The new chief executive officer of the Australian College of Audiology incorporating Hearing Aid Audiology Society of Australia, Mr Miguel Diaz, plans to grow the organisation and the promotion of good hearing health.
Diaz previously worked in the health sector, most recently as CEO of the peak body for Parkinson’s disease in Queensland, Parkinson’s Queensland, and in a senior role with Camp Quality Australian children’s cancer charity. He is currently chair of the board of Health Consumers Queensland.
Communication sent to members said Diaz joined ACAud inc HAASA after a career spanning the arts, corporate and not-for-profit sectors. He has had senior roles with organisations including PwC, Ernst & Young (EY), Minter Ellison and TAFE Queensland.
He has served on several not-for-profit boards and as chair of a Queensland Government board, holds an MBA, Diploma of Business Management and is a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia.
The member communication said Diaz was passionate about making a difference to the individuals, communities and organisations he engages with.
He started in the new role on 11 June 2024 and said the opportunity to grow the body was what attracted him to the role.
“I’m pleased to be working in the hearing sector,” he told Hearing Practitioner Australia.
“With around 3.9 million Australians experiencing some form of hearing loss, there’s an opportunity for ACAud inc HAASA to make a significant difference to the hearing health of Australians by promoting best practice across the hearing industry and advocating for improved access, affordability, equity and awareness.
“I’m looking forward to working with our members and the industry to promote good hearing health.”
Diaz replaced Ms Jane Hedger, former ACAud CEO, who left the college in May 2024 for a role outside the hearing health sector.
The week after he started in his new role he flew to Canberra for a two-day meeting with Hearing Health Sector Alliance colleagues, Department of Health representatives Mr Chris Carlile, Mr Rob Aked, Ms Jenny McDonald and advisor to the Minister for Health and Aged Care, Ms Aria Bolkus.
ACAud inc HAASA and Audiology Australia (AudA) are Australia’s professional accrediting bodies for hearing practitioners.
In what was described as a major boost for the future of audiometry nationwide, ACAud and HAASA announced on 13 March 2024 they would amalgamate to form a stronger organisation for enhanced advocacy, member support and client services. HAASA’s 130 audiometrist members were moved into the ACAud database of 875, 75% of whom were audiometrists and the rest audiologists, creating an organisation of 1,005 members.
Diaz said the amalgamation became official on 1 July and was working well.
“The new trading name is ACAud incorporating HAASA and the new logo is being finalised,” he said.
When not working he enjoys time with family and friends, camping, playing soccer and playing music. He was previously a professional singer and had stints in the Phantom of the Opera and with Opera Australia.
