Deafness Forum Australia is hosting a free webinar for international Tinnitus Awareness Week this week, 3-9 February 2025, featuring world renowned tinnitus expert, Melbourne audiologist Ms Myriam Westcott and consumer advocate Ms Victoria Didenko.
The webinar is open to everyone including hearing practitioners and the public.
Deafness Forum Australia CEO Mr Steve Williamson said tinnitus was becoming more common due to noisy environments, making it more important than ever to raise awareness and promote hearing health.
“This webinar will provide helpful tips for managing and preventing tinnitus,” he said. “It’s a great chance to learn more about this issue, which could be something that might already affect you or someone you know.
“The webinar is open to anyone who’s dealing with tinnitus, at risk, or just interested in learning more. We will also offer live captioning and Auslan interpreters to ensure everyone can take part.”
Expected learnings include understanding tinnitus and how it affects hearing, simple strategies for protecting hearing, why early detection is important and how lifestyle changes can improve hearing health.
Westcott is director of DWM Audiology, a leading tinnitus and hyperacusis clinic in Melbourne which is renowned internationally. She is also an internationally recognised audiologist in the fields of tinnitus, hyperacusis, acoustic shock, tensor tympani syndrome (TTS) and misophonia understanding, evaluation and therapy.
Westcott is committed to the development of innovative and effective clinical approaches to therapy and treatment, working closely with a range of health professionals in a multidisciplinary setting. She has carried out clinically based hyperacusis, acoustic shock and TTS published research, provides medico-legal opinions and regularly gives presentations, lectures, training, articles and interviews on tinnitus, hyperacusis, acoustic shock and misophonia.
She has been a member of the Advisory Committee for Tinnitus Australia (now Tinnitus Awareness), provides support to the Tinnitus Association of Victoria and is on the scientific committee for the International Conference on Hyperacusis and Misophonia.
Didenko is a consumer advocate who will share her personal experience with tinnitus. She has lived with tinnitus for 11 years and turned her personal journey into a powerful mission to raise awareness and advocate for those affected by the condition.
The mother of two, who is an actress and voice-over artist, played a key role in establishing Tinnitus Awareness, and has launched several impactful campaigns to spotlight the challenges faced by those living with tinnitus.
The webinar, called Tinnitus unveiled, will be online this Thursday 6 February 2025 from 1pm to 2.30pm AEDT. Register here.
Click here for more information about tinnitus week and resources.
Resources include:
- The Tinnitus Thermometer from the Ida Institute which helps practitioners assess how patients are experiencing tinnitus and how they are coping with tinnitus at the time of their appointment. Practitioners can use the PDF or online questionnaire to assess how their clients are experiencing tinnitus at any given moment and over time.
- The Tinnitus Communication Guide which suggests useful questions and communication tips to help practitioners understand their clients and communicate effectively and empathetically.
- A Tinnitus First Aid Kit, developed with the British Tinnitus Association, is a website of advice and information for people newly diagnosed with tinnitus.
Deafness Forum Australia is the peak not-for-profit for Australians with hearing issues.
