Program

Join us on Friday 4 December at Novotel Perth Langley for the WA Conference. Your registration gives you full access to every presentation.

All times are listed in AWST (WA). Attendees will be eligible to receive 6 CPD points in Category 1.1.

PROGRAM

OVERVIEW

8:55–9 AM 

Welcome and Introduction

9–10 AM 

Improving Adult Rehabilitation Outcomes: Evidence, Engagement and Communication Partners

Presented by Emeritus Prof Louise Hickson

Effective adult hearing rehabilitation requires shared clinical decisions that address the social and communication needs of clients and their families. Drawing on research intorehabilitation uptake and outcomes, this session will critically examine how communication partners can contribute to assessment, shared goals and intervention. It will include evidence from the newly developed ACE Your Hearing program, its application alongside hearing technology, and the selection of meaningful patient-reported outcomes. Case discussion will explore persistent communication difficulties and differing client and partner priorities, supporting audiologists to translate evidence into individualised rehabilitation plans.

10–10:30 AM 

Occupational Hearing Loss in WA: Legislation, Compensation and Audiological Assessment

Presented by Glenn Johnson

This session will include a broad review of the relatively recent changes in noise and hearing-related legislation in WA and how they impact audiologists in the state. The session will also focus specifically on the NIHL compensation claiming pathway and clinical procedures for audiologists conducting WorkCover WA assessments. This presentation will outline:

  • Overview of noise and hearing assessment legislation in WA
  • The NIHL compensation pathway for noise exposed workers
  • WorkCover WA requirements for audiological assessments
  • Process for becoming a WorkCover WA approved audiologist
  • How does an occupational audiologist fill in their day?

10:30–11 AM 

Listening in Motion: Can Rhythmic Exercise Improve Auditory Processing?

Presented by Chris Zhou

Rhythmic movement paired with auditory cues offers a novel approach to exploring listening difficulties in children. This session will introduce Auditory-Cued Exercise Therapy, drawing on a multidisciplinary project spanning audiology, auditory neuroscience, exercise physiology and psychology. It will examine the rationale for combining movement and listening activities, the approach being investigated and the questions guiding its evaluation. Delegates will consider the potential relevance to paediatric audiological care, alongside the evidence needed to establish effectiveness and inform future clinical application.

11–11:30 AM 

Morning Tea

11:30 AM – 1 PM 

Solution Suites: Practical Skills for Everyday Audiology

Facilitated by Advanced Bionics, Jands, Nuance Audio & Phonak

Solution Suites are interactive small-group sessions where exhibitors showcase practical solutions and technologies.

1–2 PM 

Lunch

2–2:30 PM 

Beyond the Audiogram: Listening to Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deafblind People

Presented by Hannah McPierzie

There is much more to a person’s hearing and communication needs than what appears on an audiogram. How someone communicates and participates can also be shaped by their vision, environment, identity, technology and previous experiences with healthcare. Drawing on her professional, community and lived experience, Hannah will discuss the needs and priorities of people who are Deaf, hard of hearing or deafblind. She will share practical ways audiologists can communicate more effectively, recognise the impact of combined hearing and vision loss, avoid assumptions and support people to make informed choices about their care.

2:30–3:30 PM 

Audiological Indicators for ENT Referral: From Findings to Action

Presented by Prof Michael Gluth

Audiological findings can provide important clues to ear disease and the need for medical assessment. This session will examine how audiologists integrate case history, otoscopy, audiometry and middle ear findings when considering ENT referral. Clinical cases will explore patterns such as asymmetrical or changing hearing, conductive components and findings that are inconsistent with the presenting history. Discussion will address referral urgency, the limits of audiological interpretation and the information that assists specialist assessment, supporting clear clinical reasoning and effective communication between audiologists and ENT colleagues.

3:30–4 PM 

Afternoon Tea

4–5 PM 

Tinnitus and Sound Intolerance: Practical Approaches for the Clinic

Presented by Myriam Westcott

Tinnitus and reduced sound tolerance can present together, yet require careful differentiation and an individualised approach to care. Drawing on clinical experience in tinnitus, hyperacusis and misophonia, this session will examine how symptom history, sound triggers and functional impact inform assessment and management planning. Case discussion will consider counselling, sound tolerance and the implications for hearing rehabilitation, alongside indications for multidisciplinary referral. Delegates will explore how to set realistic goals and distinguish established evidence from emerging explanations when supporting clients with complex or persistent symptoms.

Meet the speakers

Meet Michael

Professor Michael Gluth is the Gordon McLaren Chair in Ear Science at The University of Western Australia and a research lead at Ear Science Institute Australia. He is an ENT surgeon specialising in otology, working as a consultant at Royal Perth Hospital and in private practice at the Ear Science Surgical Facility in Subiaco. He has extensive experience in primary and revision middle ear surgery (tympanic membrane repair, ossiculoplasty and stapes surgery), cochlear implantation, management of cholesteatoma and chronic otomastoiditis, and the procedural management of Ménière's disease. He has published widely, is co-author of the textbook The Chronic Ear, and has developed a range of ossicular replacement prostheses, used worldwide. He is also Executive Director of the Prosper Ménière Society.

PROF MICHAEL GLUTH

Ear Science Institute Australia

Meet Michael

Professor Michael Gluth is the Gordon McLaren Chair in Ear Science at The University of Western Australia and a research lead at Ear Science Institute Australia. He is an ENT surgeon specialising in otology, working as a consultant at Royal Perth Hospital and in private practice at the Ear Science Surgical Facility in Subiaco. He has extensive experience in primary and revision middle ear surgery (tympanic membrane repair, ossiculoplasty and stapes surgery), cochlear implantation, management of cholesteatoma and chronic otomastoiditis, and the procedural management of Ménière's disease. He has published widely, is co-author of the textbook The Chronic Ear, and has developed a range of ossicular replacement prostheses, used worldwide. He is also Executive Director of the Prosper Ménière Society.

Meet Louise

Louise Hickson is Emeritus Professor of Audiology at The University of Queensland. She is recognized internationally as a leader in audiological rehabilitation and in person and family-centred hearing care. Louise has over 300 publications and is committed to the transfer of knowledge into practice. She is also a Life Member and Fellow of Audiology Australia, Past President of the International Society of Audiology, and an Editor of the International Journal of Audiology.

EMERITUS PROF LOUISE HICKSON

University of Queensland

Meet Louise

Louise Hickson is Emeritus Professor of Audiology at The University of Queensland. She is recognized internationally as a leader in audiological rehabilitation and in person and family-centred hearing care. Louise has over 300 publications and is committed to the transfer of knowledge into practice. She is also a Life Member and Fellow of Audiology Australia, Past President of the International Society of Audiology, and an Editor of the International Journal of Audiology.

Meet Glenn

Glenn Johnson is an occupational audiologist and founder of The Hearing Company, based in Perth. His team supports businesses across Australia and overseas with audiometry training, testing equipment and software, legislative advice, hearing protection and workplace audiometry program management. Working with a national network of partner audiology clinics, Glenn also facilitates audiological assessments for noise-exposed workers. His interest in occupational audiology developed through training mining industry personnel in hearing testing under Western Australia’s workers’ compensation system. Glenn is passionate about strengthening audiologists’ role in preventing and managing occupational hearing loss and building expertise in this specialised area of clinical practice.

GLENN JOHNSON

The Hearing Company

Meet Glenn

Glenn Johnson is an occupational audiologist and founder of The Hearing Company, based in Perth. His team supports businesses across Australia and overseas with audiometry training, testing equipment and software, legislative advice, hearing protection and workplace audiometry program management. Working with a national network of partner audiology clinics, Glenn also facilitates audiological assessments for noise-exposed workers. His interest in occupational audiology developed through training mining industry personnel in hearing testing under Western Australia’s workers’ compensation system. Glenn is passionate about strengthening audiologists’ role in preventing and managing occupational hearing loss and building expertise in this specialised area of clinical practice.

Meet Chris

Biography coming soon!

HANNAH MCPIERZIE

Disability Consultant, Speaker, Advocate

Meet Hannah

Hannah McPierzie is a deafblind educator, lecturer, disability advocate and community leader. She works as a Lecturer in Inclusive Medical Education at the University of Western Australia and as an educator with SensesWA. Hannah is also Chairperson of DeafBlind West Australians and Vice-Chair of Deafness Forum Australia. Drawing on her professional, community and lived experience, Hannah works to make healthcare education and services more inclusive. She is passionate about ensuring disabled people’s voices are heard and helping health professionals communicate in ways that respect each person’s needs, preferences and choices.

Meet Myriam

Myriam has worked intensively with tinnitus, hyperacusis and misophonia patients since 1995, and with acoustic shock and tensor tympani syndrome (TTS) patients since 2002. Her aim is to promote a clinically authentic perspective of these disorders based on her analysis of lived experience, research, insights and successful treatment outcomes. Myriam has developed personalised, trauma-informed, innovative and effective approaches to treatment utilising TRT, CBT, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), central pain sensitisation research and evidence-based pain treatment strategies.

 

Patients have attended Myriam’s online clinic at DWM Audiology from around the world. DWM Audiology is a leading tinnitus, hyperacusis and misophonia clinic in Australia, working closely with a range of health/medical professionals in a multidisciplinary setting. After 25 years as a director/owner and clinician, Myriam has recently retired from clinical practice.

 

As a consultant, Myriam provides online masterclasses and mentorship to individual clinics, lectures, training, webinars, articles and media interviews. Her research into hyperacusis, acoustic shock and TTS is ongoing.

MYRIAM WESTCOTT

Consultant

Meet Myriam

Myriam has worked intensively with tinnitus, hyperacusis and misophonia patients since 1995, and with acoustic shock and tensor tympani syndrome (TTS) patients since 2002. Her aim is to promote a clinically authentic perspective of these disorders based on her analysis of lived experience, research, insights and successful treatment outcomes. Myriam has developed personalised, trauma-informed, innovative and effective approaches to treatment utilising TRT, CBT, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), central pain sensitisation research and evidence-based pain treatment strategies.

 

Patients have attended Myriam’s online clinic at DWM Audiology from around the world. DWM Audiology is a leading tinnitus, hyperacusis and misophonia clinic in Australia, working closely with a range of health/medical professionals in a multidisciplinary setting. After 25 years as a director/owner and clinician, Myriam has recently retired from clinical practice.

 

As a consultant, Myriam provides online masterclasses and mentorship to individual clinics, lectures, training, webinars, articles and media interviews. Her research into hyperacusis, acoustic shock and TTS is ongoing.

Meet Chris

Biography coming soon!

CHRIS ZHOU

University of Western Australia

Meet Chris

Wenbo (Chris) Zhou is a PhD candidate in the School of Human Sciences at the University of Western Australia. His research focuses on the effects of

exercise in children with listening difficulties, particularly those with (central) auditory processing disorder ((C)APD). His current research investigates the efficacy of exercise-based interventions to improve auditory processing, physical literacy, and health-related outcomes in children with (C)APD. Through his work, he aims to contribute to the development of evidence-based interventions that support children's auditory functioning and overall well-being.