The online Conference program runs from April - June 2020. Click on each session title below to view more information about what each week will encompass. Each week will have a new program, which you will be able to view on the topics listed below.
Please click here for further information on CEP/CPD points and for information on assessment deadlines.
| Date and Time | Duration / Points | Title | Speaker(s) |
| Wednesday 22 April 1300 hrs (NZST) 1030 hrs (ACST) 1100 hrs (AEST) 0900 hrs (AWST) | 1 hour (1 CEP/CPD Point) | eAudiology hearing aid support: considerations for clinical application and implementation When you think about eAudiology, at first it seems very abstract and intimidating; however, whether you know it or not, you have probably already practiced eAudiology. This session intends to provide you with research that evaluated the feasibility of eAudiology hearing aid follow-up care, patient and clinician satisfaction and lessons learned. You will also be presented with practical clinic set-up considerations, tools to use during appointments and ways to discuss this service delivery model with your patients. | Dr Gina Angley |
| Wednesday 22 April 1400 hrs (NZST) 1130 hrs (ACST) 1200 hrs (AEST) 1000 hrs (AWST) | 1 hour (1 CEP/CPD Point) | Honing online clinical skills The session will explore the key elements which are essential for strong outcomes in tele-health consultations. These include building rapport, developing trust, online eye contact and body language and how to chat online. The challenges associated with engaging clients, information sharing, personal adjustment counselling and supporting clients to take action will also be considered, with practical examples and tips and tricks. | Colleen Psarros (facilitator), Aleisha Davis |
| Recorded | 1 hour (1 CEP/CPD Point) | You've got mail: helping patients prepare for hearing care appointments using Ida Telecare Over the past twenty years, advances in technology have revolutionized the way we interact with each other, buy products, access and deliver services and develop our knowledge and skills. This trend is rapidly making its way into healthcare overall, and hearing care more specifically, with opportunities to deliver and receive care through a great variety of telehealth offers. These developments support many patients’ expectations of flexible and individualized care and enable them to become much more directly involved in decisions about and management of their own hearing. This presentation will introduce some of the trends in the use of telehealth in audiology and provide tips for what to consider when integrating telehealth into one’s practice. It will also introduce Ida Telecare, a suite of online tools developed by the Ida Institute which allow patients to prepare for appointments at home and have more productive conversations with their HCP in the appointment. | Professor De Wet Swanepoel and Dr Ena Nielsen |
| Tuesday 28 April 1300 hrs (NZST) 1030 hrs (ACST) 1100 hrs (AEST) 0900 hrs (AWST) | 1 hour (1 CEP/CPD Point) | Disrupting the disruptors: ENHANCING patient relationships with telehealth Telehealth has been for fine-tuning hearing aid settings for more than 25 years, and yet adoption by professionals has been very low, for a variety of reasons. The global COVID-19 pandemic has developed a greater sense of urgency, as many hard-of-hearing patients are among the most vulnerable to the virus. The issue, however, will be whether THIS time is different and result in changes in “best practice” that include ways to use “virtual” care to enhance face-to-face care provided by audiologists. This session will focus discussion of the ways that technology may be used to create a practice AND business model for the 21st century. Specific attention will focus on how telehealth may be used to preserve or improve user outcomes, improve practice efficiency, and improve user experience. Examples will include sample models that measure and assess the value of professional service independent of the product. | Dr Dave Fabry |
| Wednesday 29 April 1500 hrs (NZST) 1230 hrs (ACST) 1300 hrs (AEST) 1100 hrs (AWST) | 2 hours (2 CEP/CPD Points) | Practical applications of tele-audiology for HSP, MBS and Private Health Insurance Across the health sector there is a recognition of the need to fund tele-health services during the COVID19 pandemic, to support all health practitioners and their clients. HSP understands the current situation is particularly challenging and in response has released new guidelines which enable providers to claim for services which are provided remotely. In particular, fittings and annual reviews can now be completed via tele-health and tele-programming if the clinician is satisfied client outcomes are not compromised and client safety is maintained. In this session Sarah McCullough from the HSP will answer all your questions about these changes and the expectations regarding compliance and audit. Changes in reimbursements for tele-health services have also occurred under the Medical Benefits Scheme. Nina Quinn will detail these changes and the implications for audiology. Finally, amidst all these rapid changes, audiologists need to ensure their clinical standards are not compromised and they continue to meet their professional responsibilities. Jenny Smith will review the implications of providing services remotely in terms of adherence to the AudA Scope of Practice and the HSP Hearing Rehabilitation Outcomes. | Colleen Psarros (facilitator), Sarah McCullough, Nina Quinn, Jenny Smith |
| Recorded | 1 hour (1 CEP/CPD Point) | Telecare for teens Ida Telecare for Teens is a suite of online tools and resources that aims to help young people develop the skills and confidence needed to self-manage their hearing loss as they transition to adulthood. The tools are designed for teens to use at home on their own or with family as they prepare for appointments. By reflecting on their communication needs ahead of time, teens can be more specific about their needs for support. It also helps clinicians provide more targeted support and save time in appointments. | Natalie Comas |
| Recorded | 30 mins (0.5 CEP/CPD Points) | 10 things you need to know when working with kids in a tele-appointment This webinar will explore the top 10 very practical lessons we have learnt in providing individual and group online telehealth services to early intervention and school age children with hearing loss and their families. The monumental shift in practice we have all experienced in the last month has amplified the need for understanding these principles in developing strong online relationships and how we need to adapt and adjust services. Unforeseen challenges coupled with unexpected learnings and skill development opportunities will be discussed and the resulting benefits for children and families that have tested our previous assumptions about telehealth services. | Aleisha Davis |
| Thursday 30 April 1300 hrs (NZST) 1030 hrs (ACST) 1100 hrs (AEST) 0900 hrs (AWST) | 1 hour (1 CEP/CPD Point) | Which eAudiology hearing aid option is right for you and your patients? With the current global pandemic, the need for eAudiology services has quickly grown. With any need that arises rapidly, it is easy to reach for solutions that are easy and readily available; however, we must continue to be diligent when looking for and selecting a solution(s) that will be best for patients and the clinic. This session will review key components to look for in an eAudiology hearing aid solutions, set-up considerations, and how to navigate challenges patients may experience. | Dr Gina Angley |
| Thursday 30 April 1400 hrs (NZST) 1130 hrs (ACST) 1200 hrs (AEST) 1000 hrs (AWST) | 1 hour (1 CEP/CPD Point) | Evaluating remote care software packages Tele-programming is now widely available across the hearing aid industry, but which package is right for you and your client? Emma Russell has worked extensively with a range of remote software solutions and here she asks all the manufacturers to detail the features and benefits of their particular offering. Representatives from across the hearing aid sector will be available to answer questions and explain the core functions of their specific remote fitting and fine-tuning solution. | Emma Russell |
| Recorded | 30 mins (0.5 CEP/CPD Points) | Knowledge is power: digital interventions to support patients, partners and professionals Knowledge is key to patient self-management and empowerment. C2Hear is an evidence-based online multimedia educational intervention. It is effective in improving knowledge of hearing aids (HAs) and communication, and HA handling skills, self-efficacy and use in new HA users. C2Hear is freely available (c2hearonline.com), viewed >270K times globally. It has been redeveloped for m-health delivery to increase individualisation and interactivity. m2Hear is concise, comprehensive and convenient, provides useful reminders about HAs and communication, and is preferred to C2Hear. m2Hear also provides support and reassurance, improving confidence and empowering HA users to self-manage their hearing loss, essential in this rapidly-changing telehealth landscape. | Dr Mel Ferguson |
| Date and Time | Duration / Points | Title | Speaker(s) |
| Recorded | 1 hour (1 CEP/CPD Point) | Live cochlear implant surgery: meeting the consensus Join Otologist Dr Phillip Chang as he conducts cochlear implant surgery and Audiologist Dakota Bysouth-Young as he prepares Jane for the initial stages of her cochlear implant journey. Dr Chang share his 20 year experience with cochlear implant surgeries. Participating in this session will arm you with the information needed to counsel clients regarding cochlear implant as an option and understand the importance of your role in management or referral or support of clients who would benefit from cochlear implants. We encourage you to view this recording before the live panel presentation on Thursday 7 May | |
| Tuesday 5 May 1600 hrs (NZST) 1330 hrs (ACST) 1400 hrs (AEST) 1200 hrs (AWST) | 1 hour (1 CEP/CPD Point) | Standard of care: international consensus on cochlear implant use in adults The presentation will give an overview of The International Consensus Paper, authored by the Delphi Consensus Group on cochlear implantation in adults. The objective of the Delphi consensus process was to develop a series of statements on the use of unilateral CIs in adults with severe, profound, ormoderate sloping to profound bilateral sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), based on evidence from the literature and expert consensus from an international panel of 31 ENT specialists and Audiologists. The module will cover the systematic review and consensus, as well as sharing the consensus findings and how they relate to current practices in Australia and New Zealand. | Associate Professor Holly Teagle and Marcus Atlas |
| Thursday 7 May 1400 hrs (NZST) 1130 hrs (ACST) 1200 hrs (AEST) 1000 hrs (AWST) | 1 hour (1 CEP/CPD Point) | Panel: The pathway to meeting the consensus and what you need to know for guiding and supporting your clients along the cochlear implant journey A panel of Trans Tasmanian clinicians will join Dr Chang in discussing ways to ensure the Consensus Statement on Cochlear Implants is met. Key topics that will be discussed include encouraging referral (e.g. identification, counselling); facilitating access (e.g. funding, surgery); and ongoing support and maintenance (e.g. counselling, training, bimodal management, client well being). Dr Chang will be available to discuss the Live Surgery recorded presentation from this week and will reinforce the importance of the audiological community in ensuring a timely and holistic approach to cochlear implant surgery. | Dr Phillip Chang, Dakota Bysouth-Young, Colleen Psarros, Ellen Giles, Caroline Selvaratnam |
| Date and Time | Duration / Points | Title | Speaker(s) |
| Recorded | 1 hour (1 CEP/CPD Point) | DHH plus: children with hearing loss and other co-morbidities This presentation will focus on the identification and habilitation of additional disabilities/disorders in children who are deaf or hard of hearing: children with cognitive/neurological disorders, children with motor and vestibular disorders and children with cognitive disorders and deafness. Children who are deaf or hard of hearing have significant risk for vestibular and motor disorders. The ramifications, and proposed interventions will be discussed. Children with cognitive disorders and deafness can develop language commensurate with their cognitive potential. Identification of significant cognitive delay can be identified within early childhood and appropriate intervention strategies can be designed and implemented within the early –intervention period. It is possible to identify autism in children who are deaf or hard of hearing in the first three years of life and to develop appropriate interventions in early childhood for these populations. | Christine Yoshinaga-Itano |
| Wednesday 6 May 1500 hrs (NZST) 1230 hrs (ACST) 1300 hrs (AEST) 1100 hrs (AWST) | 2 hours (2 CEP/CPD Points) | Children with multiple disabilities: grand rounds For children with hearing loss and an additional disability, including physical, intellectual or other sensory handicap, the challenges of learning to hear and to talk, and to reach their full potential are significant. Audiologists work in multi-disciplinary teams to address the needs of these children, but often as individual audiologists we are unsure of the best way to optimise the hearing needs of these children. Sometimes the simplest issues, like keeping devices on the ears can become barriers. This session provides an opportunity to learn from a team of experts in the and also to share ideas and strategies about managing children with multiple disabilities. | Alison King, Genelle Cook, Lia Traves, Allison Watts and Leigh Martelli |
| Date and Time | Duration / Points | Title | Speaker(s) |
| Recorded | 1 hour (1 CEP/CPD Point) | Exploring future directions in hearing aid technology We now know that complex listening situations can have a huge impact on the cognitive resources of people with hearing impairment. New signal processing and noise reduction strategies have proven beneficial to lower the cognitive load of the listeners under these complex situations. Our research activities aim at exploring and building an extra layer of support by investigating the intent of the user in order to maximize the benefit to effort trade-off. We hope to generate new insights on how to enable people with hearing impairment to remain engaged longer during more complex acoustic scenarios. In this presentation you will learn the motivation and approach of our research centre towards user-intent based technologies for hearing devices. | Alejandro Lopez Valdes |
| Recorded | 1 hour (1 CEP/CPD Point) | Hearing aid verification: more than just gain and output We routinely look at verifying either the gain or output of a hearing aid in our normal practice. But how often do we verify that the various hearing aid features are actually working as they should be or as claimed? By the end of this session we aim to give you the tools to enable you to examine the advanced features of hearing aids and verify that they are working as expected. In this session we will explore our basic gain and output measures, as well as Noise Reduction, Directionality and “Ear to Ear” verification as well as verification of “Remote Mic” technology. | Tony McGeough |
| Tuesday 12 May 1600 hrs (NZST) 1330 hrs (ACST) 1400 hrs (AEST) 1200 hrs (AWST) | 1 hour (1 CEP/CPD Point) | Advanced amplification: grand rounds In this grand round presentation, audiologists with a particular interest in hearing devices and the application of the rapidly evolving new technologies will share innovative and interesting case studies that target the use of advanced features or new signal processing strategies. Cases will highlight how audiologists can think outside the box and use technology to achieve the best outcomes for their clients. | Jenny Smith (facilitator), Tom Garwood, Evan Lim, Gurdeep Singh and Barclay Winter |
| Date and Time | Duration / Points | Title | Speaker(s) |
| Recorded | 1 hour (1 CEP/CPD Point) | Cochlear implant outcomes in the ageing population: never too early nor too late Cochlear implants have been commercially available since 1982, however globally only one in 20 people who could benefit from cochlear implant technology receive it. Australia leads the world in providing for these with nearly 10% of the severe to profound hearing-impaired population receiving implants. It is known that one out of every three people over the age of 65 is affected by disabling hearing loss. It affects communication and can contribute to social isolation, anxiety, depression and cognitive decline. In 2017, the lancet commission presented a new life-course model where hearing loss is identified as the single largest modifiable risk factor for dementia. As the body of evidence grows, the role of Audiologists in providing the right intervention at the right time for our elderly population is becoming more recognised and valued. International consensus supports cochlear implantation as the standard of care for adult candidates, regardless of age and duration of deafness. This session aims to provide insights and evidence on cochlear implants as an effective and viable intervention for the elderly It aims to demystify cochlear implants as a suitable hearing intervention for the ageing population and discuss factors influencing outcomes. The session will be led by experts in the field of cochlear implantation and cognition and hearing research. | Dr Dona Jayakody, Dr Jaime Leigh and Dr Holly Teagle |
| Wednesday 20 May 1200 hrs (NZST) 0930 hrs (ACST) 1000 hrs (AEST) 0800 hrs (AWST) | 1 hour (1 CEP/CPD Point) | Working with older adults in times of change As population ageing becomes increasingly evident around the world, health professionals must ensure their knowledge and skills reflect the care needs of older adults. Central to providing individualised and high quality care is an understanding of the complex factors that can impact on health and health care in later life. This session will explore individual and contextual considerations that impact on health in later life and on the engagement of older adults with health advice. This discussion will include a focus on how these considerations are impacted by the current pandemic. | Dr Belinda Cash and Dr Bec Bennett |
| Recorded | 1 hour (1 CEP/CPD Point) | Technology and environmental solutions Many believe that older adults with cognitive loss may not benefit from hearing interventions, especially hearing aids. However, studies show that they can benefit from hearing aids and other assistive technology. Indeed, improving hearing may contribute to preserving social participation and cognitive function and reducing caregiver burden. Hearing accessibility can also be improved by modifications to the physical environment, especially in public or communal spaces where listening conditions are often adverse. This session will use case examples to engage delegates in sharing and learning about how to optimize technology and environmental interventions for older adults with cognitive loss. | Marilyn Reed |
| Date and Time | Duration / Points | Title | Speaker(s) |
| Monday 18 May 1700 hrs (NZST) 1430 hrs (ACST) 1500 hrs (AEST) 1300 hrs (AWST) | 1 hour (1 CEP/CPD Point) | What is Autism Spectrum Disorder and what can I do about it? The first signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder is usually parents telling their doctor that their child is not responding to their name. Testing their hearing is the first step in investigation. How ASD presents in each individual can vary greatly, but the sensory, comprehension and communication difficulties inherent to ASD often make testing and investigations extremely challenging to complete and the process very confronting for families. This presentation aims to give you information about what ASD is and how it can affect individuals. Also presented will be ways to support individuals through the testing process, with proactive preparation being the key to reducing stress and anxiety for both the child and their family. | Helen Appleton |
| Wednesday 20 May 1500 hrs (NZST) 1230 hrs (ACST) 1300 hrs (AEST) 1100 hrs (AWST) | 1 hour (1 CEP/CPD Point) | Audiological assessment and management of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Functional listening challenges (auditory processing difficulties), which are often linked to language, reading and attention difficulties, are common in children with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Auditory processing skills in children with ASD can range from completely normal to substantially defective, but overall are poorer compared to typically developing children. Many research studies demonstrate a wide range of listening difficulties in children with ASD. Auditory processing difficulties are thought to contribute to academic underachievement in children with ASD, and may aggravate other challenges with inattention, hyperactivity, oppositional behaviour, anxiety and abnormal tolerance for sound/busy, stimulating environments. It is important that we as Audiologists are well-equipped to identify auditory challenges in children with ASD, and offer evidence-based management strategies to address these common concerns. | Philippa James |
| Tuesday 19 May 1600 hrs (NZST) 1330 hrs (ACST) 1400 hrs (AEST) 1200 hrs (AWST) | 1 hour (1 CEP/CPD Point) | Autism: practical tips for audiologists This session will explore tips for working with children who are, or maybe, on the Autism spectrum, and their families, particularly in a diagnostic setting. From triage through to having the “difficult conversations”, this session seeks to outline strategies for achieving more successful audiology experiences for these families. | Kim Ter-Horst |
| Date and Time | Duration / Points | Title | Speaker(s) |
| Tuesday 19 May 2000 hrs (NZST) 1800 hrs (AEST) 1730 hrs (ACST) 1600 hrs (AWST) | 2 hours (2 CEP/CDP Points) | Complex cochlear implant cases: grand rounds A panel of experienced cochlear implant audiologists will share a range of challenging cases and their collective approaches to overcoming challenges for children and adults who use cochlear implants to optimise their communication. The panel will explore the value of cochlear implants for people with what might traditionally be considered more difficult auditory conditions, including unilateral hearing loss, auditory nerve deficiencies and Meniere’s disease. There will also be an opportunity for Q&A during this presentation. | Yetta Abrahams (facilitator), Dr Celene McNeill, Dr Jaime Leigh, Karen Pedley, Dr Dayse Tavora and Dr Holly Teagle |
| Recorded | 30 mins (0.5 CEP/CDP Points) | New frontiers in cochlear implantation: acoustic neuroma and cochlear schwannoma removal and simultaneous cochlear implantation Cochlear implantation (CI) is now considered routine surgery for patients with sensorineural hearing loss who cannot be aided with conventional hearing aids. The predictability of outcomes and reliability of CI surgery makes this a well accepted treatment option. However, it relies on two key factors – an intact and functioning cochlear nerve, and an intact cochlea with spiral ganglion neurons. In situations where these two factors are compromised, CI surgery is considered relatively contraindicated. This is the case where the cochlear duct is obstructed (for example, due to cochlear ossification or intracochlear tumours), or where there is retrocochlear pathology (for example, due to an acoustic neuroma). However, if these two anatomical considerations could be overcome, then the tonotopic reliability of a cochlear implant could be harnessed instead of having to resort to an auditory brainstem implant. | Dr Jafri Kuthubutheen |
| Recorded | 30 mins (0.5 CEP/CDP Points) | Cochlear implantation and Meniere’s disease This presentation will begin with a brief review of the clinical features of Meniere’s disease. The issues, audiologic and vestibular, in patients with Meniere’s disease as they may present as cochlear implant candidates are then discussed. There will be a brief discussion of the phenomenon of endolymphatic hydrops secondary to cochlear implantation. Finally, there is a discussion of the differential diagnosis and management of vertigo and imbalance in patients who have undergone cochlear implantation. The points made in the presentation will also be illustrated with a number of clinical cases. | Dr Phil Bird |
| Date and Time | Duration / Points | Title | Speaker(s) |
| Monday 18 May 1200 hrs (NZST) 0930 hrs (ACST) 1000 hrs (AEST) 0800 hrs (AWST) | 1.5 hours (1.5 CEP/CPD Points) | Grand rounds: The vestibular assessment seminar (part 1) The following grand rounds session covers the common elements and questions related to vestibular assessment. These topics will be discussed in detail with leading vestibular professionals, Kamran Barin and Michael Maslin. Trong Nguyen from Interacoustics will also be part of the discussions in relation to clinic setups and services. This session will include: a discussion of vestibular service models and considerations into what is needed to start vestibular assessment; a case study work-flow covering vestibular tests; and interpretation and diagnosis of vestibular pathologies. This session is aimed at a beginner to intermediate level with guidance from the professionals through the results. We highly encourage prior learning of anatomy and physiology and vestibular assessment through the recommended E-Learning Guides. | Trong Nguyen (facilitator), Dr Kamran Barin and Dr Michael Maslin |
| Thursday 21 May 1200 hrs (NZST) 0930 hrs (ACST) 1000 hrs (AEST) 0800 hrs (AWST) | 1.5 hours (1.5 CEP/CPD Points) | The vestibular assessment (part 2) The following interactive session further covers diagnostic vestibular assessment as well as the considerations post diagnosis. These topics will be discussed in detail with leading vestibular professionals, Kamran Barin and Michael Maslin. This course will include: a guided case study work flow covering vestibular tests which encourages participation from the participants; interpretation and diagnosis of vestibular pathologies; and discussion and considerations for vestibular rehabilitation. This course is aimed at an intermediate level with guidance from the professionals through the results. We highly encourage prior learning of anatomy and physiology and vestibular assessment through the recommended E-Learning Guides. | Trong Nguyen (facilitator), Dr Kamran Barin and Dr Michael Maslin |
| Date and Time | Duration / Points | Title | Speaker(s) |
| Recorded | 1 hour (1 CEP/CPD Point) | Well hearing is well being Hearing loss is associated with accelerated cognitive decline in older adults; even mid-life onset hearing loss has been shown to increase the risk of dementia in later life. Consequently, there have now been several studies of the effect of hearing aid use on cognition. However, due to methodological limitations, whether hearing aid use can delay the onset of cognitive decline is still currently unknown. Part one of this session, presented by Associate Professor Julia Sarant, will describe an ongoing longitudinal study at The University of Melbourne investigating the effect of hearing aid use on cognitive decline in older adults. The study is measuring hearing, cognitive function, speech perception, quality of life, physical activity, loneliness, isolation, mood, and medical health, and addresses many of the limitations of previous research in this area. The results at 18 months post hearing aid fitting, along with their implications, will be discussed. Part two of this session, presented by Stacey Rich, will review how hearing loss can have a substantial impact on what we intuitively refer to as “well-being” due to its effect on connecting to others, enjoyment of social gatherings, emotion perception and how well a person can monitor personal safety, and provide an overview of growing research in this area that shows auditory rehabilitation can moderate the impact of hearing loss on well-being. | Stacey Rich and Julia Sarant |
| Wednesday 27 May 1200 hrs (NZST) 0930 hrs (ACST) 1000 hrs (AEST) 0800 hrs (AWST) | 1 hour (1 CEP/CPD Point) | Neuroplasticity in auditory aging: devices and training As audiologists, we understand that hearing aid use results in improved communication and possible reductions in depression, loneliness, and social isolation. Yet, less than 20-30% of older adults who would benefit from hearing aids are regularly using them. Reasons for non-use of hearing aids are complicated but may partly be due to the new user’s perception that “it doesn’t sound right.” This perception of poor sound quality may arise from age-related changes in central auditory processing. Yet, the brain may adjust to amplified inputs over time, and knowledge of the time course of expected changes would be useful to both clinician and patient. These neural changes with amplification may be reinforced by auditory training. This presentation will review the evidence that supports neuroplasticity in older individuals through the use of hearing aids and/or auditory training and clinical implications. | Samira Anderson |
| Recorded | 1 hour (1 CEP/CPD Point) | Exploring the association between hearing loss and cognition: new insights from the ‘cognitive systems’ approach Dr Paul Strutt will provide an overview of the major theories that seek to explain the association between hearing loss and cognitive decline. Dr Strutt will then discuss the novel ‘cognitive systems’ approach our research group has utilised to begin addressing questions related to the effects of hearing, communication and cognitive difficulties in older adult couples. The view explored is that there is value in thinking about people as intertwined parts of broader cognitive systems that especially involve their spouse. By this view, we rely on partners to “scaffold” cognitive processes such as memory, but may lose these scaffolding benefits if experiencing hearing loss. Dr Strutt will present research from our group that demonstrates these effects as well as the development of new assessment tools that may be helpful in identifying the impacts of hearing loss on communication and collaboration in older adult couples. | Dr Paul Strutt |
| Date and Time | Duration / Points | Title | Speaker(s) |
| Monday 25 May 1600 hrs (NZST) 1330 hrs (ACST) 1400 hrs (AEST) 1200 hrs (AWST) | 1 hour (1 CEP/CPD Point) | Using electrophysiological testing techniques and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to guide the audiological management of infants diagnosed with Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder (ANSD) At the first point of diagnosis infants with auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD) can begin their audiological journey with a sense of mystery over the degree of hearing loss and where to start. Fortunately Cortical Auditory Evoked Potential (CAEP) testing is now available as a clinical tool to assist in this process and help parents to navigate decision-making around the fitting of hearing aids and/or consideration for cochlear implantation. This presentation will cover the accurate techniques required during auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing to ensure ANSD is not missed or misdiagnosed. The main clinical scenarios observed during CAEP testing and how they relate to amplification and referral for cochlear implantation will also be described together with the considerations that need to be made when a CAEP response is absent. Finally, the need to request the appropriate view on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans will be explained in the context of hypoplastic auditory nerves and findings on electrical auditory brainstem response testing during cochlear implantation. | Dr Kirsty Gardner-Berry |
| Monday 25 May 1700 hrs (NZST) 1430 hrs (ACST) 1500 hrs (AEST) 1300 hrs (AWST) | 30 minutes (0.5 CEP/CPD Points) | The role of auditory evoked potentials in evaluating auditory processing in babies and children Auditory processing is an umbrella term that encompasses a number of skills such as binaural processing, frequency discrimination or temporal resolution. Auditory processing occurs at each level of the auditory pathway and can be assessed by behaviour measures or auditory evoked potentials. One advantage of auditory evoked potentials is minimal active participation thereby reducing the influence of attention or motivation. Another advantage of auditory evoked potential is that it can assess auditory pathway discretely, at brainstem and/or cortical level. The presentation will include two studies and their results to illustrate how auditory evoked potentials may be used to evaluate auditory processing in babies and children. | Mridula Sharma |
| Monday 25 May 1700 hrs (NZST) 1530 hrs (ACST) 1500 hrs (AEST) 1300 hrs (AWST) | 30 minutes (0.5 CEP/CPD Points) | Chirps: past, present and future In recent years there has been increasing interest in chirp stimuli, and consequent moves away from traditional click and toneburst stimuli, as the primary stimulus in threshold estimation using ABR - a routine and key test supporting newborn hearing screening programs worldwide. The interest in chirps (both broadband and narrowband) stems from their ability to compensate for dysynchrony of neural firing activity produced by the travelling wave (and consequential timing delays) in the cochlea. Traditional stimuli, which do not have this compensation, require longer test times in order to gather more sweeps and achieve the requisite signal-to-noise ratio for accurate ABR assessment. With chirp stimuli, greater neural synchronisation results in larger response amplitudes. Fewer sweeps are therefore required, which translates into reduced test time and/or greater certainty in the interpretation of results. This talk aims to provide concise review of the evidence for use of chirps in audiological screening and diagnostics to date, and aims to highlight areas of continued uncertainty requiring further research. | Michael Maslin |
| Thursday 28 May 1200 hrs (NZST) 0930 hrs (ACST) 1000 hrs (AEST) 0800 hrs (AWST) | 1 hour (1 CEP/CPD Point) | National consensus recommendations for medical investigation of childhood hearing loss The Childhood Hearing Australasian Medical Professionals (CHAMP) Network is a group of more than 30 Australian and New Zealand paediatricians, ENT surgeons, geneticists and other medical specialists with an interest in childhood hearing loss. Its ultimate goal is to optimise the management of hearing-impaired children. Its working group published the first national consensus recommendations on the medical investigation of childhood hearing loss in 2019 to streamline management and reduce investigation burden on families. This session aims to introduce audiologists to the new medical recommendations post-diagnosis of childhood hearing loss, and will help audiologists reflect on how they may manage and counsel families of hearing-impaired children in light of the medical recommendations. | Dr Valerie Sung |
| Date and Time | Duration / Points | Title | Speaker(s) |
| Recorded | 1 hour (1 CEP/CPD Point) | Support for children and young people with hearing loss Pediatric audiologists exemplify Family-Centered Care (FCC) values, including collaboration and respect for diversity. Although FCC implies the inclusion of the pediatric patient, in reality it tends to recognize only parents and health care professionals, with the child or young person being allocated to a passive role. A new model (Child-Centered Care) recommends expanding FCC to actively engage pediatric patients in their own care, including opportunities to voice their preferences, make decisions, and share their perspectives. One way to learn about the child’s perspective is through the Ida Institute tool, My World, which enables children to share their experiences with communication, listening, socialising and technology. By using My World, pediatric audiologists can assess how the child is doing, explore alternative communication and behavioural strategies, and recommend appropriate next steps based on a shared understanding with the child about the most important needs and challenges. | Professor Kris English and Dr Ena Nielsen |
| Wednesday 27 May 1700 hrs (NZST) 1430 hrs (ACST) 1500 hrs (AEST) 1300 hrs (AWST) | 1 hour (1 CEP/CPD Point) | Communicating in diagnostic audiology Audiologists in diagnostic clinics have to manage competing pressures in a stressful environment whilst providing individualised family-centred care. This session will discuss key learnings from research on communication in infant diagnostic audiology including: managing the power imbalance in appointments, managing time, building rapport and creating space for parents and structuring a diagnosis. | Dr Rebecca Kim |
| Wednesday 27 May 1700 hrs (NZST) 1430 hrs (ACST) 1500 hrs (AEST) 1300 hrs (AWST) | 1 hour (1 CEP/CPD Point) | Holding the space: working with families through the diagnosis process When an infant is referred to Goulburn Valley Health for diagnostic assessment, the initial contact with the parents/caregiver to make the appointment and talk about what’s going to happen is the beginning of support. Working with families raises many questions. Why begin support then? What is the goal of this support and what are the principles that underpin this? What does ‘Holding the Space’ really mean and how does this work on a day to day basis? This session will explore some of these questions. | Dierdre Robertson |
| Date and Time | Duration / Points | Title | Speaker(s) |
| Monday 25 May 1900 hrs (NZST) 1630 hrs (ACST) 1700 hrs (AEST) 1500 hrs (AWST) | 2 hours (2 CEP/CDP Points) | My Hearing explained (online workshop) Please note, numbers will be limited People with hearing loss report that they often struggle to understand the results of their hearing assessment, to confidently make decisions about next steps in care, and to relate outcomes and their implications to family and friends. The Ida Institute conducted a year-long innovation process titled Understanding My Hearing to explore and understand gaps in communication during the appointment and patient understanding. The process involved surveys, focus groups, interviews, and a multi-national and interdisciplinary workshop attended by academics, hearing care professionals, people with hearing loss, and communication partners. In recent months we have undertaken the development of tangible resources for improving communication and understanding between the key stakeholders. This presentation will explore how a hearing care professional may best communicate a person’s hearing status and its implications in order to enable easy understanding and informed decision making, which are key elements of a person-centered approach to hearing care. | Cherilee Rutherford and Natalie Comas |
| Date and Time | Duration / Points | Title | Speaker(s) |
| Tuesday 2 June 1600 hrs (NZST) 1330 hrs (ACST) 1400 hrs (AEST) 1200 hrs (AWST) | 1 hour (1 CEP/CPD Point) | Hearing well, being well and the role of families in adult audiological rehabilitation This presentation explores the importance of families in the lives of adults with hearing impairment. Family is defined as any individual who plays a significant part in a person’s life, through a continuing biological, legal or emotional relationship. It has been shown that engaging families in healthcare of any kind is associated with positive outcomes, such as increased patient satisfaction with care and better treatment adherence. The importance of social supports for the general health and mental health of older adults has also been well-established. For audiology specifically, family involvement and the social and emotional support they can provide is even more important. Fundamentally, this is because the communication difficulties associated with hearing impairment are experienced by families as well as those who have the impairment. Findings from a program of research into how to implement family-centred hearing care will be presented. It is argued that audiologists have a unique opportunity to provide family-centred care and, in so doing, they will improve the ‘wellness’ of both the person with hearing impairment and his or her family. | Louise Hickson |
| Wednesday 3 June 1200 hrs (NZST) 0930 hrs (ACST) 1000 hrs (AEST) 0800 hrs (AWST) | 1 hour (1 CEP/CPD Point) | Beyond the audiogram: effects of aging and hearing loss on central auditory function Older adults often experience difficulty understanding speech in challenging listening situations, and these difficulties may not be fully resolved with the use of hearing aids. Age-related changes in the auditory nerve, brainstem, and cortex may lead to impaired neural representation of the speech signal, thus limiting the benefits that can be obtained from amplification. These changes are often not reflected in the audiogram. Two people with identical audiogram may experience vastly different hearing difficulties in their daily lives. Changes in cognitive function may confound these difficulties. This presentation will discuss how aging and hearing loss affects the brain’s ability to process speech. Clinical implications will be discussed in terms of hearing loss management through the use of hearing aids and aural rehabilitation. | Samira Anderson |
| Thursday 4 June 0830 hrs (NZST) 0600 hrs (ACST) 0630 hrs (AEST) 0430 hrs (AWST) | 2 hours (2 CEP/CPD Points) | Transitioning from paediatric to adult-orientated audiology services Typically in New Zealand and Australia paediatric and adult audiology services are provided by different organisations in different locations; yet there is a gap in how adolescents are transitioned from a paediatric hospital-based service to an adult-orientated community-based service. There is currently no national standard in NZ Aotearoa or Australia for this transition. While the process may differ depending on the local infrastructure, funding and needs of the local adolescents, a live discussion with clinicians sharing their experiences from America, UK, Australia and New Zealand will hopefully facilitate the development of a process to bridge the gap in your local area, and ensure that all young DHHI adults are appropriately informed and empowered participants in the transition process. | Michelle Cliff, Balvinder Kaur, Flora Kay, Katrina Light, Jena Mayne and Gail Whitelaw |
| Date and Time | Duration / Points | Title | Speaker(s) |
| Recorded | 30 mins (0.5 CEP/CDP Points) | I don't want to wear hearing aids Adolescent deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) students who choose to not wear hearing aids, and who admit this to their audiologist and educational support worker, are at risk of being abandoned by audiological and educational services. These students take the risk of not hearing as well as they could do in a variety of situations, all for personal reasons that may be difficult to understand and accept by their audiologist, educational support person and family/whanau. The effects of non-hearing aid use on their educational progress and personal lives are often not known or predictable. Audiologists may be at a loose end as to what to do for these students. | Paul Peryman |
| Monday 1 June 1600 hrs (NZST) 1330 hrs (ACST) 1400 hrs (AEST) 1200 hrs (AWST) | 30 mins (0.5 CEP/CDP Points) | Supporting deaf and hard-of-hearing children in the classroom In this presentation, Jude Harper (audiologist and teacher) describes some of the issues that affect the learning, wellbeing and success of children who are Deaf or hard of hearing within an educational setting. The challenges faced by students and some possible solutions are suggested. The role of the educational audiologist, a relatively new idea in Australia, is also discussed. | Jude Harper |
| Monday 1 June 1500 hrs (NZST) 1230 hrs (ACST) 1300 hrs (AEST) 1100 hrs (AWST) | 1 hour (1 CEP/CPD Point) | Bimodal stimulation for paediatric cochlear implant users Bimodal stimulation is the ideal way of maximising the hearing of cochlear implant recipients who have aidable hearing in their contralateral ear. A hearing aid fitting on the non-implanted side can provide acoustic cues that complement the signal from the cochlear implant and can improve a user’s listening performance in background noise, with sound localisation and in perception of pitch, tone and timbre of sound. | Jane Brew |
| Friday 5 June 1300 hrs (NZST) 1030 hrs (ACST) 1100 hrs (AEST) 0900 hrs (AWST) | 1 hour (1 CEP/CPD Point) | Grand rounds This session will explore two paediatric case, one a baby referred from the Universal Newborn Hearing Screening programme and identified with a significant permanent hearing loss bilaterally. It will examine the diagnostic assessment, discuss the considerations for choosing appropriate amplification, options for validation of the hearing aid fitting and decision making regarding ongoing management. The second case will explore a school aged child with a progressive steeply sloping sensorineural hearing loss. It will explore the challenges of completing an accurate hearing assessment, discussion on support for the family to engage with amplification, and considerations for referral to a cochlear implant assessment. | Kylie Bolland, Simone Punch and Holly Teagle |
| Date and Time | Duration / Points | Title | Speaker(s) |
| Monday 1 June 1800 hrs (NZST) 1530 hrs (ACST) 1600 hrs (AEST) 1400 hrs (AWST) | 1 hour (1 CEP/CPD Point) | Reconsidering the segment: challenges for audiology in modern Australia Speech perception assessments in audiological practice have largely been focused on words and segments (consonants and vowels). Much of the research on the phonetic and phonological properties of language, on the other hand, is focused on the ways that sounds are organized, represented and processed at different levels of structure. In this presentation, we will look at some important properties of the speech signal that may be better analyzed by looking beyond words, consonants and vowels, and discuss the implications for audiological practice in Australia today. | Michael Proctor |
| Recorded | 1 hour (1 CEP/CPD Point) | Listening effort and listening engagement Hearing loss is typically diagnosed long after real-world limitations, such as finding speech comprehension effortful in the presence of background sound, are first noticed. Clinical tests of speech perception are limited because they typically focus on speech intelligibility and not on how hard a listener has to work to achieve that level of intelligibility. Such listening effort may be evident years before intelligibility declines appear. Progress on measuring listening effort has been slow because the concept is ill defined, the materials typically used to measure it (simple sentences) are not very interesting and may not motivate effortful listening the way that richer narratives do. Relating listening effort to the cognitive-neuroscience literature on cognitive processes and underlying brain networks will enable us to leverage existing knowledge to better understand the concept, and so to accelerate development of sensitive and efficient tests. | Professor Ingrid Johnsrude |
| Recorded | 1 hour (1 CEP/CPD Point) | Speech, noise and the Matrix: Test of hearing and auditory processing at the University of Canterbury People with hearing impairment or auditory processing problems find it harder than most to understand speech in background noise, or when parts of the speech signal are missing or distorted. Despite this, speech audiometry is often limited to single words, in quiet, in the auditory-alone condition. To overcome these shortcomings and better assess the ability to communicate in challenging acoustic environments, my lab has produced a number of innovative adaptive tests of speech intelligibility and auditory processing. These include i) the UCAST-FW – a filtered word test for the diagnosis of auditory processing disorder; ii) the internet-based Digit Triplet Tests to screen for sensorineural hearing loss in New Zealand English, Te Reo Māori, and Malay; and iii) the University of Canterbury Auditory-Visual Matrix Sentence Test – a speech-in-noise test in New Zealand English and Malay that allows rapid testing of adults and school-age children, including their ability to use visual cues to supplement the auditory signal. I will describe the steps taken to develop and validate speech-in-noise tests, give some preliminary results, and discuss how the testing platform we’ve developed provides an integrated set of tools for improving hearing screening and speech testing in New Zealand, Australia, and south-east Asia. | Greg O'Beirne |
| Date and Time | Duration / Points | Title | Speaker(s) |
| Monday 1 June 1200 hrs (NZST) 0930 hrs (ACST) 1000 hrs (AEST) 0800 hrs (AWST) | 2 hours (2 CEP/CPD Points) | Addressing the psycho-social impacts of hearing loss (online workshop) Please note, numbers will be limited Hearing loss compromises not only the ability to hear, but the ability to communicate, and consequently leads to emotional distress, social withdrawal, loneliness and mental health issues. While some audiologists are skilled in addressing the social and emotional (psychosocial) needs of their clients, others find these discussions difficult to navigate. This workshop will explore clinical approaches used by audiologists to help older adults socially re-engage and participate fully in life. We will discuss some of the current barriers preventing audiologists from more frequently addressing their clients’ psychosocial needs. Delegates will work in small groups to discuss what hinders/helps them to engage in discussions about the psychosocial impacts of hearing loss with their clients. Delegates will also work together to brainstorm potential strategies to improve the frequency and efficacy with which audiologists discuss the psychosocial impacts of hearing loss. | Bec Bennett and Michelle Olaithe |
| Date and Time | Duration / Points | Title | Speaker(s) |
| Recorded | 1 hour (1 CEP/CPD Point) | Towards precision sound therapies for tinnitus Sound therapy is not a single strategy; it consists of many different sound types, targeting many different mechanisms. Therapies that use sound to cover, reduce attention to or facilitate habituation of tinnitus are amongst the most common tinnitus treatment paradigms. Recent history has seen a proliferation of sound therapies but they have each been criticized for having limited empirical support. Without clear and common classification compelling arguments in favour of sound therapy cannot be made. After introducing the modern history of sound therapy a new typology of sound therapy will be proposed and considered in light of current behavioural neuroscience research. A particular emphasis will be placed on biomarkers to predict benefits from different treatments. As tinnitus is highly heterogeneous in its presentation, treatment options need to vary according to the individual. The potential for use of the new typology to develop precision sound therapies will be discussed. | Grant Searchfield |
| Thursday 11 June 1500 hrs (NZST) 1230 hrs (ACST) 1300 hrs (AEST) 1100 hrs (AWST) | 1 hour (1 CEP/CPD Point) | Tinnitus rehabilitation: a multi-disciplinary panel by Tinnitus Australia Tinnitus has the potential to impact multiple aspects of a persons physical, emotional and social wellbeing. Therefore, tinnitus management can often be complex, requiring on-referral to multiple sources. However, knowing when and who to refer to can be a challenge. This panel will include an ENT, Physio, Dentist, Audiologist and Psychologist, discussing the learnings they have acquired over several years of cross-referrals and shared complex-case management. The audience is expected to leave with a greater appreciation of the role other health professionals can play in supporting people with tinnitus, as well as methods of triage they can apply in clinic. | Dr Siobhan McGinnity (facilitator), Dr Agim Hymer, Dr Peter Selvaratnam, Dr Tony Paolini and Dr Claire Iseli |
| Recorded | 1 hour (1 CEP/CPD Point) | Tinnitus amongst paediatric populations For those audiologists new to seeing children or young adults with either tinnitus or hyperacusis this session will cover the basics of how to assess them effectively and safely. Using the BSA guidance document as a basis, we will cover red flags, suitable environments and possible tools for assessment. A child friendly explanation of tinnitus/hyperacusis will be discussed as a starting point for all management strategies, and then this is followed up with how to make further strategies fun and accessible to families. This is a practical hour full of tips and techniques to take straight back into clinic. | Claire Benton |
| Date and Time | Duration / Points | Title | Speaker(s) |
| Wednesday 10 June 1300 hrs (NZST) 1030 hrs (ACST) 1100 hrs (AEST) 0900 hrs (AWST) | 1 hour (1 CEP/CPD Point) | Evolving approaches to hearing-aid fitting: self-adjustment and realistic scenarios We probably all agree that low adoption of hearing aids by older people is a significant health issue and is a contributing factor to social isolation among the elderly persons. We believe we can do better to improve hearing aid use and satisfaction by embracing some newer technologies. We are working toward this goal in two ways: first, allowing user-preference-based adjustment of hearing aid features that can improve hearing aid use, perceived sound quality, and satisfaction. Second, we are working on simulations of realistic listening scenarios with the active involvement of a communication partner. Results indicate that using these simulations during hearing-aid fitting can help guide hearing-aid settings and expectations outside of the typical clinical environment. We believe that using client-focused simulations (phone calls, movie trailers, restaurant noise or other situations chosen by the client and partner) can improve early success with hearing aids. | Peggy Nelson |
| Recorded | 30 mins (0.5 CEP/CDP Point) | Smartphone technologies empower hearing aid users to self-manage their hearing loss Smartphone healthcare technologies (mhealth) have the power to personalise hearing healthcare and increase user-interaction, to provide a person-centred approach. A trial of 44 adults with MMHL using smartphone-connected hearing aids in the real-world was analysed based on the COM-B model. A major advantage was that the smartphone app gave the user control to fine-tune their aids to meet their individual needs (capability). By controlling the sound quality, patients participated more in conversations, and stigma was also reduced (opportunity). Empowerment emerged as a key theme (motivation), as patients could control and use their listening devices how and when they wanted to self-manage their hearing loss. | Dr Mel Ferguson |
| Recorded | 30 mins (0.5 CEP/CDP Point) | Using smartphone technology to support the adult rehabilitation patient journey Contemporary chronic health care approaches promote the concept of a model of patients with chronic conditions and health professionals working in partnership, promoting self‐management of the condition. Self-management in hearing health care includes empowering the patient to be informed and manage their patient journey, which in adult audiologic rehabilitation often incorporates the provision of hearing aids. Aside from counselling and instruction delivered by clinicians face-to-face in a clinical setting, the use of additional sources, such as mobile device applications (apps), may also support self-management during the patient journey. This presentation will highlight three studies which used smartphone apps to provide insight into patient experiences of hearing and hearing care at different stages of the patient journey. It will show how apps may be used to support client’s stages of hearing loss awareness, decision-making and rehabilitation with hearing aids. | Barbra Timmer |
| Tuesday 9 June 1700 hrs (NZST) 1430 hrs (ACST) 1500 hrs (AEST) 1300 hrs (AWST) | 1 hour (1 CEP/CPD Point) | Improving Patient Satisfaction and Engagement with the Use of Wireless Technology This course will discuss how wireless technologies can empower your patients to succeed with their hearing solutions. The course will highlight the importance of incorporating wireless technology such as wireless accessories, direct streaming, mobile apps and remote fitting options into today's hearing aid fittings. Current wireless technologies and apps will be reviewed along with the associated patient benefits. The course will also showcase best practices that can be used to make the integration of wireless technology a smooth and easy process for both patient and clinician. This course will include a 50min lecture and 10 minutes of questions to finish. | Kristy Kroutz |
| Date and Time | Duration / Points | Title | Speaker(s) |
| Wednesday 10 June 1800 hrs (NZST) 1530 hrs (ACST) 1600 hrs (AEST) 1400 hrs (AWST) | 2 hours (2 CEP/CPD Points) | Reimagining aural rehabilitation (online workshop) Please note, numbers will be limited There is a lack of clarity when we talk about aural rehabilitation for adults with acquired hearing loss. At times, the term aural rehabilitation is used to describe a range of activities additional to device fitting. At other times, device fitting is considered as one of the components of aural rehabilitation, (almost always, the key element). We are moving into an era of industry disruption; the full impact of internet and OTC device sales is yet to be realised, the applicability of cochlear implants and other implantable devices is growing and changing the traditional hearing aid market. To top it off, we are almost certainly entering a “new normal” in service delivery, necessitated by the Covid-19 pandemic. The time is ripe for our profession to more clearly define aural rehabilitation and articulate the specific activities our profession might adopt to ensure relevant, holistic and patient centred rehabilitative service delivery. In this interactive seminar we will talk about the philosophy of aural rehabilitation; why is a rehabilitative approach to hearing loss so important? How can we best apply this understanding to enhance outcomes for adults with hearing loss? This seminar is intended to start and continue conversations rather than provide answers. | Sarah Love |
| Date and Time | Duration / Points | Title | Speaker(s) |
| Monday 15 June 1600 hrs (NZST) 1530 hrs (ACST) 1400 hrs (AEST) 1200 hrs (AWST) | 1 hour (1 CEP/CPD Point) | Auditory processing disorder in children: Treatment dosage and disability assessment Part 1 - Bill Keith: Actual and optimal amplification treatment durations in children with auditory processing disorders Through neuroplasticity, amplification with remote microphone hearing aid (RMHA) systems in children with auditory processing disorder (APD) engenders therapeutic benefits observed as permanent improvements in hearing skills. However required duration of treatment is unknown. Questionnaire, interview and retrospective clinical data were collected to determine actual and estimated optimal durations of use of RMHA systems in children with APD, improvement in hearing skills over duration of use, and factors influencing cessation of use. The average duration of use was 2 years and 9 months, with a range from 4 months to 6 years and one month. 26 of 41 participants had pre- and post-treatment APD assessment results available. Analyses revealed a significant reduction in APD test fail rate after using RMHA systems, with 66% of this group showing improvement by passing previously failed assessments. Other factors affecting cessation of use were evaluated using thematic analysis. Part 2 - Suzanne Purdy: Assessment of functional disability in children with auditory processing disorder There are methods for classifying degree of peripheral hearing loss, but not for quantifying degree of disability in children with auditory processing disorders (APD). Measures are needed to: quantify disability in the child’s own typical environments; plan treatment; measure effectiveness of treatments; and monitor progress. Nineteen tools, speech-in-noise tests and questionnaires, were evaluated in a three-phased review and trial process, resulting in the final selection of seven measures: hearing in competition (UQUEST, BKB-SiN, AUSTiN); child questionnaires (LIFE-7, HEAR-QL); and parent and teacher questionnaires (TEAP, APDQ). These were administered to 37 typically-developing children and 21 age-matched children with APD (ages 6 to 11 years). All the questionnaires gave useful results. Among speech-in-noise tests, only the AUSTiN did well at characterising degree of difficulty in children with APD. The TEAP and the AUSTiN were especially effective at detecting children with APD vs. controls and showed a broad spread of results. | Suzanne Purdy and Bill Keith |
| Tuesday 16 June 1600 hrs (NZST) 1530 hrs (ACST) 1400 hrs (AEST) 1200 hrs (AWST) | 1 hour (1 CEP/CPD Point) | Experiencing solutions-based auditory processing evaluations and therapy This session seeks to demonstrate the utilization of the Buffalo therapy model/Central Test Battery as a viable and innovative means to diagnose and treat Auditory Processing Disorders (APD). This session will help clinicians interpret information from assessment results in the hope of furthering earlier identification, intervention and remediation. The presentation will include demonstration of the phonemic training program, phonemic synthesis, words-in-noise tasks, and auditory memory exercises for clinician directed therapy. On completion of this session, you will be able to identify the three assessments utilized in the Buffalo Model’s Central Test Battery to diagnose APD; describe the difference between quantitative and qualitative test results on the Central Test Battery; and describe the phonemic training program including materials needed to do this work. | Angela Alexander |
| Recorded | 1 hour (1 CEP/CPD Point) | Considering the different approaches to managing APD To the casual observer, the different approaches to managing auditory processing disorders (APDs) appear to be a mess of argument and counter-argument with no hope of consensus. By comparing and contrasting these different approaches, this presentation will argue they have far more in common than apart. From this argument, two conclusions will be drawn. The first is ongoing research (and its associated argument and counter-argument) is needed if we are to better understand auditory processing and APD. The second is this research shouldn’t distract clinical audiologists from the two key features common to all researched approaches to managing APD: 1) some people struggle to hear in difficult listening environments despite having normal (or near normal) hearing thresholds, and 2) audiologists can help. | Wayne Wilson |
| Date and Time | Duration / Points | Title | Speaker(s) |
| Tuesday 16 June 1200 hrs (NZST) 0930 hrs (ACST) 1000 hrs (AEST) 0800 hrs (AWST) | 1 hour (1 CEP/CPD Point) | Part 1 - Mitigation of Business Financial Ruin During Natural Disasters This presentation will discuss preparing for and operation during a natural disaster, such as fire, typhoons, Pandemics. The discussion will present the need to preparation for these disasters to keep the clinic viable during times when there cannot be any business due to the disaster or legal orders that prevent the business from reopening. Recent tactical experiences during the Pandemic in the US will be presented as well as the purpose of and how to calculate the Defense Interval measure. The Defense Interval Measured discussed as to how it may be used to mitigate financial disaster during these business difficulties. A discussion of forecasting will be presented to demonstrate a method of fining out if loans will be necessary or if the defensive assets are sufficient to last through the disaster. By participating in this session, you will be able to: - Plan for your business during natural disasters or other similar disruptors - Understand the need for and the calculation of the Defense Intern Measure - Conduct forecasting as a part of business planning for natural disasters | Robert Traynor and Katherine Toates |
| Thursday 18 June 1200 hrs (NZST) 0930 hrs (ACST) 1000 hrs (AEST) 0800 hrs (AWST) | 1 hour (1 CEP/CPD Point) | Part 2 - Adding Value to The Practice? To be competitive in the current marketplace it is necessary to have a competition strategy. The use of Porter’s Generic Competitive Strategies will be presented with an emphasis on differentiation. Even well differentiated practices can be stagnant and not tuned to current knowledge and technology of the 21st century. Updated differentiation can designate the practice as the local premier clinic for hearing healthcare increasing referrals significantly. Being clued-in, differentiated by product, comorbidity monitoring and screening, today’s diagnostics, technology, pricing, and relationship development are essential components for success in competitive markets. By participating in this session, you will be able to: - Describe and use Porter’s Generic Competitive Strategies to position their practice with a competitive market - Return to your practice, update your differentiation strategy to current knowledge and technology as well as increase reimbursement for diagnostic testing | Robert Traynor |
| Friday 19 June 1400 hrs (NZST) 1130 hrs (ACST) 1200 hrs (AEST) 1000 hrs (AWST) | 1 hour (1 CEP/CPD Point) | Part 3 - Finding, Articulating and Amplifying your Value What is it that makes your clinic different? How many of us struggle to articulate what it is we do, explain our value and the services we provide? Because we live and breath it every day we start to assume that people know what it is we do. We are a hearing care provider, an audiologist, a hearing specialist. Isn’t that self explanatory enough? Fact is, it isn’t. This session will identify who some of your audiences might be and what you could and perhaps should be communicating to them. Then take a look at how and where to amplify your value in order to reach and engage these audiences. By participating in this session, you will be able to: - Things to consider when your marketing budget has been annihilated - Marketing activities that can help to kick start your new post COVID-19 marketing momentum | Katherine Toates |