Management of Chronic Conductive Hearing Loss
The diagnosis and management of conductive and mixed hearing loss is fundamental in audiology. This stream will review the pathologies associated with conductive hearing loss and new trends in medical and surgical treatment for both adults and children. It will focus on the role of the audiologist in rehabilitation and the options available for clients where there has been a fundamental change in their ear geometry.
There will be practical guidance on the fundamentals of taking an ear impression as well as more complex procedures for ears requiring mastoid packing. It will review device options including ear mould and hearing device selection, software settings and hands-on training with contemporary bone conduction devices.
Learning Goals
- To gain an up-to-date understanding of current conductive hearing pathologies in
- adults and children
- To obtain a deeper understanding of the audiological non-medical management of chronic middle ear conditions, including the role of the audiologist.
- To review basic impression taking techniques and gain skills in packing mastoid cavities for complex cases as well as optimal ear mould selection.
- To gain an overview of the current amplification options available for chronic conductive hearing conditions
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)
This stream contains the same learning goals as from The Sound Exchange '24.
If you attended this stream in 2024, we would recommend taking another stream instead.
Meet the Speakers & Industry Support
Meet Dominic
Dominic holds a Bachelor of Science, a Master of Clinical Audiology and is an Accredited Audiologist with 25 years of experience across all facets of audiology. He has been involved with clinical teaching and supervision of students and lectures across several subjects on the Masters of Clinical Audiology at the University of Melbourne. He has been micro-suctioning ears for over 15 years and has active in expanding the scope of practice of audiologists into this area over this time including teaching into this at the University of Melbourne. His current clinical focus is on providing hearing rehabilitation services in a clinical setting and he is keenly interested in identifying predictive factors for success in hearing rehabilitation.
DOMINIC POWER
Stream Lead
Meet Dominic
Dominic holds a Bachelor of Science, a Master of Clinical Audiology and is an Accredited Audiologist with 25 years of experience across all facets of audiology. He has been involved with clinical teaching and supervision of students and lectures across several subjects on the Masters of Clinical Audiology at the University of Melbourne. He has been micro-suctioning ears for over 15 years and has active in expanding the scope of practice of audiologists into this area over this time including teaching into this at the University of Melbourne. His current clinical focus is on providing hearing rehabilitation services in a clinical setting and he is keenly interested in identifying predictive factors for success in hearing rehabilitation.
Melbourne Hearing Care Clinic
Meet Alex
A/Prof. Alexander Saxby is a consultant surgeon at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney where he works as an otologist and neurotologist. He is a Clinical Associate Professor of Surgery at the University of Sydney. His main areas of interest include the development of endoscopic ear surgery, hearing implants and indigenous ear health.
He graduated from Cambridge University Medical School and later moved to Australia in 2002. After completing his FRACS in 2011, he has gained further experience from time spent at the Fisch Microsurgery Institute in Luzern, Switzerland, Causse Clinic in Beziers, France, BC Children’s and St Paul’s Hospitals in Vancouver, Canada and Ospedale Borgo Trento, Verona, Italy.
He is an active member of the International Working Group on Endoscopic Ear Surgery (IWGEES) promoting discussion and research into the use of endoscopes in ear surgery. He co-founded the Sydney Endoscopic Ear Surgery Research Group (SEES) and is one of the directors of the SEES dissection course, delivering training in the endoscopic approach for over 10 years.
He is involved in research that expands the field of otology, including clinical trials for new cochlear implant products and technologies. He has published widely on the endoscopic approach to the ear and has been on the editorial board for the Journal of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery and the Australian Journal of Otolaryngology. He has regularly been an invited speaker and faculty at numerous international Endoscopic Ear Surgery courses and meetings including Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, China, Hong Kong, Japan, USA, Dubai, Germany and Italy.
A/Prof Saxby is passionate about improving access to ENT care for Indigenous Australians and has been actively involved in outreach service provision to
rural communities as well as priority clinics back in Sydney and ongoing research into better telehealth tools to close this gap.
He is the education lead for the Academic Institute of Surgery at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and regularly teaches ENT trainees and medical students through the hospital and the University of Sydney. He is a father of three and lives in Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
Meet Alex
A/Prof. Alexander Saxby is a consultant surgeon at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney where he works as an otologist and neurotologist. He is a Clinical Associate Professor of Surgery at the University of Sydney. His main areas of interest include the development of endoscopic ear surgery, hearing implants and indigenous ear health.
He graduated from Cambridge University Medical School and later moved to Australia in 2002. After completing his FRACS in 2011, he has gained further experience from time spent at the Fisch Microsurgery Institute in Luzern, Switzerland, Causse Clinic in Beziers, France, BC Children’s and St Paul’s Hospitals in Vancouver, Canada and Ospedale Borgo Trento, Verona, Italy.
He is an active member of the International Working Group on Endoscopic Ear Surgery (IWGEES) promoting discussion and research into the use of endoscopes in ear surgery. He co-founded the Sydney Endoscopic Ear Surgery Research Group (SEES) and is one of the directors of the SEES dissection course, delivering training in the endoscopic approach for over 10 years.
He is involved in research that expands the field of otology, including clinical trials for new cochlear implant products and technologies. He has published widely on the endoscopic approach to the ear and has been on the editorial board for the Journal of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery and the Australian Journal of Otolaryngology. He has regularly been an invited speaker and faculty at numerous international Endoscopic Ear Surgery courses and meetings including Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, China, Hong Kong, Japan, USA, Dubai, Germany and Italy.
A/Prof Saxby is passionate about improving access to ENT care for Indigenous Australians and has been actively involved in outreach service provision to
rural communities as well as priority clinics back in Sydney and ongoing research into better telehealth tools to close this gap.
He is the education lead for the Academic Institute of Surgery at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and regularly teaches ENT trainees and medical students through the hospital and the University of Sydney. He is a father of three and lives in Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
The University of Sydney & Sydney Centre for Ear Nose & Throat
Meet Fiona
Fiona Duncan is a highly experienced audiologist, specialising in the diagnosis and management of hearing –related concerns for neonates and children. Fiona is currently based in Sydney, Australia, leading one of only three specialty diagnostic centres. In London, she led the Audiology Departments at Great
Ormond Street, and Guy’s & St Thomas’ specialty hospitals and was a senior teaching fellow at University College London.
Meet Fiona
Fiona Duncan is a highly experienced audiologist, specialising in the diagnosis and management of hearing –related concerns for neonates and children. Fiona is currently based in Sydney, Australia, leading one of only three specialty diagnostic centres. In London, she led the Audiology Departments at Great
Ormond Street, and Guy’s & St Thomas’ specialty hospitals and was a senior teaching fellow at University College London.
Sydney Children's Hospitals Network
Meet Stephanie
Stephanie provides clinical support, training, surgical and account support for Oticon Medical. Through this role she has developed a keen interest in clinical research, and how this informs implant development and clinical applications to improve patient outcomes.
Meet Stephanie
Stephanie provides clinical support, training, surgical and account support for Oticon Medical. Through this role she has developed a keen interest in clinical research, and how this informs implant development and clinical applications to improve patient outcomes.
Oticon Medical
Meet Jessica
Jessica is a paediatric audiologist at Hearing Australia, where she has the privilege of working with deaf and hard of hearing children and their families at a Western Sydney clinic and through inpatient visits at the nearby Children’s Hospital at Westmead. Jessica often represents Hearing Australia in a multidisciplinary clinic supporting children with microtia and atresia, and regularly contributes to the training and support of Hearing Australia audiologists seeking to specialise in paediatrics.
Meet Jessica
Jessica is a paediatric audiologist at Hearing Australia, where she has the privilege of working with deaf and hard of hearing children and their families at a Western Sydney clinic and through inpatient visits at the nearby Children’s Hospital at Westmead. Jessica often represents Hearing Australia in a multidisciplinary clinic supporting children with microtia and atresia, and regularly contributes to the training and support of Hearing Australia audiologists seeking to specialise in paediatrics.
Hearing Australia
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 Ric
After completing his Masters in Audiology in Melbourne in 1999 Ric commenced his clinical audiology career at Hearing Australia. Towards the later part of 2002 he moved to the United Kingdom where he worked with various Audiology departments in hospitals in England and Scotland with the National Health Service gaining extensive experience in diagnostic and rehabilitative audiology services. In 2005 he commenced working with another major hearing aid
manufacturer as a part of the modernising the audiology National Health Service where he continued to work for over 10 years. After 16 years working in the UK Ric moved back to Melbourne in 2018 where he started working for GN Hearing as an Account Manager and Product Specialist for Victoria and Tasmania. Recently the GN Hearing’s Product Specialist team has grown to the largest in the in the industry and his role has evolved to being the Product Specialist for Western Victoria and Northern Territory. Ric has a passion for focusing of improving workflow and best practice in order to improve efficiency and outcomes for clinicians and the related small or larger size business.
Meet Ric
After completing his Masters in Audiology in Melbourne in 1999 Ric commenced his clinical audiology career at Hearing Australia. Towards the later part of 2002 he moved to the United Kingdom where he worked with various Audiology departments in hospitals in England and Scotland with the National Health Service gaining extensive experience in diagnostic and rehabilitative audiology services. In 2005 he commenced working with another major hearing aid
manufacturer as a part of the modernising the audiology National Health Service where he continued to work for over 10 years. After 16 years working in the UK Ric moved back to Melbourne in 2018 where he started working for GN Hearing as an Account Manager and Product Specialist for Victoria and Tasmania. Recently the GN Hearing’s Product Specialist team has grown to the largest in the in the industry and his role has evolved to being the Product Specialist for Western Victoria and Northern Territory. Ric has a passion for focusing of improving workflow and best practice in order to improve efficiency and outcomes for clinicians and the related small or larger size business.
GN Hearing
Meet Natalie
Natalie is a dedicated audiology professional committed to improving the lives of those with hearing loss. Originally from Perth, she has earned her Masters of Clinical Audiology from the University of Western Australia. With 5 years of experience in regional and metro clinics specialising in adult rehabilitation, Natalie enjoys helping clients reconnect with loved ones through better hearing. Recently she relocated to Sydney and joined GN Hearing to continue her passion in enhancing clients’ outcomes.
Meet Natalie
Natalie is a dedicated audiology professional committed to improving the lives of those with hearing loss. Originally from Perth, she has earned her Masters of Clinical Audiology from the University of Western Australia. With 5 years of experience in regional and metro clinics specialising in adult rehabilitation, Natalie enjoys helping clients reconnect with loved ones through better hearing. Recently she relocated to Sydney and joined GN Hearing to continue her passion in enhancing clients’ outcomes.
GN Hearing
Meet Bailey
Bailey holds a Master's degree in Clinical Audiology and an undergraduate degree in Speech-Language Pathology. She has experience working as a Research Audiologist for Macquarie University, where she was at the forefront of innovative hearing research.
She has collaborated on projects with the National Acoustic Laboratories (NAL), Google, Cochlear, and other leading hearing aid manufacturers. Drawing on her background in Audiology, speech-language pathology and prior experience working with the Deaf community, she bring a unique and holistic perspective to improving communication access and outcomes for people with hearing challenges.
Meet Bailey
Bailey holds a Master's degree in Clinical Audiology and an undergraduate degree in Speech-Language Pathology. She has experience working as a Research Audiologist for Macquarie University, where she was at the forefront of innovative hearing research.
She has collaborated on projects with the National Acoustic Laboratories (NAL), Google, Cochlear, and other leading hearing aid manufacturers. Drawing on her background in Audiology, speech-language pathology and prior experience working with the Deaf community, she bring a unique and holistic perspective to improving communication access and outcomes for people with hearing challenges.
GN Hearing
Meet Laura
Laura holds a Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Hons 1) and worked as a paediatric speech pathologist in the Department of Education and private practices. Exposure to hearing loss impacts and fascination with hearing device technology led her to complete a Master of Audiology Studies at the University of QLD. Laura began her audiology career at Hearing Australia working with adult and paediatric clients and joined GN Hearing in 2021 as QLD Product Specialist. Laura is now managing the Product Specialist team and has a passion for training clinicians, solving everyday challenges of people with hearing loss and finding solutions that enhance client and business outcomes.
Meet Laura
Laura holds a Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Hons 1) and worked as a paediatric speech pathologist in the Department of Education and private practices. Exposure to hearing loss impacts and fascination with hearing device technology led her to complete a Master of Audiology Studies at the University of QLD. Laura began her audiology career at Hearing Australia working with adult and paediatric clients and joined GN Hearing in 2021 as QLD Product Specialist. Laura is now managing the Product Specialist team and has a passion for training clinicians, solving everyday challenges of people with hearing loss and finding solutions that enhance client and business outcomes.
GN Hearing
VIDYA RAGHAVAN
Cochlear
ALEXANDRA KIRKWOOD
Cochlear
ZACHARY HANNA
Cochlear
Meet Stephanie
Stephanie is an Audiology Australia-accredited audiologist with a passion for implantable hearing solutions. She discovered her interest in this field while working in an independent clinical setting in Melbourne, Victoria. With a strong foundation in diagnostics and rehabilitation, Stephanie has been supporting MED-EL’s hearing implant partners across Melbourne & Sydney since 2021. In her role as Clinical Specialist, she is dedicated to delivering evidence-based, patient-centred care and advancing best practices in the hearing implant field.
Meet Stephanie
Stephanie is an Audiology Australia-accredited audiologist with a passion for implantable hearing solutions. She discovered her interest in this field while working in an independent clinical setting in Melbourne, Victoria. With a strong foundation in diagnostics and rehabilitation, Stephanie has been supporting MED-EL’s hearing implant partners across Melbourne & Sydney since 2021. In her role as Clinical Specialist, she is dedicated to delivering evidence-based, patient-centred care and advancing best practices in the hearing implant field.
MED-EL
Meet Benedikt
Benedikt is a Senior Clinical Engineer/Specialist for MED-EL Australia and New Zealand, bringing over 10 years of experience in the field. He joined the team with a wealth of expertise from MED-EL Germany. His background is in biomedical engineering, with a strong focus on implantable and non-implantable hearing devices.
Meet Benedikt
Benedikt is a Senior Clinical Engineer/Specialist for MED-EL Australia and New Zealand, bringing over 10 years of experience in the field. He joined the team with a wealth of expertise from MED-EL Germany. His background is in biomedical engineering, with a strong focus on implantable and non-implantable hearing devices.
MED-EL
Meet Wonjoo
Wonjoo Lee is an Audiologist and Clinical Sales Specialist at Oticon Medical, supporting Victoria and Tasmania. He brings six years of experience across audiology support, product specialisation, and account management within the hearing healthcare industry. Prior to joining Oticon Medical, Wonjoo spent over five years in New Zealand as a Product Specialist and Account Manager at a global hearing aid manufacturer, and earlier worked as an audiologist in New Zealand. He is recognised for strong clinical insight, deep product knowledge, and a collaborative approach to supporting hearing professionals.
Meet Wonjoo
Wonjoo Lee is an Audiologist and Clinical Sales Specialist at Oticon Medical, supporting Victoria and Tasmania. He brings six years of experience across audiology support, product specialisation, and account management within the hearing healthcare industry. Prior to joining Oticon Medical, Wonjoo spent over five years in New Zealand as a Product Specialist and Account Manager at a global hearing aid manufacturer, and earlier worked as an audiologist in New Zealand. He is recognised for strong clinical insight, deep product knowledge, and a collaborative approach to supporting hearing professionals.
Oticon Medical
Meet Kathryn
Kathryn holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Clinical Audiology from the University of Melbourne and brings over 12 years of experience as a Clinical Audiologist. With a strong background in adult rehabilitation, she is passionate about delivering practical, patient‑centred hearing solutions. In her role as Clinical Sales Specialist for Queensland and South Australia for Oticon Medical, Kathryn is dedicated to increasing awareness and understanding of bone conduction hearing systems among clinicians and the wider community.
Meet Kathryn
Kathryn holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Clinical Audiology from the University of Melbourne and brings over 12 years of experience as a Clinical Audiologist. With a strong background in adult rehabilitation, she is passionate about delivering practical, patient‑centred hearing solutions. In her role as Clinical Sales Specialist for Queensland and South Australia for Oticon Medical, Kathryn is dedicated to increasing awareness and understanding of bone conduction hearing systems among clinicians and the wider community.
Oticon Medical
Meet Zlindt
Zlindt holds a Bachelor of Biomedical Science and a Master of Clinical Audiology from The University of Western Australia. She has extensive experience working in a fast paced, multi clinician hearing rehabilitation clinic, where she became one of the leading referrers of hearing implants and developed a strong interest in implantable hearing solutions. During this time, she also supervised audiology graduates and students and received the inaugural Audiology Australia Internship Award. In her role at Oticon Medical, Zlindt works closely with audiologists and Ear, Nose and Throat specialists across NSW and the ACT, supporting holistic audiological care and innovative hearing technologies.
Meet Zlindt
Zlindt holds a Bachelor of Biomedical Science and a Master of Clinical Audiology from The University of Western Australia. She has extensive experience working in a fast paced, multi clinician hearing rehabilitation clinic, where she became one of the leading referrers of hearing implants and developed a strong interest in implantable hearing solutions. During this time, she also supervised audiology graduates and students and received the inaugural Audiology Australia Internship Award. In her role at Oticon Medical, Zlindt works closely with audiologists and Ear, Nose and Throat specialists across NSW and the ACT, supporting holistic audiological care and innovative hearing technologies.
Oticon Medical
View The
Program
Tuesday, 12 May
8am-5.30pm
8am-5pm
9-9.30am
9.30-10.30am
10.30-11am
11am-12pm
12-12.30pm
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
9-10.30am
10.30-11am
11am-12.30pm
12.30-1.30pm
1.30-3pm
3-3.30pm
3.30-5pm