly what I was looking for.” The opportunity is equally compelling for Reganti. “This role is a great leadership opportunity, and a unique opportunity to collaborate with other healthcare professionals. “You'll have the chance to integrate audiology into a new clinic and build it from the ground up,” she says. “It will allow you to grow professionally and help you to provide holistic support to your clients. If you're looking for a new challenge, OPSM is a great place to start.”
Clinton Nottingham displaying Nuance Audio Glasses at OPSM.
Image: Clinton Nottingham.
Image: Clinton Nottingham.
OPSM Adelaide audiologist Clinton Nottingham.
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Sharing knowledge globally ATSU’s online Post-Professional Doctor of Audiology Program has added new course subjects and continues to grow in popularity with Australians. Hear from the program’s first Australian lecturer Dr BETTINA TURNBULL and ATSU’s MELANIE GIBSON.
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Image: Bettina Turnbull.
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Audiologist and ATSU lecturer Dr Bettina Turnbull.
WHAT THE AUD CHANGED Dr Turnbull says the program was transformative and, for her, it was primarily about professional and personal development. “For me, the AuD brought a much deeper appreciation of all the topics I’d studied,” she says. “I’d been away from front line diagnostics for a long time, so I used it partly to refresh that – vestibular assessment, electrophysiology, and new tests like VEMPs.” But perhaps the biggest shift is in how she now thinks. “This course demands a rigorous and evidence-driven approach to learning,” she says. “Every claim must be supported by peer-reviewed literature, encouraging you to critically evaluate the quality, relevance, and validity of everything you read and write. “Through this process, you develop the ability to synthesise complex information, apply sound clinical judgement, and make evidence-based decisions in practice. It
Image: Melanie Gibson.
hen Bettina Turnbull enrolled in an online Doctor of Audiology (AuD) program with America’s A.T. Still University (ATSU) in 2019, she did it to sharpen her critical thinking and stay at the top of her profession. She was one of the first Australians to undertake the Post-Professional Doctor of Audiology program and did not expect that she would later become ATSU’s first Australian audiology lecturer, teaching new cohorts of audiologists across the globe. Her love of teaching and thirst for knowledge made it a perfect fit though. “Despite being fully online, you form strong connections,” she says. “You’re sitting in Sydney, but working with students in Brazil, the Middle East, the US, Europe – and you know that what they learn will ripple out to thousands of patients. “The more you put into something like the AuD, the more it gives back. Every time you teach one clinician well, you indirectly impact all the people they’ll treat over their career. That sense of global impact is what really keeps me going.” Dr Turnbull records lectures which students watch in their own time and interacts with the students on online forums and via email. Her full-time job is senior innovation audiologist, a role that bridges high-level evidence and day-to-day practice, at the National Acoustic Laboratories (NAL) in Sydney – the same institution where she began her career straight out of university. Between those two NAL chapters lies a three-decade career that has spanned clinical diagnostics, industry leadership, curriculum design, and teaching. By the late 2010s, after years spanning research, education and leadership, she wanted to formalise and extend her expertise. “I thought, ‘I’d really like to do a PhD or an AuD,’” she says, adding an internal senior expert program at Sonova, built around a substantial research project, sharpened that impulse. “I like lots of different topics. Focusing on a single PhD topic for years would have been hard for me. The AuD’s structure suited me better and aligned with my teaching and clinical interests.” Australia offered no AuD pathway, so she looked abroad, enrolled in ATSU and completed her doctorate in audiology in 2021.
gives you the confidence to engage with new concepts and emerging knowledge, equipping you with the skills to assess, interpret, and apply information thoughtfully and effectively throughout your working day. “Now, when I see a claim, I automatically step back, research it properly, and go to the primary sources. It’s made me more systematic and that flows directly into my work.” Dr Turnbull’s transition to ATSU lecturer happened quickly. The year after she graduated, she was invited to teach the telehealth in audiology course which became very relevant during the COVID years when telepractice exploded. More recently she designed and now teaches a four-week course on the ethical use of artificial intelligence (AI) in audiology practice. The idea was born at the 2024 World Audiology Congress in Paris, where she attended a session on AI in education. “I was sitting there thinking, ‘Students are
“For Australian audiologists, I think that combination of advanced clinical education, flexibility, and international perspective is particularly valuable.”
Melanie Gibson ATSU
clearly using AI, but we’re not teaching them how to use it – or when not to,’” Dr Turnbull recalls. After discussing this with ATSU staff present at the Congress, she was asked to develop a four-week curriculum which resulted in the first offering of the course in December 2025. The subject covers the rapidly expanding role of AI in hearing healthcare, AI fundamentals, hearing device applications, clinical productivity tools and administration, evidence-based practice, practice efficiency, and literature searching. It also delves into the governance and ethics of AI, including bias, privacy and hallucinations. Students critically examine AI-generated information, patient-data privacy, ethical considerations, and regulatory and legal implications of incorporating AI into clinical practice. Cohorts including mid- and late-career audiologists from around the world have been highly engaged, she says. MORE AUSTRALIANS Melanie Gibson, ATSU’s director of curricular coordination and support, Department of Audiology, says the department has continued to evolve the curriculum in response to changes occurring within audiology and healthcare. Apart from the new AI course, the program has added the genetics and paediatric audiology: foundations and clinical practice course. This 10-week course integrates foundations of genetics, paediatric assessment, amplification, early hearing detection and intervention, family-centred counselling, genetic testing and referral, and multidisciplinary care. “Both are examples of how we are continuing to update the AuD curriculum around areas that are changing clinical practice rather than simply adding coursework for the sake of earning a credential,” Gibson says. Interest in the AuD among Australian audiologists has grown considerably in recent years, she says.
Image: Bettina Turnbull.
“Our records show that 67 Australian audiologists have enrolled in ATSU’s Doctor of Audiology programs, including 14 who completed our former Transitional Doctor of Audiology (TAUD) Program and 53 who have enrolled in our current Post-Professional Doctor of Audiology Program,” she says. “Our connection with the Australian audiology community has expanded beyond student enrolment. Dr Bettina Turnbull was our first Australian faculty member, and we now have additional Australian audiologists and ATSU alumni contributing their expertise to the program.” Sydney audiologist Dr Signe Steers teaches the newly updated global healthcare and audiology course while Tasmanian audiologist Dr Heidi Modrovich teaches practice development and marketing. Gibson says Dr Steers brings a strong international perspective. In addition to private practice and university teaching, her work has focused on public health frameworks, healthcare systems, workforce distribution, funding models, social determinants of health, and equitable access to hearing healthcare. She also developed a community-based hearing healthcare model in the Philippines. Dr Modrovich is a business owner based in Hobart and vice-president of Independent Audiologists Australia. Gibson says she brings more than 20 years of experience across corporate, industry and private practice settings and combines clinical expertise with an MBA and extensive experience in practice development, strategic management and healthcare marketing. “Having Australian faculty is important to us because they bring perspectives on healthcare delivery, professional practice and the challenges facing audiologists outside the United States,” Gibson says. “That is increasingly important as the program itself becomes more international.” One of the most encouraging developments has been that Australian participation is no longer represented by an
Image: Melanie Gibson.
Dr Bettina Turnbull, fourth from right, graduating at ATSU.
Melanie Gibson, ATSU’s director of curricular coordination and support, Department of Audiology.
occasional individual student, she says. “We are developing a genuine Australian community within the program. Australian audiologists are enrolling alongside colleagues from their own professional community, learning from Australian faculty, and at the same time engaging with audiologists and faculty from other healthcare systems around the world,” she says. The Post-Professional AuD is designed for practising audiologists, so the aim is not to repeat their previous clinical education but build upon it, Gibson adds. “Students are encouraged to examine evidence, challenge existing approaches, explore emerging areas of practice, and apply what they are learning directly within their own professional environments,” she says. “For Australian audiologists, I think that combination of advanced clinical education, flexibility, and international perspective is particularly valuable. The growth we are seeing suggests that the AuD is increasingly being viewed as an opportunity for experienced Australian audiologists who want to continue developing clinically and professionally without stepping away from practice.” Apply by 4 December 2026 for the 4 January 2027 intake. See atsu.edu.au. HEARING PRACTITIONER AUSTRALIA
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CONFERENCE
EXPERT INSIGHTS. WHEREVER YOU ARE. Learn from some of Australia’s leading experts in audiology, together with international speakers including Dr Sophia Kramer, Prof Grant Searchfield and Dr Eliot Shearer, as they share the latest research and innovative approaches to clinical practice. Explore a diverse program covering tinnitus care, the psychosocial impact of hearing loss, gene therapy for paediatric hearing loss, hearing aid uptake, cognition and more. Designed to fit around your work, our online conference gives you the flexibility to learn at a time that suits you. Earn 8 CPD points (Audiology Australia members) or a certificate of attendance (non-members).
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CAREERS
From clinician to partner Specsavers audiologists ANDREA WILSMORE and CAITLIN KAINE detail their ‘try before you buy’ journeys, showing how hearing professionals are exploring partnership before taking the leap.
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Specsavers Hastings’ partner audiologist Andrea Wilsmore.
Images: Specsavers.
n current-economy Australia, starting any business can feel daunting. In healthcare professions like audiology, the path to business ownership can feel even more difficult to navigate. Sometimes, all it takes is one opportunity to change the direction of that journey. Partnership wasn't necessarily part of the plan for audiologists Andrea Wilsmore and Caitlin Kaine. Both stepped into acting partner roles at Specsavers expecting a temporary opportunity. Instead, the experience gave them a first-hand look at business ownership and ultimately became a pathway to permanent partnership. While becoming a business owner can feel like a significant career move, Specsavers says acting partner opportunities are giving hearing professionals the chance to experience the realities of partnership before deciding whether it's the right long-term fit. Typically lasting around 12 months, the roles provide an opportunity to lead a business, develop new skills and gain valuable insight into life as a partner, all while supporting continuity of care for local customers. Specsavers professional recruitment manager audiology, Amanda La Ferla, says acting partner opportunities have become an increasingly valuable pathway for clinicians exploring the next stage of their careers. “For hearing professionals who are curious about partnership but unsure about making the leap, acting partner roles can offer a unique opportunity to experience the realities of running a business before committing long term,” La Ferla says. “We look for audiology professionals who are passionate about shaping the future of audiology through clinical excellence, transparent pricing and value-driven care. We give them the support to have a first-hand experience of what Specsavers partnership looks like in practice and the opportunity to lead and collaborate to achieve business and clinical outcomes. “What’s exciting about these opportunities is that they often become much more than a temporary role. They give clinicians the chance to see what partnership is really like, while also helping them decide whether it’s something they’d like to pursue longer term.”
MAKING THE DECISION Wilsmore, Specsavers Hastings audiology partner, says being an audiologist is a dream job, but signing on to become a partner felt like an out-of-reach commitment. “The best part of my career has always been having an emotional connection with clients,” she says. “I’ve had clients in tears while listening to music again, been told I’ve saved a marriage, and helped
business model before making a huge commitment. “The opportunity gave me a chance to see if Specsavers would work for me long-term,” she says. Kaine, Specsavers Mornington audiology partner, stepped in as an acting partner to give herself the chance to pursue a different career but it ended up making her feel reinvigorated about her audiology career.
“I STARTED IN THE STORE A FEW MONTHS AFTER THE OPTOMETRY BUSINESS OPENED AND I WAS GIVEN THREE PAGES OF CLIENTS TO CALL WHO ALREADY WANTED TO SEE ME.” Andrea Wilsmore Specsavers people feel re-engaged with the world. The feeling that I am having a positive impact on people’s lives keeps every day fresh and engaging. “I got to a point in my career where I wanted to develop my business and management skills while retaining my clinical expertise. I’d heard some great things about Specsavers and the combination of business support with clinical autonomy was very attractive.” Wilsmore saw an acting partner role advertised and immediately thought it would be a great option for her as it allowed her to trial the Specsavers
“I was working elsewhere, feeling burnt out and was considering leaving the profession when I applied for the acting partner position at Specsavers Mornington,” Kaine says. “I was tired of being restricted by the costs of available hearing aids and the poorer outcomes that my patients were receiving because they couldn’t afford appropriate technology, and I was missing structure in my work. “I had almost completed my MBA and planned to transition into a business-related role, but I realised that I didn’t have any formal business HEARING PRACTITIONER AUSTRALIA
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CAREERS
was very patient with my many questions and was a huge help especially when I required additional support to manage a specific staffing situation that I hadn’t encountered in my career before.”
Specsavers Mornington partner audiologist Caitlin Kaine.
Specsavers professional recruitment manager audiology, Amanda La Ferla.
experience to put on my resume so I applied for the acting partner position. “I figured 12 months of an acting partnership would give me good business-related experience so I could transition out of the field. Fortunately, it ended up renewing my love for audiology and convinced me to stay.” SUPPORT ON THE JOB La Ferla says successful acting partners typically have a strong clinical background, excellent communication skills and a desire to develop their leadership capabilities. While the role comes with responsibility, she says support is provided from day one. "These opportunities are designed for capable clinicians with strong leadership 40
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potential, but we would never expect someone to navigate the experience alone,” La Ferla says. “We recognise that permanent partners, who are often going on parental leave or other types of leave, are placing a great deal of trust in the acting partner who is stepping into their business while they take time away, so we work closely with everyone involved to ensure the experience is positive and well supported.” Wilsmore says being given the acting role felt like a lot of trust to receive as she suddenly had the same level of decision-making control over the business as the permanent partner, but receiving so much training and support made her feel comfortable and like she could thrive in the position. “I started my time as an acting partner with a comprehensive two-week onboarding process that went through all the technical and procedural information I would need for my new role,” she says. “I was supported when and how I needed it – face-to-face partner meetings, planned and ad hoc meetings with clinical and business supports, the wealth of information available on the intranet and the group chat, and regular upskilling sessions as required.” When asked about the support she received while acting partner, Kaine says she received regular check-ins from her designated audiology relationship manager and clinical performance consultant for the first three months, then had quarterly check ins. “I always knew there was someone on the end of the phone whenever I needed it,” Kaine says. “My audiology relationship manager
AFTER THE CONTRACT The acting partner roles for Kaine and Wilsmore eventually became a pathway to permanent partnership. Towards the end of her acting partner contract, Wilsmore successfully applied for the opportunity to become the audiology partner in a new Specsavers store in Hastings. For Kaine, the partner whose leave she had been covering chose to sell her the business. “The whole experience was essentially “try before you buy” in my case,” Kaine says. “I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to buy the audiology business and stay in the store where I was acting partner, so I knew the other partners and the staff and patients all really well before signing on as a partner. “Being an acting partner was a really great way to get a taste of partnership and the Specsavers culture before committing, especially in my case because I was unsure what I wanted my next career steps to be.” Wilsmore agrees: “Having been an acting partner meant I was already familiar with the clinical operations, business expectations, and management styles before I started as a partner, which really made for an easy transition,” she says. “Owning my own store has been same-but-different from acting partner. The role has largely been the same, but as I’m here for the long term, there has been a really rewarding emphasis on establishing myself in the community. I’ve bought my own home locally, I walk to work and there’s a supportive fibrecraft community that I’m excited to join. “I started in the store a few months after the optometry business opened and I was given three pages of clients to call who already wanted to see me. “Everyone has been extremely welcoming, as previously clients were having to travel to access the services they needed. I even had a client tell me the new Specsavers was the best thing to ever happen to Hastings.” What began as a temporary opportunity became something much bigger for Wilsmore and Kaine: a chance to explore partnership, grow professionally and discover a new direction for their careers. La Ferla says: "If partnership is something you'd like to explore further or learn about, we'd love to hear from you." Visit the website: join.specsavers.com/ audiology.
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ELEVATE. TRANSFORM. ADVANCE. Post-Professional Doctor of Audiology Program • Online customized curriculum • Continue to practice full-time while earning your AuD • Courses available for CEU or CPD
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Image: Stock.adobe.com and Shutterstock.com and Vorotek.
AUDIOLOGY
Clarifying our scope A modern approach to scope of practice shouldn’t just clarify which services are in scope for the profession – it should also increase the focus on the individual clinician. Audiology Australia CEO LEANNE EMERSON explains why this understanding was so important to recognise in the organisation’s new, draft Scope of Practice for Audiologists document.
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or audiologists, scope of practice has traditionally been understood through a relatively straightforward question: “what can an audiologist do?”. But contemporary healthcare increasingly demands a more nuanced investigation: “what is an audiologist educated, competent and authorised to do, in this context, for this client, at this point in their career?". That distinction sits at the heart of Audiology Australia’s new, draft Scope of Practice for Audiologists. The draft has been developed to replace the current Scope of Practice for Audiologists and Audiometrists. It represents a significant shift in approach: rather than relying primarily on a prescriptive list of services or activities, the new framework distinguishes between the scope of the profession and the scope of the individual practitioner. The profession’s scope describes the breadth of roles, activities and professional responsibilities that sit within audiology. An individual’s scope will be more specific, shaped by their qualifications, experience, continuing professional development, demonstrated competence, practice setting and the needs of the people they serve. This is an important change. Audiologists
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work across an increasingly diverse range of settings, from diagnostic assessment and hearing rehabilitation to implantable devices, paediatrics, vestibular care, tinnitus, research, education, policy and leadership. No individual audiologist will necessarily practise across every area encompassed by the profession. A modern scope therefore needs to describe the breadth of audiology clearly enough to support professional identity and public understanding, while recognising that safe practice depends on individual competence. In developing the draft, Audiology Australia reviewed approaches used across comparable health professions, including internationally and a clear trend was evident. Contemporary scope frameworks are moving away from static lists of tasks towards approaches that recognise professional judgement and evolving models of care that support advanced and expanded practice. Importantly, greater flexibility does not mean fewer safeguards. In many ways, an individualised model creates a stronger expectation of professional accountability. Audiologists must consider whether an activity sits within the scope of the profession and whether they personally
Above: Audiologists have a wide scope of practice including hearing aid fitting, hearing tests, tinnitus, APD, vestibular dysfunction and otitis media management, cerumen removal, plus cochlear implant mapping and referral.
have the education, skills, experience and current competence to undertake it safely. PRACTICAL TOOL To support those decisions, the draft includes a practical decision-making tool to help audiologists assess their own scope. The intention is not simply to answer, “Is this on a list?”, but to support a considered self-assessment of competence, context and professional responsibility. This approach also allows the profession to evolve. New technologies, changing consumer expectations, emerging evidence and different models of healthcare can alter practice quickly. A scope document that is based on an exhaustive list of activities risks becoming outdated almost as soon as it is published. A competency-based framework provides principles for safely incorporating new areas of practice without requiring the profession to redefine itself every time clinical practice advances. The development of a profession-
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Audeara
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Image: Audiology Australia.
specific Scope of Practice for Audiologists also reflects the changing regulatory environment. Following the decision to include audiology in the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme, Audiology Australia determined that the profession required a contemporary framework focused specifically on audiology. Registration brings a greater emphasis on professional accountability, public protection and a clearly defined professional standard. A contemporary scope framework is an important component of that environment. This is not about diminishing the role of audiometrists or other hearing professionals. Effective hearing care relies on different practitioners understanding their own roles, working within their competence and collaborating appropriately across professional boundaries. Hearing care is inherently multidisciplinary, and each profession brings a distinctive contribution. Recognising the equal value of those contributions is not the same as suggesting that professional roles, competencies or scopes of practice are interchangeable. The revised Scope of Practice for Audiologists therefore seeks to articulate the distinctive contribution of audiologists while respecting the complementary roles of other hearing health professions. Clear professional identity is not a barrier to
“Importantly, greater flexibility does not mean fewer safeguards. In many ways, an individualised model creates a stronger expectation of professional accountability.”
Leanne Emerson Audiology Australia collaboration; it is a foundation of safe, effective multidisciplinary care. These distinctions are also important when considering the composition of the broader hearing health workforce. As of July 2025, 84% of the hearing practitioner workforce (586 audiometrists and 3,033 audiologists) were working within the Hearing Services Program¹. A contemporary scope framework should recognise the distinctive roles and contributions of different professions, rather than assume that alignment across professions requires their competencies or scopes of practice to be interchangeable. Member input has been central to development. An externally facilitated workshop in March 2026 involved 24 members, whose feedback helped refine the draft. A broader member consultation followed in August, seeking feedback on the accuracy, completeness, relevance and practicality of the document. That feedback
will inform the next stage of refinement. Ultimately, the new approach reflects a profession that is growing, becoming more diverse, specialised and integrated into the broader health system. Scope of practice should not unnecessarily constrain capable clinicians, nor should it allow practice beyond competence. Audiology Australia’s aim is to provide clear professional boundaries while supporting individuals to develop, innovate and practise safely. The new Scope of Practice for Audiologists will be published towards the end of 2026.
Reference: 1. Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, Hearing Services Program, HSO Production Data, July 2025.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Leanne Emerson is Audiology Australia CEO. She is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and has a Graduate Diploma in Counselling and Applied Psychology.
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SOAPBOX
WHAT ACCESSIBLE COMMUNICATION LOOKS LIKE
BY RAE WALKER Accessibility discussions often begin with policy frameworks, strategy documents, consultation and public commitments. But for many Australians who are Deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, or living with hearing conditions, accessibility is ultimately experienced in much smaller, more immediate increments when going about daily life. There is a significant impact when catching a flight if you: •C an’t hear the boarding gate announcement. •C an’t follow safety instructions. •C an’t understand the inflight entertainment. •C an’t travel independently without needing to constantly ask for help. Too often, accessible communication is still treated as an optional layer rather than a core part of customer experience. Yet one in five Australians now live with hearing loss or associated hearing conditions. That figure alone should shift how organisations think about communication design, public engagement and accessibility. And we are encouraged when organisations move beyond acknowledging these realities and begin acting on them. At the National Disability Strategy Forum in late 2025, Deafness Forum Australia vice chair Hannah McPierzie helped facilitate conversations between Deafness Forum Australia CEO Rhonda Locke, me and representatives from Qantas regarding accessible communication for Deaf and hard of hearing travellers. We raised several issues that concerned our consumer members and offered a range of suggestions. When advocating on behalf of our consumers, we often see
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nodding heads, but rarely do we see swift action. On a recent return trip to Melbourne, I was overwhelmed to experience several practical improvements firsthand. Almost all inflight entertainment included English captions, not just a limited selection. Boarding passes included clearer group information. Boarding processes were supported by visual displays rather than relying solely on audio announcements. And when returning from Canberra recently, Rhonda noticed a phone notification alerting passengers to the gate and the commencement of boarding for her flight. These may appear like relatively modest operational changes. In reality, they significantly reduce stress, confusion and exclusion for many travellers. They also demonstrate something important: accessibility improvements do not always require years of redesign, major infrastructure overhauls, or lengthy implementation cycles. Sometimes progress begins with listening carefully to customers, understanding where barriers exist, and treating communication accessibility as a shared responsibility rather than a compliance obligation. And there is a broader lesson here for industry. Accessible communication benefits far more people than we often acknowledge. Captions support travellers in noisy environments, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, older Australians, neurodivergent passengers and families travelling with children. Visual communication improves clarity for everyone, and disability inclusion means a better outcome for the whole population. The aviation sector is uniquely positioned to lead. Travelling is often stressful and tiring. When communication is inaccessible, that pressure compounds quickly. Small improvements in clarity and accessibility can dramatically improve confidence, independence and participation. Importantly, this example also reinforces the value of engaging directly with lived experience. Effective accessibility outcomes are rarely achieved through assumption alone. They emerge when organisations are
Image: Markus Mainka/Stock.adobe.com.
Image: Rae Walker.
From conversation to action, Deafness Forum Australia chair RAE WALKER provides perfect examples of what accessible communication looks like in practice.
Above: Qantas willing to have open conversations was quick to with the communities affected implement practical and when feedback pathways are accessibility taken seriously. improvements. For Deafness Forum Australia, this work is part of a broader national conversation around accessible communication across public life. We often see accessible communication like captions and Auslan interpreters when an event has a concentrated focus on attendees with disability. However, in a mainstream capacity, suddenly accessibility is not considered. But of course, people with disability are in mainstream environments. Whether in transport, healthcare, education, workplaces, cinemas or digital environments, communication access should not be considered a specialist add-on. It should be embedded into how organisations operate from the outset. There is still considerable work ahead across many sectors. But it is equally important to acknowledge examples where progress is occurring and where organisations demonstrate that responsive change is possible, and what matters now is momentum. The hope is that practical examples like this encourage other airlines, transport providers and customer-facing organisations to examine their own communication environments and ask a simple question: If accessibility improvements can happen in months rather than years, what is stopping us from “ACCESSIBILITY acting now? IMPROVEMENTS Name: Rae Walker Qualifications: Bachelor of Education, Graduate Diploma in Human Resource Development, Diploma of Auslan. Affiliations: Deafness Forum Australia, chair; University of Western Australia senior manager, accessibility and inclusion. Years in industry: 30+ across secondary, tertiary and specialist deaf education.
DO NOT ALWAYS REQUIRE YEARS OF REDESIGN, MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE OVERHAULS, OR LENGTHY IMPLEMENTATION CYCLES.”
ENT
THE MISSING PIECE OF THE PUZZLE Head and Neck Cancer Australia is seeking federal funding to establish Australia's first External Facial Prosthetic Funding Scheme to help cover the cost of prosthetics such as a nose, ear or eye for cancer survivors. MELISSA COWARD explains.
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MELISSA COWARD Image: Melissa Coward.
Patients and clinicians at the event.
Image: ASOHNS.
WE SHOULD NOT CONSIDER THE JOB FINISHED SIMPLY BECAUSE SOMEONE HAS SURVIVED.
here are some events that stay with you long after you have left the room. My visit to Parliament House for Head and Neck Cancer Australia (HANCA)’s Parliamentary Morning Tea was one of those occasions. The event, on 12 August 2026, brought together patients, clinicians, advocates, policymakers and parliamentarians to highlight the lack of consistent and affordable access to external facial prosthetics for Australians who have undergone treatment for head and neck cancer. The invitation captured the purpose of the morning simply: “Survival is only the first step.” It was a phrase that took on much greater meaning as the morning unfolded. Walking into Parliament House always carries a sense of occasion. But inside the private dining room, the conversation was not dominated by politics. It was about people, dignity and what happens after the medical system and a multidisciplinary team have done the extraordinary work of saving someone’s life. Representing the Australian Society of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery (ASOHNS), there was another important dimension for me. ASOHNS members include the head and neck surgeons who undertake the complex surgery required to treat these cancers. They see first-hand the remarkable outcomes modern cancer treatment can achieve and the profound impact treatment can have on a person’s life. Head and neck cancer can require confronting and life-changing treatment. Surgery may involve the removal of an eye, nose, ear, cheek or other part of the face. Yet once the cancer has been treated, accessing the prosthesis needed to help restore what has been lost can become another battle. Surgeon Dr Matthew Magarey, chair of HANCA and an ASOHNS member, outlined the problem from the clinical perspective. Australia can provide extraordinarily complex cancer treatment through Medicare, yet there remains no reliable, affordable national pathway for a patient requiring an external facial prosthesis following treatment. I was particularly conscious of this continuum of care. ASOHNS
members perform challenging surgery that removes cancer and saves lives, but successful treatment cannot end at the operating theatre door. Rehabilitation, function, appearance, confidence and ultimately quality of life are also part of recovery. It was the patients themselves who gave the issue its meaning. Listening to Tracey David, Ben Hale and Chris Sequeira share their lived experiences was incredibly powerful. These were not abstract discussions about health policy. They were personal accounts of surviving cancer and then trying to return to work, relationships and everyday life when part of your face has been removed. Tracey lost her nose as a result of cancer treatment. Her prosthesis cost thousands of dollars and was not covered by Medicare or private health insurance. Her message was strikingly simple: this is not about cosmetics; it is about living with dignity. Ben spoke about losing an eye and part of his cheek and questioned why facial prosthetic rehabilitation should be treated differently from other forms of prosthetic care. Chris captured the apparent absurdity of the situation with one memorable observation: the need for change was “as plain as the nose on your face”. There was humanity and humour in the room, but behind it was a confronting reality. Anaplastologist Sophie Fleming demonstrated what is possible. These highly specialised clinicians create remarkably lifelike silicone noses, ears, eyes, cheeks and other prostheses. Their work sits at the intersection of medicine, science,
craftsmanship and compassion. Yet Australia has only a small number of providers, alongside challenges around funding, workforce capacity, training and access. Her role in the program was appropriately described as “Helping people feel whole again.” The inequity is particularly striking when breast reconstruction following cancer and prosthetic limbs after the loss of an arm or leg have established funding pathways, while someone who loses part of their face may still be left to fund their own prosthetic rehabilitation. HANCA is advocating for a nationally consistent approach that recognises facial prosthetics as essential healthcare, provides equitable access regardless of geography or financial circumstances, and develops the specialist workforce needed to provide that care. I left Parliament House thinking about the word survivorship. So much of medicine is understandably directed towards survival. But surviving cancer should not mark the end of our collective responsibility. Being able to return to work and community, reconnect with family and friends, interact with colleagues and clients, attend a social event or simply face the world with confidence is also part of healthcare. Perhaps that was the most important lesson I took away from Canberra. We should not consider the job finished simply because someone has survived. Helping them live well afterwards must also be part of the cure. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Melissa Coward is membership manager for ASOHNS.
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AUDIOMETRY
MENTAL HEALTH IN THE WORKPLACE As audiometrists care for others, their own wellbeing can suffer. NICOLE GRASSO examines burnout, stress and healthier workplace cultures.
WE PERFORM BEST WHEN WE FEEL SAFE. CREATING A SAFE ENVIRONMENT ENCOURAGES PEOPLE TO BE CANDID AND SPEAK UP WHEN THEY NEED HELP.
NICOLE GRASSO Image: Nicole Grasso.
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Image: E.Va/Shutterstock.
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orking in allied health entails a continual task list to complete daily while also shifting our roles depending on what the people around us need; from co-worker, to friend, mentor, supervisor, manager, employer or a safe space. A survey1 in 2019 asked 505 optometrists about their mental health and wellbeing. It revealed that nearly one in three people were experiencing moderate to significant psychological distress, with similar results for depression and anxiety. One in two respondents experienced key signs of burnout such as emotional exhaustion and becoming cynical about their work. And one in four felt they were not performing as effectively at work as they wanted. While the survey examined optometrists, many of its findings are equally relevant to audiometrists and other allied health professionals. A healthy amount of stress can be motivating to meet deadlines or finalise projects; an unhealthy amount becomes debilitating. We as human beings all have different stress tolerances, burnout looks different for everyone. As defined by the World Health Organization, mental health is, "the state of well-being in which the individual realises his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community". One in five Australian workers will experience a mental health condition in any year. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs addresses the concept that an individual needs to have their basic needs met before they can focus on their higher-level needs. If their safety needs are not being met, that person may feel anxious, tense, and uncomfortable in their environment and experience a lack of motivation to reach self-fulfilment needs. This can lead to anxiety or burnout if the working environment continues to lack safety and security. We can start with creating a psychologically safe workplace in which people are comfortable expressing themselves and sharing concerns or mistakes without fear of embarrassment or retribution.
We perform best when we feel safe. Creating a safe environment encourages people to be candid and speak up when they need help, it removes the barrier of fear when admitting to mistakes or when discussing feedback. There are a range of ways we can help to identify early signs of burnout and implement intervention. Some early signs include: Intrapersonal - Persistent fatigue, poor concentration, sleep issues, anxiety Interpersonal - Cynicism, irritability, reduced empathy, dissatisfaction Occupational - Absenteeism, errors, unhealthy overcommitment, team deterioration MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID Mental health first aid explores ways you can support a person experiencing a mental health crisis. In optics we are not employed as therapists, much to our customers’ disappointment sometimes. Assisting someone can start with initiating a genuine conversation and finding time and space where you both feel comfortable to talk. Initiating a change of environment such as going to a local coffee shop or going for a walk outside to get some vitamin D can reduce barriers for open communication. Allied health is filled with people who thrive on fixing issues, it is our bread and butter, but Mental Health First Aid shows that when helping a person struggling with mental health, we should be mindful to listen and communicate non-judgementally and not rush to ‘fix’. Most people want someone to listen empathetically before offering options and resources. Once they feel they have been listened to, it
Above: Maslow’s pyramid hierarchy of human needs from lowest to highest.
can be easier to receive support and accept practical help. A block of chocolate is not going to make everyone happy, and nor can you. There are a variety of health professionals that provide help to people for mental illness. General practitioners, psychologists, psychiatrists, mental health nurses, occupational therapists, social workers, and case managers can all assist a person in different ways. In Australia, 45.1% of people with a 12-month mental health disorder saw a medical professional for their mental health. HEALTH AND SUPPORT SERVICES: •L ifeline - 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention. •B eyond Blue - 24/7 counselling, information and online forums for anxiety, depression and general mental health. •W orkplace Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) eneral Practitioner (GP) and •G Referral Pathway
References: 1. Bentley SA, Black A, Khawaja N, Fylan F, Griffiths AM, Wood JM. The mental health and wellbeing survey of Australian optometrists. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt. 2021 Jul;41(4):798-807. doi: 10.1111/opo.12823. Epub 2021 Apr 20. PMID: 33877691. 2. Amy Edmonson, The Fearless Organisation, 2019. p.xiv 3. Australian Bureau of Statistics. National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing Canberra: ABS; 2020-2022.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Nicole Grasso is a qualified optical dispenser and an optical trainer at the Australasian College of Optical Dispensing (ACOD). She also has a certificate in Mental Health First Aid.
MANAGEMENT
HOW AI GIVES TIME BACK IN PRACTICE MANAGEMENT Most practice teams do not have a shortage of work. They have a shortage of time, and this is where AI deserves attention, says HARRY SINGH.
THE GOAL IS SIMPLE: REDUCE REPETITIVE WORK SO SKILLED PEOPLE HAVE MORE TIME TO CARE FOR PATIENTS.
HARRY SINGH Image: Harry Singh.
AI can help practices with repeated emails, calls, forms, reports and follow-up tasks.
A process previously taking two to three hours now takes about 20 minutes for suitable articles. AI removes much of the initial drafting time. Experience, judgement and approval remain human. We also redesigned parts of the patient journey. Registration, consent documents and education videos are sent before arrival. During the visit, patients view procedure information before speaking with the surgeon. In the EyeHub workflow presented at AUSCRS 2026, a journey previously taking 60 to 80 minutes now takes about 40 minutes. The saving is at least 20 minutes in those cases. More importantly, the consultation focuses on individual questions and decisions. Similar opportunities exist across optometry and audiology. Suitable starting points include appointment information, recall communications, approved education material, meeting notes, training resources and follow-up summaries. Practices should treat clinical recommendations, complex patient concerns and sensitive conversations differently. Those areas require professional judgement and direct human involvement. Several common mistakes undermine adoption. The first is buying software before defining the problem. The second is automating a weak process. The third is accepting polished output without checking facts, tone or context. Poor vendor assessment creates further risk. Privacy needs special attention. The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner advises organisations not to enter personal information, especially sensitive information, into publicly available generative AI tools. Practices should understand where information goes,
Image: Qunica.com/stock.adobe.com.
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atient expectations continue to rise. People want prompt answers, clear information and a smooth experience before, during and after an appointment. At the same time, practice teams face repeated emails, calls, forms, reports and follow-up tasks. A busy day does not always mean the most valuable work was completed. This is where artificial intelligence (AI) deserves attention. Used well, AI reduces repetitive preparation and gives people more time for judgement, empathy and patient care. Used poorly, it adds risk, confusion and another piece of software nobody fully owns. At EyeHub, a laser vision correction and refractive practice on the Sunshine Coast, we follow one operating rule: AI prepares. People review, connect and decide. The boundary matters. AI does not diagnose, make treatment decisions, recommend surgery or replace professional accountability in our practice. A person reviews patient communications before use. Clinicians remain responsible for clinical advice, informed consent and individual care. We also avoid calling every digital improvement “AI”. Electronic forms, automated text messages, workflow rules and video delivery are forms of digital automation. AI supports parts of the process, such as preparing content, structuring information or producing a first draft. The strongest results often come from combining good workflow design, suitable technology and human review. Our patient email process is one example. Staff previously copied, rebuilt and checked similar information for each enquiry. The task took about 15 minutes per patient. We introduced approved templates and an automated SMS linking patients to relevant information. The redesigned process takes about five minutes. Staff still confirm the patient, facts and suitability of the response. The benefit comes from consistency and preparation, not removing people from the conversation. Editorial work follows a similar model. A short, recorded conversation provides the source material for an AI-assisted first draft. I edit the article, and our surgeon reviews any clinical content.
who gains access, how long data is retained and whether supplied information is used to train a model. Five practical steps provide a safer path: 1. L ist repetitive work. Identify recurring questions, documents, handovers and reports. Estimate the weekly time involved. 2. P rotect human judgement. Keep diagnosis, treatment decisions, clinical advice and sensitive discussions under direct professional control. 3. R edesign one workflow. Choose a low-risk task with clear friction. Give the workflow a named owner. 4. Test carefully. Check accuracy, privacy, security, tone, accessibility and failure points before wider use. 5. M easure the result. Track time saved, correction rates, turnaround times and feedback from patients and staff. Improve the workflow before moving to the next use case. The business case is capacity. Saving 10 minutes across 20 patient interactions returns more than three staff hours. Those hours support faster responses, better preparation and more useful patient conversations. The value grows when a tested workflow repeats safely across hundreds of interactions each month. AI adoption should be measured, transparent and practical. Start with one real problem. Keep people accountable. Review the output. Record the result. Improve, then repeat. The goal is simple: reduce repetitive work so skilled people have more time to care for patients. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Harry Singh is the business manager at EyeHub Laser Vision Specialists in Buderim, Queensland.
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Image: Angelica Caguete.
Specsavers Stories
ANGELICA CAGUETE Why did you pursue a career in hearing care? I was looking for a career where I could genuinely change lives and make a difference.
Why did you choose to work at Specsavers? I joined the first Specsavers Audiology Graduate Program cohort after completing my Masters in Clinical Audiology at the University of Western Australia in 2021 but my experience has grown well beyond those early graduate years. Specsavers offered me the opportunity to build a career that combines clinical practice with meaningful human connection. The range of career pathways available and the backup support for the clinical and business sides of practice were also major attractions.
CHANGING LIVES THROUGH BETTER SIGHT AND HEARING. HPA ASKS ANGELICA CAGUETE FOR AN INSIGHT INTO WHY SHE BELIEVES THAT SPECSAVERS REALLY IS THE BEST PLACE TO WORK.
What was your first role and how has that changed? I have worked across seven Western Australian stores including Success, Spearwood, Midland and Kalamunda, with additional experience in Riverton and Armadale. I now work in Morley as a joint venture partner. Working across different stores exposed me to different teams, customers, and ways of working, which broadened my perspective and accelerated my development. It gave me a strong understanding of what it takes to build relationships with customers and colleagues. Moving into partnership has been a significant career milestone. I've progressed from graduate to joint venture partner in four years and I can now support and supervise the next generation of audiologists. What are the main advantages of working at Specsavers? The combination of professional development, collaboration and opportunity is a major advantage. My early in-store supervision was supportive and effective, giving me the right level of support while allowing me to gradually build confidence and independence. I appreciated knowing I could contact someone whenever I was unsure about anything. I was encouraged to reflect on my clinical decision making and customer interactions, and I was given constructive feedback when appropriate. That supportive culture has continued as my career has progressed. There is a strong sense of partnership, with experienced clinicians and colleagues available to share knowledge and support each other.
Image: Specsavers.
How would you describe the Specsavers approach? Specsavers places a strong focus on customer care and ongoing professional development for clinicians. What stands out is the range of career pathways available. You can develop your clinical skills, take on greater responsibility and, for those interested in business ownership, progress towards becoming an audiology partner. The partnership model provides strong support for clinicians who want to take that next step and run their own practice. It means you can continue developing clinically while also growing your leadership and business skills. Any career highlights since joining Specsavers? Becoming a joint venture partner after four years is a major highlight but so is being able to support others as they develop. Going from being a graduate who needed guidance to now supervising a graduate has been incredibly rewarding. My journey shows what’s possible at Specsavers Audiology, a place where you can continue to grow, develop your skills, work collaboratively and build a long-term career, with the opportunity to progress into partnership if that is the direction you want to take.
SPECSAVERS STATS: Name: Angelica Caguete | Current position: Joint venture partner Location: Morley, Perth, WA | Years within the business: Four
SEE YOUR FUTURE CLEARLY
At Specsavers, we’re passionate about delivering accessible hearing care — and just as passionate about helping our people grow. With innovative technology, world-class clinical training and development, and the backing of a global network, you’ll have everything you need to progress your career your way. Whether you’re building your clinical expertise, stepping into new opportunities, or beginning your pathway to partnership, we’ll help you shape a career that fits your ambitions.
FEATURED JOBS
Audiology Professional – Whyalla, SA
Work alongside an experienced Store Partner with the option of working full-time or part-time (up to three days per week) in our Whyalla store. Experience the freedom to choose a schedule that works for you, with options for half or full days and no weekend work at this stage. A competitive salary plus a $5000 relocation package is on offer.
Audiology Professional – Griffith, NSW
In this role, you’ll be based at our Griffith store, giving you the opportunity to play a vital role in expanding access to quality hearing care within the local community. Working with an experienced Store Partner and dedicated retail team this position offers the flexibility for both full-time or part-time. A competitive salary is on offer, plus if you are looking to relocate, we offer relocation support of up to $5,000.
Audiology Joint Venture Partner – Mudgee, NSW
Build your career and lifestyle in the heart of NSW wine country! This is a unique opportunity to run your own business within the trusted Specsavers framework, giving you autonomy, commercial upside, and long term partnership potential. Open to audiology professionals across Australia, including those who have recently obtained their QP and are ready to step into a business focused role.
Audiologist/Audiometrist Specsavers Partnership – Erina, NSW
As a Joint Venture Partner, you’ll lead audiology services in your community, delivering outstanding care while driving the commercial success of your business. Located in Erina Fair Shopping Centre, Specsavers Erina is a well-established business that has been operating since November 2019.
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CAREER
People on the move Image: Hearing Australia.
Image: Ear Science Institute Australia.
Image: OPSM
HEARING PRACTITIONER AUSTRALIA’S BI-MONTHLY BULLETIN TO KEEP THE AUSTRALIAN HEARING SECTOR UPDATED ON NEW APPOINTMENTS AND PERSONNEL CHANGES, NATIONALLY AND GLOBALLY
OPSM MANAGING AUDIOLOGIST
NEW HEARING AUSTRALIA MD
Ear Science Institute Australia has welcomed internationally recognised ear and hearing specialist Professor Michael Gluth to the Ear Science Surgical Facility in Western Australia. Prof Gluth brings more than two decades of clinical, surgical, research and teaching experience. A highly respected ear and skull base surgeon, he has dedicated his career to advancing patient care through clinical excellence, research and innovation. His expertise spans chronic ear disease, hearing loss, cochlear implantation and complex ear surgery, with a strong focus on translating research discoveries into real-world patient outcomes. He will work closely with audiologists, GPs and specialist colleagues, providing a collaborative approach to patient care.
Marisa Varrica has a new role as managing audiologist at OPSM which includes supporting clients and the growing clinical team at OPSM. Varrica was OPSM’s first audiologist in NSW, starting in 2025. “I’m particularly looking forward to mentoring and supporting new team members as our clinics continue to expand,” she said. “I’m passionate about sharing knowledge, developing clinical confidence and fostering a collaborative team environment through ongoing support and training. I’ll also continue working closely with our retail teams to strengthen hearing health conversations, screening and referral pathways, helping to ensure a positive experience for our clients from their first interaction.”
Hearing Australia has appointed Eron Plumb as its new managing director. The former CEO and managing director of Bay Audio Group spent more than a decade at Bay Hearing, building the retail and wholesale business. Most recently, he was CEO and managing director of InvoCare funeral services, where he led the transformation of a diversified group operating across Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. Hearing Australia announced his appointment in August for a five-year term. It said Plumb was an experienced chief executive and managing director with more than 35 years’ experience leading, scaling and transforming large customer-focused organisations across Australia and the Asia-Pacific region.
Image: Deafblind International Dbl.
Image: Tracey Thomson.
Image: Jasmine Grigoriou.
WA WELCOMES PROF MICHAEL GLUTH
NEW CHIEF ALLIED HEALTH OFFICER
GRIGORIOU TO CONNECT HEARING
NEW ROLE FOR DR STEFANIA FADDA
Tracey Thomson has started as chief allied health officer for the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. She brings a recognised background in nutrition and dietetics and broad experience across health, community, disability and government settings. Thomson completed a Master of Nutrition and Dietetics at Griffith University and has worked as a clinical, community and public health dietitian in Tasmania, including at the Royal Hobart Hospital, the Community Nutrition Unit and Diabetes Tasmania. She has also led NDIS and health services. In the role, she will work in partnership with the sector to strengthen workforce, improve access to care and support practical reform.
Jasmine Grigoriou joins Connect Hearing as state sales and operations manager for Queensland West, bringing more than a decade of experience across clinical practice, leadership and operations in the hearing care industry. She has worked across large national organisations and independent clinics and previously held area management and audiology training roles with Amplifon. Grigoriou holds degrees in audiology and neuroscience from the University of Queensland. In her new role, she leads the clinical and operational performance of teams across metropolitan and regional Queensland. She said she is excited to help her teams deliver exceptional clinical care and positive client outcomes.
After leading the European Society for Mental Health and Deaf People as president from 2018 to 2025, psychologist and psychotherapist Dr Stefania Fadda will continue to support its mission in her new role as honorary president. Since 2008, she has directed the CABSS Foundation Assistance Center for Deaf and Deafblind Children ETS where she conceived and developed the first Italian early intervention program for deaf and deafblind children and their families. Deafblind International DbI said the new role recognises her outstanding leadership and dedication to advancing mental health, equality, and human rights for the Deaf community.
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To be featured, email details to editor Helen Carter at helen.carter@primecreative.com.au HEARING PRACTITIONER AUSTRALIA
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2026EVENTS CALENDAR Image: Rudi1976/stock.adobe.com.
To list an event in our calendar please email helen.carter@primecreative.com.au
Above: The New Zealand Society of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery 79th AGM and scientific meeting will be in Auckland in October.
AUDIOLOGY AUSTRALIA ONLINE CONFERENCE 2026 Online 15 October 2026 - 31 January 2027 audiology.asn.au INDEPENDENT AUDIOLOGISTS AUSTRALIA ANNUAL CONFERENCE Canberra, Australia 23-24 October inaud.net.au
IODA 2026 5th International Otology Disorders Academy Congress Rome, Italy 11-14 November ioda-congress.com 2026 VICTORIAN TEMPORAL BONE SURGICAL COURSE Melbourne, Australia 25-26 November ashons.org.au
DECEMBER ORL 2026 New Zealand Society of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery 79th AGM and scientific meeting Auckland, New Zealand 27-30 October orl26.nz
AUDIOLOGY AUSTRALIA WA CONFERENCE Perth, Australia 4 December audiology.asn.au
AUSTRALIA’S HEARING HEALTH WORKFORCE SUMMIT 2026 Plus HAASA’s 65th and ACAud’s 30th birthday gala ball Adelaide, Australia 9-10 November Acaud.com.au 50
HEARING PRACTITIONER AUSTRALIA
Image: Luciano Mortula/stock.adobe.com.
NOVEMBER 2026 NOTSA MEETING Neuro-Otology Society of Australia Brisbane, Australia 6-8 November asohns.org.au
Images: Audiology Australia.
OCTOBER
Above: Some of the speakers for the Audiology Australia Online Conference 2026.
Below: The 5th International Otology Disorders Academy Congress will be in Rome in November.
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Preuss, M., Ulloa Sanchez, D. (2025). Phonak Audéo R Infinio outperforms competitors for speech in loud noise performance. Phonak Insight retrieved from phonak.com/evidence
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