Identification and Support of Tinnitus and Hyperacusis
Tinnitus is common and debilitating amongst help-seeking patients presenting to audiology clinics. So too, is Hyperacusis which develops in half of patients with bothersome tinnitus but is under identified and rarely supported in clinical practice. How can we as audiologists best support our patients with bothersome tinnitus and associated reduced sound tolerance? This clinically focused stream will explore tinnitus history-taking, education, counselling, support avenues and referral pathways. This stream will review and provide hands-on opportunity to explore tinnitus assessment and support tools including questionnaires, tinnitus apps, and tinnitus features available in current hearing aid technology. A review of hyperacusis identification and support will be included in this stream, including an overview of device options that can support desensitisation.
Learning Goals
- To gain an up-to-date understanding of the neurophysiological and neuropsychological underpinnings of tinnitus and hyperacusis
- To obtain a deeper understanding of the elements involved in a tinnitus consultation by an audiologist
- To obtain a deeper understanding of tinnitus and hyperacusis support options and referral pathways
- To gain specific practical skills with regards to tinnitus and hyperacusis assessment tools, history-taking, technology support options, and device options for patients.
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
Meet Philippa (Pip)
Philippa is an experienced audiologist who specialises in supporting patients of all ages with listening difficulties, tinnitus, and sound sensitivities. Philippa earned a Master of Clinical Audiology in 2012 from The University of Melbourne and a Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) from the University of Florida in 2017. Philippa spent the first four years of her audiology career at a small, independent audiology clinic in Hobart, Tasmania where she had the opportunity to practice a wide range of audiologic services including paediatric diagnostic audiology, auditory processing, adult aural rehabilitation, and ENT outpatient audiology at the Royal Hobart Hospital.
From 2017, Philippa resumed a research position based at The University of Melbourne where she worked with the global Phonak paediatric team and the Sonova HQ Research & Development team to develop a best practice clinical model for the identification and support of auditory differences in autistic children. Philippa continues to conduct clinical research at the department of Audiology & Speech Pathology at The University of Melbourne. She developed, and continues to run, a specialised autism listening clinic there which identifies and supports auditory concerns, including reduced sound tolerance conditions, in neurodivergent children and adults.
Philippa joined the DWM Audiology team in 2025 where her clinical work focuses on supporting patients to better understand and manage their tinnitus, hyperacusis and misophonia. Philippa trained under Myriam Westcott and as such, has developed a similar clinical approach which combines Tinnitus Retraining Therapy with Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and mindfulness psychological strategies.
Philippa is dedicated to shed a light on the poorly understood conditions of hyperacusis and misophonia through both her clinical practice and research. Philippa regularly presents her research and shares her clinical expertise at conferences, workshops and via podcasts.
PHILIPPA JAMES
Stream Lead
Meet Philippa (Pip)
Philippa is an experienced audiologist who specialises in supporting patients of all ages with listening difficulties, tinnitus, and sound sensitivities. Philippa earned a Master of Clinical Audiology in 2012 from The University of Melbourne and a Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) from the University of Florida in 2017. Philippa spent the first four years of her audiology career at a small, independent audiology clinic in Hobart, Tasmania where she had the opportunity to practice a wide range of audiologic services including paediatric diagnostic audiology, auditory processing, adult aural rehabilitation, and ENT outpatient audiology at the Royal Hobart Hospital.
From 2017, Philippa resumed a research position based at The University of Melbourne where she worked with the global Phonak paediatric team and the Sonova HQ Research & Development team to develop a best practice clinical model for the identification and support of auditory differences in autistic children. Philippa continues to conduct clinical research at the department of Audiology & Speech Pathology at The University of Melbourne. She developed, and continues to run, a specialised autism listening clinic there which identifies and supports auditory concerns, including reduced sound tolerance conditions, in neurodivergent children and adults.
Philippa joined the DWM Audiology team in 2025 where her clinical work focuses on supporting patients to better understand and manage their tinnitus, hyperacusis and misophonia. Philippa trained under Myriam Westcott and as such, has developed a similar clinical approach which combines Tinnitus Retraining Therapy with Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and mindfulness psychological strategies.
Philippa is dedicated to shed a light on the poorly understood conditions of hyperacusis and misophonia through both her clinical practice and research. Philippa regularly presents her research and shares her clinical expertise at conferences, workshops and via podcasts.
Melbourne Hearing Care Clinic & DWM Audiology
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.
The Audiology Place
Meet Matthieu
Dr Matthieu Recugnat is a researcher and entrepreneur working at the intersection of hearing care, tinnitus, and cochlear implants. As Co-Founder and Co-CEO of MindEar, Matthieu combines scientific rigour with a drive to build innovative digital therapeutics and better care pathways.
Meet Matthieu
Dr Matthieu Recugnat is a researcher and entrepreneur working at the intersection of hearing care, tinnitus, and cochlear implants. As Co-Founder and Co-CEO of MindEar, Matthieu combines scientific rigour with a drive to build innovative digital therapeutics and better care pathways.
MindEar
Meet Myriam
Myriam has worked intensively with tinnitus, hyperacusis and misophonia patients since 1995, and with acoustic shock and tensor tympani syndrome (TTS) patients since 2002. Her aim is to promote a clinically authentic perspective of these disorders based on her analysis of lived experience, research, insights and successful treatment outcomes. Myriam has developed personalised, trauma-informed, innovative and effective approaches to treatment utilising TRT, CBT, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), central pain sensitisation research and evidence-based pain treatment strategies.
Patients have attended Myriam’s online clinic at DWM Audiology from around the world. DWM Audiology is a leading tinnitus, hyperacusis and misophonia clinic in Australia, working closely with a range of health/medical professionals in a multidisciplinary setting. After 25 years as a director/owner and clinician, Myriam has recently retired from clinical practice.
As a consultant, Myriam provides online masterclasses and mentorship to individual clinics, lectures, training, webinars, articles and media interviews. Her
research into hyperacusis, acoustic shock and TTS is ongoing.
Meet Myriam
Myriam has worked intensively with tinnitus, hyperacusis and misophonia patients since 1995, and with acoustic shock and tensor tympani syndrome (TTS) patients since 2002. Her aim is to promote a clinically authentic perspective of these disorders based on her analysis of lived experience, research, insights and successful treatment outcomes. Myriam has developed personalised, trauma-informed, innovative and effective approaches to treatment utilising TRT, CBT, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), central pain sensitisation research and evidence-based pain treatment strategies.
Patients have attended Myriam’s online clinic at DWM Audiology from around the world. DWM Audiology is a leading tinnitus, hyperacusis and misophonia clinic in Australia, working closely with a range of health/medical professionals in a multidisciplinary setting. After 25 years as a director/owner and clinician, Myriam has recently retired from clinical practice.
As a consultant, Myriam provides online masterclasses and mentorship to individual clinics, lectures, training, webinars, articles and media interviews. Her
research into hyperacusis, acoustic shock and TTS is ongoing.
Consultant
Meet Paula
Paula Sieradzki is a registered psychologist with extensive experience across both corporate and private practice settings. She has provided counselling and psychological support to a diverse range of clients.
For the past eight years her clinical work has focused exclusively on supporting people with tinnitus and hyperacusis. Paula is registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and is a member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS). She is also a Medicare provider and a Workers’ Compensation provider across all Australian states.
Paula is the co-founder and co-director of Tune Out, an online program tinnitus management program, which launched in 2024.
Meet Paula
Paula Sieradzki is a registered psychologist with extensive experience across both corporate and private practice settings. She has provided counselling and psychological support to a diverse range of clients.
For the past eight years her clinical work has focused exclusively on supporting people with tinnitus and hyperacusis. Paula is registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and is a member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS). She is also a Medicare provider and a Workers’ Compensation provider across all Australian states.
Paula is the co-founder and co-director of Tune Out, an online program tinnitus management program, which launched in 2024.
Tune Out
Meet Anna
Dr Anna Kittle is a registered psychologist (non practising) who began her career in psychological research before completing postgraduate studies in clinical psychology. She worked as a clinical psychologist in private practice for a number of years, supporting individuals across a range of psychological concerns, with a particular focus on helping people manage problem tinnitus.
Anna collaborated with her former clinical colleague, psychologist Paula Sieradzki, to develop Tune Out, an online self-help program designed to support people struggling to manage tinnitus.
Anna no longer works in clinical practice and now focuses on the delivery and ongoing research associated with the Tune Out program.
Meet Anna
Dr Anna Kittle is a registered psychologist (non practising) who began her career in psychological research before completing postgraduate studies in clinical psychology. She worked as a clinical psychologist in private practice for a number of years, supporting individuals across a range of psychological concerns, with a particular focus on helping people manage problem tinnitus.
Anna collaborated with her former clinical colleague, psychologist Paula Sieradzki, to develop Tune Out, an online self-help program designed to support people struggling to manage tinnitus.
Anna no longer works in clinical practice and now focuses on the delivery and ongoing research associated with the Tune Out program.
Tune Out
View The
Program
Tuesday, 12 May
8am-5.30pm
8am-5pm
9-9.30am
9.30-10.30am
10.30-11am
11am-11.45am
11.45am-12.30pm
12.30-1.30pm
1.30-2.10pm
2.10-2.20pm
2.20-3pm
3-3.30pm
3.30-5pm
5-7pm
Wednesday, 13 May
8.30am-5pm
8.30am-3.30pm
9-10.30am
10.30-11am
11-11.30am
11.30am-12pm
12pm-12:30pm
12.30-1.30pm
1.30-2.15pm
2.15-3pm
3-3.30pm
3.30-4.15pm
4.15-5pm