Stigma and hearing conditions panel webinar

This webinar will focus on what we understand from emerging research in the field, and from the perspectives of those with lived experience. Tickets are available now, with discount pricing for members of Audiology Australia and the general public as well as concession tickets for the over 65s: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/stigma-panel-tickets-191499348707.

The session, hosted by Soundfair and facilitated by Dr Jessica Vitkovic, will feature research from Dr Barbra Timmer and Prof Louise Hickson about how stigma is experienced by people with hearing loss and how this manifests in hearing help-seeking behaviours. We will hear from Scott Fisher and Patrick Haylock about how this plays out in the experiences of those who live with hearing loss. Finally, we will hold a discussion with A/Prof Christina Bryant about the ways we can deal with the consequences of stigma as a person with hearing loss and how we can avoid its perpetuation as a person living with hearing loss, friend, family member or as a clinician.

Stigma and hearing conditions panel webinar header image, showing Audiology Australia CPD points, Soundfair logo and a man looking at a laptop

Meet the panel

  • A/Prof Christina Bryant is an academic clinical psychologist and the Director of the University of Melbourne’s clinical psychology training program. She has extensive experience in the psychology and the mental health of older adults, having collaborated widely with researchers within and outside psychology, and is committed to helping to improve services for people with hearing difficulties.
  • Scott Fisher is a business owner in the financial services industry. He has lived over half his life with a hearing loss, giving him firsthand experience of the social and emotional impacts of hearing conditions. Scott is a Board Member at Soundfair Australia and is passionate about helping people understand hearing conditions.
  • Patrick Haylock is a tutor in sociology and a research assistant at the School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, and has a congenital hearing condition. Previous work has addressed the psychosocial impact of hearing conditions, online counselling, cognitive bias modification in relapse prevention, mindfulness palliative care interventions, and perspectives on brain machine interfaces.
  • Louise Hickson is Professor of Audiology and Associate Dean External Engagement in the Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences at The University of Queensland. Prof Hickson is an expert on the effects of hearing loss people’s everyday lives and the development of strategies and interventions that improve the uptake and outcomes of hearing rehabilitation.
  • Dr Barbra Timmer is a Lecturer in Audiology (Teaching & Research) at the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Senior Scientist at Sonova AG and the President of Audiology Australia.