Extending Your Diagnostic Test Battery
Audiology is more than selling hearing aids.
It’s excellent diagnostics and smart clinical decision-making… and then selling hearing aids.
Yet so many powerful diagnostic tools are left ignored—gathering cobwebs in the garage of our careers. Why?
Most of these tests aren’t complicated. Some are already installed on our computers. And they have the potential not just to change patients’ lives, but to make our work more rewarding—and yes, more profitable.
Maybe you never learned how these tools really work. Maybe you were taught once, but never felt confident enough to use them with a real patient. Or maybe no one ever showed you the clear, practical benefit: better outcomes, better care, better business.
This stream is about changing that.
We’ll take a handful of underused clinical tools, show you exactly when they matter, and give you the confidence to use them back in the clinic.
Just some of the tools:
- Otoscopy: see what you’re missing out on. We’re going to compare your otoscope to digital camera otoscopy, head-loupes and a medical microscope.
- Extended high-frequency audiometry: because the cochlea doesn’t magically stop at 8kHz.
- Speech testing in noise: we know we should (but we don’t). Are you ANL, ACT or QuickSin curious? Let’s play those lists together.
- DPOAES: who’s doing them? Great diagnostic audiologists, that’s who. Want to follow their example?
CPD Points
Masterclass stream: 12 points (Category 1.1 & 1.4)
Need more points?
The Sound Exchange '26 Online Content: 5+ points (Category 1.2) (included in all masterclass registrations)
Optional Pre-Conference Workshop: 3 points (Category 1.4)
Meet The Speakers & Industry Support
Meet Keith
Keith Chittleborough is an independent business owner and audiology educator, working with clinics, ENTs, training programs and hearing-aid manufacturers. He’s spent a decade teaching where it matters most: supporting clinicians who see patients, test and then fit devices (including Lyric). He
has delivered lectures and workshops across Australia, New Zealand and the United States. Keith also talks a lot about ears on LinkedIn—and even published a novel about being an audiologist.
KEITH CHITTLEBOROUGH
Stream Lead
Meet Keith
Keith Chittleborough is an independent business owner and audiology educator, working with clinics, ENTs, training programs and hearing-aid manufacturers. He’s spent a decade teaching where it matters most: supporting clinicians who see patients, test and then fit devices (including Lyric). He
has delivered lectures and workshops across Australia, New Zealand and the United States. Keith also talks a lot about ears on LinkedIn—and even published a novel about being an audiologist.
Earman Audiology
Meet Jan
With over 40 years of working in a diverse range of areas Jan brings an extensive knowledge and experience level to her presentations. Jan is keen presenter at Conferences and workshops and brings a commitment to ensuring strong foundational knowledge and its application through best practice clinical skills. Currently working with Sonic Equipment her key role is the provision of support and training to many of the Newborn Hearing Screening programs across Australia and New Zealand.
Meet Jan
With over 40 years of working in a diverse range of areas Jan brings an extensive knowledge and experience level to her presentations. Jan is keen presenter at Conferences and workshops and brings a commitment to ensuring strong foundational knowledge and its application through best practice clinical skills. Currently working with Sonic Equipment her key role is the provision of support and training to many of the Newborn Hearing Screening programs across Australia and New Zealand.
Sonic Equipment
Meet Therese
Therese has been with Interacoustics for over 11 years. In her role, she provides education and training support across the full Interacoustics equipment portfolio. This is delivered through a range of specialised seminars and workshops that explore the history of specific test procedures, highlight current trends in the literature, and incorporate practical sessions that translate theory into clinical practice.
Over the years, Therese has been actively involved in delivering seminars and workshops to audiologists, ENT specialists, and students on topics including VNG, electrophysiology and audiometry. Her particular area of strength lies in evoked potentials (EP), and she has led numerous workshops covering auditory brainstem responses (ABR), auditory steady-state responses (ASSR), otoacoustic emissions (OAEs), and cortical auditory evoked potentials.
Prior to joining Interacoustics, Therese worked as a paediatric audiologist at the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children.
Audiologist and Product Consultant
BHSc (Hearing and Speech), MClinAud, MAudSA
Meet Therese
Therese has been with Interacoustics for over 11 years. In her role, she provides education and training support across the full Interacoustics equipment portfolio. This is delivered through a range of specialised seminars and workshops that explore the history of specific test procedures, highlight current trends in the literature, and incorporate practical sessions that translate theory into clinical practice.
Over the years, Therese has been actively involved in delivering seminars and workshops to audiologists, ENT specialists, and students on topics including VNG, electrophysiology and audiometry. Her particular area of strength lies in evoked potentials (EP), and she has led numerous workshops covering auditory brainstem responses (ABR), auditory steady-state responses (ASSR), otoacoustic emissions (OAEs), and cortical auditory evoked potentials.
Prior to joining Interacoustics, Therese worked as a paediatric audiologist at the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children.
Audiologist and Product Consultant
BHSc (Hearing and Speech), MClinAud, MAudSA
Interacoustics
Meet Signe
Dr. Signe Steers, Au.D. is an audiologist and the owner of The Audiology Place, a community-focused independent audiology practice dedicated to evidence-based, patient-centred hearing care. She holds a Bachelor of Speech and Hearing Science and a Master of Clinical Audiology from Macquarie University, and a Doctor of Audiology from A.T. Still University in Arizona, bringing both Australian and international training perspectives to her work. Signe has a strong interest in paediatric audiology, auditory processing and hearing rehabilitation across the lifespan. Alongside clinical practice, she is passionate about education and has been involved in lecturing within the field. She is committed to early identification, family-centred care and strengthening clinical standards within the profession.
Meet Signe
Dr. Signe Steers, Au.D. is an audiologist and the owner of The Audiology Place, a community-focused independent audiology practice dedicated to evidence-based, patient-centred hearing care. She holds a Bachelor of Speech and Hearing Science and a Master of Clinical Audiology from Macquarie University, and a Doctor of Audiology from A.T. Still University in Arizona, bringing both Australian and international training perspectives to her work. Signe has a strong interest in paediatric audiology, auditory processing and hearing rehabilitation across the lifespan. Alongside clinical practice, she is passionate about education and has been involved in lecturing within the field. She is committed to early identification, family-centred care and strengthening clinical standards within the profession.
Meet Ben
For over 20 years, Zone Medical has been one of Australia’s most trusted medical equipment suppliers. We specialise in importing and distributing high-quality medical equipment nationwide, supporting healthcare professionals, individuals, and medical facilities with reliable solutions tailored to their needs.
Meet Ben
For over 20 years, Zone Medical has been one of Australia’s most trusted medical equipment suppliers. We specialise in importing and distributing high-quality medical equipment nationwide, supporting healthcare professionals, individuals, and medical facilities with reliable solutions tailored to their needs.
Zone Medical
Meet Nicola
Nicola McMahon is the Regional Audiology Manager for NSW, QLD, ACT, and NT, overseeing diagnostic portfolios for Natus. A clinical audiologist by trade with 20 years of industry experience in both the UK and Australia, Nicola specializes in expanding the reach of hearing and balance diagnostics. She provides expert training and account management across a broad clinical spectrum, including hospitals, ENT, neurology, and vestibular physiotherapy.
Meet Nicola
Nicola McMahon is the Regional Audiology Manager for NSW, QLD, ACT, and NT, overseeing diagnostic portfolios for Natus. A clinical audiologist by trade with 20 years of industry experience in both the UK and Australia, Nicola specializes in expanding the reach of hearing and balance diagnostics. She provides expert training and account management across a broad clinical spectrum, including hospitals, ENT, neurology, and vestibular physiotherapy.
Natus
Meet Tony
Tony McGeough is the Sales Director of Natus Sensory in Australia and New Zealand, a role he has held for 3 years. Originally from Scotland, and now a citizen of New Zealand, Tony has an extensive background in the audiology industry spanning over 34 years. Tony has worked as a clinical audiologist and educator in the UK and in New Zealand, as well as working for various hearing aid and audiology equipment manufacturers in various roles from R&D through to education, sales, and management all while moonlighting as an acoustics and audio engineering consultant. Tony is a poacher turned gamekeeper – in addition to his hospital-based clinical background in the UK, Tony has owned his own audiology practice in New Zealand as well working for a couple of the large retail audiology chains, giving him a unique perspective on the clinical and business needs of the clinician and business owner.
Meet Tony
Tony McGeough is the Sales Director of Natus Sensory in Australia and New Zealand, a role he has held for 3 years. Originally from Scotland, and now a citizen of New Zealand, Tony has an extensive background in the audiology industry spanning over 34 years. Tony has worked as a clinical audiologist and educator in the UK and in New Zealand, as well as working for various hearing aid and audiology equipment manufacturers in various roles from R&D through to education, sales, and management all while moonlighting as an acoustics and audio engineering consultant. Tony is a poacher turned gamekeeper – in addition to his hospital-based clinical background in the UK, Tony has owned his own audiology practice in New Zealand as well working for a couple of the large retail audiology chains, giving him a unique perspective on the clinical and business needs of the clinician and business owner.
Natus
Meet Charles
Mr. Charles Vorrath is a business leader with over three decades of experience in B2B marketing and leadership roles across diverse industries. He is currently Director at VorOtek Pty Ltd, an Australian medical device company specializing in the design, manufacture, and distribution of medical devices with precision optics and fully integrated LED illumination.
Before joining VorOtek, Charles was the Marketing Director at Tetra Pak Oceania. He began his career at Unilever as a Product Manager, honing his expertise in business-to-business operations.
Charles holds an MBA from Melbourne Business School, a Graduate Diploma in Marketing from Monash University and a Bachelor of Engineering in Chemical Engineering from Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology.
Meet Charles
Mr. Charles Vorrath is a business leader with over three decades of experience in B2B marketing and leadership roles across diverse industries. He is currently Director at VorOtek Pty Ltd, an Australian medical device company specializing in the design, manufacture, and distribution of medical devices with precision optics and fully integrated LED illumination.
Before joining VorOtek, Charles was the Marketing Director at Tetra Pak Oceania. He began his career at Unilever as a Product Manager, honing his expertise in business-to-business operations.
Charles holds an MBA from Melbourne Business School, a Graduate Diploma in Marketing from Monash University and a Bachelor of Engineering in Chemical Engineering from Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology.
VorOtek
Meet Brooke
Dr. Brooke Hanby has over 20 years of experience in audiology, including 15 years with Phonak as Lyric Australia’s Project Manager and six years as Director of Ear Health Courses. She is passionate about empowering audiologists in ear health, with a focus on building confidence in
cerumen management and improving clinical outcomes.
Her work highlights the use of tools such as microscopes and the Vorotek O-Scope to enhance precision, as well as emerging digital otoscopy technologies like the Owl and Waxscope to improve visualisation and patient engagement.
Meet Brooke
Dr. Brooke Hanby has over 20 years of experience in audiology, including 15 years with Phonak as Lyric Australia’s Project Manager and six years as Director of Ear Health Courses. She is passionate about empowering audiologists in ear health, with a focus on building confidence in
cerumen management and improving clinical outcomes.
Her work highlights the use of tools such as microscopes and the Vorotek O-Scope to enhance precision, as well as emerging digital otoscopy technologies like the Owl and Waxscope to improve visualisation and patient engagement.
Phonak
Meet Josh
Josh is a sales and marketing leader with almost two decades of experience in scientific and medical equipment industries. He is currently the Sales & Marketing Manager at VorOtek Pty Ltd, an Australian medical device manufacturer specialising in the design, manufacture, and distribution of precision optical and illumination systems used by healthcare professionals worldwide.
With extensive experience in technical equipment sales, Josh works closely with end users to provide practical solutions that improve clinical efficiencies and more importantly, patient outcomes.
Meet Josh
Josh is a sales and marketing leader with almost two decades of experience in scientific and medical equipment industries. He is currently the Sales & Marketing Manager at VorOtek Pty Ltd, an Australian medical device manufacturer specialising in the design, manufacture, and distribution of precision optical and illumination systems used by healthcare professionals worldwide.
With extensive experience in technical equipment sales, Josh works closely with end users to provide practical solutions that improve clinical efficiencies and more importantly, patient outcomes.
VorOtek
Meet Meg
Meg has over thirty years’ experience in the health sector with roles in hospital management, management consulting, clinical nursing in both
acute hospital and community health environments and small business start-up as the co-founder of Clear Ears. Meg has worked clinically both nationally and internationally.
Meg holds the following qualifications:
- Course in Aural Care, Clear Ears and The University of Melbourne
- Masters Business Administration, Deakin University
- Post Grad Diploma Advanced Clinical Nursing (Intensive Care), The University of Melbourne
- Bachelor Applied Science Nursing, La Trobe University
Meg’s start-up Clear Ears was founded in 2011 to improve access to ear wax removal via the gold standard dry techniques, which at the time was
only provided in Australia by ENT surgeons. Clear Ears was known as a “disruptive and innovative start-up” being the first Australian health service to be completely cloud based and offer patients online booking processes.
Clear Ears established the first course in Aural Care and Microsuction techniques in Australia. The course was initially a face2face course and then developed as a fully online digital learning portal in collaboration with ENT and Audiology experts and digital learning and development experts at Deakin Co. Online learning has the advantage of improved knowledge consolidation as evidenced by spaced learning theory (practice/repeat cycle).
Meg is recognized as a leading expert in Aural Care education and the online course has been globally accepted with participants across Australia, New Zealand, South East Asia, Europe and Africa.
Meet Meg
Meg has over thirty years’ experience in the health sector with roles in hospital management, management consulting, clinical nursing in both
acute hospital and community health environments and small business start-up as the co-founder of Clear Ears. Meg has worked clinically both nationally and internationally.
Meg holds the following qualifications:
- Course in Aural Care, Clear Ears and The University of Melbourne
- Masters Business Administration, Deakin University
- Post Grad Diploma Advanced Clinical Nursing (Intensive Care), The University of Melbourne
- Bachelor Applied Science Nursing, La Trobe University
Meg’s start-up Clear Ears was founded in 2011 to improve access to ear wax removal via the gold standard dry techniques, which at the time was
only provided in Australia by ENT surgeons. Clear Ears was known as a “disruptive and innovative start-up” being the first Australian health service to be completely cloud based and offer patients online booking processes.
Clear Ears established the first course in Aural Care and Microsuction techniques in Australia. The course was initially a face2face course and then developed as a fully online digital learning portal in collaboration with ENT and Audiology experts and digital learning and development experts at Deakin Co. Online learning has the advantage of improved knowledge consolidation as evidenced by spaced learning theory (practice/repeat cycle).
Meg is recognized as a leading expert in Aural Care education and the online course has been globally accepted with participants across Australia, New Zealand, South East Asia, Europe and Africa.
Clear Ears Learning
Meet Chris
Chris Harris is a highly experienced Aural Care Nurse with nearly a decade of expertise in ear wax management, foreign body removal, and otitis externa treatment.
As a key member of Clear Ears, he collaborates closely with general practitioners to provide comprehensive aural care. He received his specialist training through the University of Melbourne’s Audiology Department in partnership with Clear Ears. Chris brings extensive clinical experience both locally and internationally. He has contributed to global hearing health initiatives through multiple missions with the Starkey Hearing Foundation, providing care to up to 120 patients per day across Vietnam, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
In addition to his work in aural care, Chris is a Senior Anaesthetic and Post-Anaesthetic Care Nurse, serving as a Clinical Nurse Specialist at Cabrini
Health in Melbourne. With over 25 years of nursing experience, he has a strong passion for education and training. He is also an Advanced Life Support (ALS) educator, Basic Life Support (BLS) educator, and a certified Manual Handling Trainer.
As a dedicated clinician and educator, Chris is committed to sharing his expertise in using microsuction for ear wax removal, ensuring best practices in
aural care are upheld through high-quality training and professional development.
Meet Chris
Chris Harris is a highly experienced Aural Care Nurse with nearly a decade of expertise in ear wax management, foreign body removal, and otitis externa treatment.
As a key member of Clear Ears, he collaborates closely with general practitioners to provide comprehensive aural care. He received his specialist training through the University of Melbourne’s Audiology Department in partnership with Clear Ears. Chris brings extensive clinical experience both locally and internationally. He has contributed to global hearing health initiatives through multiple missions with the Starkey Hearing Foundation, providing care to up to 120 patients per day across Vietnam, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
In addition to his work in aural care, Chris is a Senior Anaesthetic and Post-Anaesthetic Care Nurse, serving as a Clinical Nurse Specialist at Cabrini
Health in Melbourne. With over 25 years of nursing experience, he has a strong passion for education and training. He is also an Advanced Life Support (ALS) educator, Basic Life Support (BLS) educator, and a certified Manual Handling Trainer.
As a dedicated clinician and educator, Chris is committed to sharing his expertise in using microsuction for ear wax removal, ensuring best practices in
aural care are upheld through high-quality training and professional development.
Clear Ears Learning
Meet Celia
Celia is an audiologist with over two decades of clinical experience, including more than 10 years specialising in vestibular assessment. Currently working as an audiologist and product consultant at Interacoustics, Celia brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise
to her role.
With a diverse range of skills spanning hearing aid rehabilitation, paediatric audiology and vestibular testing, Celia is well-equipped to provide invaluable support to clinics seeking to optimise their services.
In her role, Celia works closely with clinicians to build confidence in testing and support the integration of best-practice assessment into everyday clinical work. She is particularly passionate about practical, clinically relevant education that helps audiologists expand their diagnostic capabilities and optimise patient care.
Meet Celia
Celia is an audiologist with over two decades of clinical experience, including more than 10 years specialising in vestibular assessment. Currently working as an audiologist and product consultant at Interacoustics, Celia brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise
to her role.
With a diverse range of skills spanning hearing aid rehabilitation, paediatric audiology and vestibular testing, Celia is well-equipped to provide invaluable support to clinics seeking to optimise their services.
In her role, Celia works closely with clinicians to build confidence in testing and support the integration of best-practice assessment into everyday clinical work. She is particularly passionate about practical, clinically relevant education that helps audiologists expand their diagnostic capabilities and optimise patient care.
Interacoustics
ALEX SEGAL
Evertone
EDITH SEGAL
Evertone
JOSEPH SEGAL
Evertone
Meet Michelle
Dr Michelle Wallace is an experienced audiologist that joined the Sonic Equipment team in March 2020. Michelle graduated from Rush University Medical Center’s Doctor of Audiology program after completing residency year at Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, WI. Michelle has diverse experience in the profession, having provided advanced diagnostic testing and aural rehabilitation across the lifespan within numerous settings, including retail, private practice, and hospitals.
Meet Michelle
Dr Michelle Wallace is an experienced audiologist that joined the Sonic Equipment team in March 2020. Michelle graduated from Rush University Medical Center’s Doctor of Audiology program after completing residency year at Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, WI. Michelle has diverse experience in the profession, having provided advanced diagnostic testing and aural rehabilitation across the lifespan within numerous settings, including retail, private practice, and hospitals.
Sonic Equipment
MICHAEL THRUM
Sonic Equipment
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Program
Tuesday, 12 May
8am-5.30pm
8am-5pm
9-9.45am
9.45-10.30am
10.30-11am
11am-11.45am
11.45am-12.30pm
12.30-1.30pm
1.30-3pm
3-3.30pm
3.30-4.15pm
4.15-5pm
5-7pm
Wednesday, 13 May
8.30am-5pm
8.30am-3.30pm
9-9.45am
9.45-10.30am
10.30-11am
11.00am-11.45am
11.45am-12:30pm
12.30-1.30pm
1.30-3pm
3-3.30pm
3.30-3.45pm
3.45-5pm