Speakers

Dr Melanie Ferguson Head of Audiological Science, National Acoustic Laboratories

Dr Melanie Ferguson is the Head of Audiological Science at the National Acoustic Laboratories in Sydney, and has responsibility for the Adult Hearing Loss research area. Her research focus is on connected health, service delivery models and outcome measures. Prior to that she was an Associate Professor and Consultant Clinical Scientist (audiology) at the NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, UK. Her translational research programme focussed on e-health and self-management, listening and cognition, and listening devices. She has a long track record in audiology professional affairs, with leadership roles in the British Society of Audiology, British Academy of Audiology, and UK policy-making.

Joanna McAdam Principal Listening and Spoken Language Manager, Shepherd Centre

Joanna McAdam is the Principal Listening and Spoken Language Manager at the Shepherd Centre and a Certified Listening and Spoken Language Specialist and practicing Speech Pathologist. Joanna joined The Shepherd Centre in 2007. Joanna leads the Listening and Spoken Language team to implement the programs across the centres, working with the multidisciplinary team of Listening and Spoken Language Specialists, Child and Family Counsellors, Researchers and Assessors.

Joanna’s particular areas of interest are ensuring that all children have the best possible access to sound as early as possible to take best advantage of developmental synchrony and executive functions in children with hearing loss.

Steven O'Connell Vestibular and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist, Physiocare Seven Hills

Steven O’Connell is a Vestibular and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist with 30 years of clinical experience in Western Sydney. After experiencing a bout of vestibular neuritis himself, Steven was inspired to complete an intensive Vestibular Rehabilitation training and competency course. Over the subsequent 10 years, he has specialized in the treatment of vestibular disorders. Steven is the principal physiotherapist at Physiocare Seven Hills and provides the latest evidence-based treatment solutions for all vestibular and other types of balance disorders.

Valerie Smets Wholesale Area Manager for NSW and QLD, Widex

Valerie obtained a Masters in Audiology at KU Leuven University in Belgium and worked clinically in her home country, gaining experience in all aspects of hearing aid service provision. On arrival in Australia, she worked in a training and support role with GN Resound, before joining Widex Australia as Wholesale Area Manager for New South Wales/Queensland.

Dr Pia Watkins Senior Paediatric Audiologist and Regional Manager of Southern NSW and ACT, Shepherd Centre

Dr Pia Watkins, PhD is a Senior Paediatric Audiologist and Regional Manager of the Southern part of NSW and ACT. She has a background as a Paediatric Speech Pathologist in Denmark, before completing her Master of Audiology and PhD in Audiology at Macquarie University under a HEARing CRC Scholarship. Her PhD with the title: "Does visual stimuli assist in understanding speech in noise in children? - an EEG and MEG study" investigated the brain activity in children with listening problems when they are in a noisy environment.

Pia is passionate about hearing and listening difficulties in children of all ages. She enjoys combining clinical knowledge with the latest research in order to create new and innovative ways to support each child to reach their potential.