Hearing Practitioner Australia’s bi-monthly bulletin to keep the Australian hearing sector updated on new appointments and personnel changes, nationally and globally.
REBECCA GAY LEADS WSA WHOLESALE ANZ
Ms Rebecca Gay is WSA’s new managing director of wholesale, Australia and New Zealand, effective 1 October 2025. WSA said her appointment marked a significant step in its investment in leadership excellence and commitment to delivering value to wholesale customers. With more than two decades of experience in the hearing care industry, Gay brings a unique blend of clinical expertise and strategic acumen to the role. She has a Master of Clinical Audiology from Macquarie University and degrees in science and psychology from the University of Sydney. Gay will report to WSA’s APAC president and join the APAC leadership team.
NEW EYE AND EAR DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL SERVICES
Dr Nathan Vos is the new director of medical services at The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital. He gained his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, Medicine from the University of Tasmania, before working for the Department of Health in Tasmania. Dr Vos later worked for Monash Health and Cabrini Health in Melbourne. He has experience in medical administration and is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators. He also has a dual Master’s in Public Health and Health Leadership and Management. Dr Vos has been supporting the hospital as its medical administration fellow since the start of 2025.
CHARLEN LAVOIE JOINS THE AUDIOLOGY PLACE
Mrs Charlen Lavoie has joined The Audiology Place independent audiology practice in Forestville, NSW. Owner Dr Signe Steers said their professional paths had been intertwined for more than 20 years and they had now joined forces again. Lavoie has a Bachelor Science du Langage from Universite du Quebec a Montreal, a Master Science de la Sante (Audiology) from Universite d’ Ottawa and specialises in full scope audiology, with a particular interest in complex diagnostics. Dr Steers said with their long-standing professional relationship built on trust, experience, and shared values, their collaboration brought strength and continuity to the practice.
BOB COWAN JOINS THE SHEPHERD CENTRE BOARD
The Shepherd Centre has appointed Professor Robert (Bob) Cowan to its board of directors. A global leader in audiology and hearing sciences, Prof Cowan is director of HEARnet Clinical Studies, a principal research fellow at The University of Melbourne, and has honorary appointments at The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital. He has had senior roles with Audiology Australia and the International Society of Audiology, and his contributions have been recognised with awards and international fellowships. The Shepherd Centre said Prof Cowan’s expertise and lifelong commitment to improving outcomes for people with hearing loss would be invaluable.
AG BELL ACADEMY APPOINTS TRUDY SMITH
The AG Bell Academy for Listening and Spoken Language in Washington DC has appointed Australian teacher of the deaf Ms Trudy Smith to its board of directors. Smith has taught since 1988 and is NextSense Institute’s Continuing Professional Education manager and adjunct lecturer at Macquarie University. The academy is an independent subsidiary of the Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and global accrediting body for certified Listening and Spoken Language Specialists in early intervention or education. Smith will remain in her NextSense role and attend board meetings remotely apart from one in-person visit to the US annually.
ERIC BERNARD IS THE NEW CEO FOR SONOVA
Mr Eric Bernard is the new Sonova CEO, effective 15 September 2025. Sonova Holding AG announced on 15 September that he had officially stepped into the role. Bernard joined the group on 1 July 2025, and succeeds Mr Arnd Kaldowsk who had been in the role since 2018. Bernard previously worked for the Essilor Group for 20 years including being its ANZ CEO from October 2000 to June 2005. He also worked for Nikkon-Essilor, was chairman of the board for hear.com, and worked for WSA in Denmark including being its group president and CEO for nearly five years.
Do you have career news to share? To be featured, email details to the editor, Helen Carter at helen.carter@primecreative.com.au.
