Hearing Practitioner Australia’s bi-monthly bulletin to keep the Australian hearing sector updated on new appointments and personnel changes, nationally and globally.
NEW HEAD OF GROWTH AT SPECSAVERS AUDIOLOGY ANZ
Mr James Chapman brings a wealth of experience to this role, having joined Specsavers in 2020 as an audiology relationship manager. Over the past four years, he has made a positive impact and created great inroads in supporting and strengthening its partners. Most recently, he has been on secondment as the senior professional recruitment manager, recruiting new employees and partners to join Specsavers. In his new role, Chapman is responsible for strategic planning and implementation of Specsavers Audiology’s growth activity for Australia and New Zealand as Specsavers Audiology continues to grow its footprint across both countries.
EAR SCIENCE INSTITUTE’S NEW CLINIC MANAGER
Ms Ronel Chester-Browne is the new Ear Science Clinic manager at Ear Science Institute Australia. She has been involved in cochlear implantation for nearly 30 years. She joined the institute in 2010 after being Pretoria Cochlear Implant Program coordinator for 10 years, training undergraduate and postgraduate audiologists in cochlear implants and mapping and collaborating with surgical and audiology colleagues nationally and internationally. She recently had her expertise in cochlear implants recognised through Audiology Australia, obtaining her Qualified Practitioner credential.
HEAD OF IMPLANT INNOVATION TO PIONEER RESEARCH EFFORTS
Dr Christo Bester is the new Head of Implant Innovation (Research) at Ear Science Institute Australia. He is an auditory neuroscientist and a leading cochlear implant researcher who joined the institute in 2022. He has a growing track record of innovation in cochlear implants including leading major interventional trials. Dr Bester has worked with implant manufacturers, surgeons, audiologists and scientists. In this newly created role he will pioneer research efforts at Ear Science toward improving implant diagnostics and outcomes for patients.
AUDIOLOGY SPECIALIST TO SPEARHEAD IMPLANT INNOVATION
Dr Barbara Heinze has a new role as Implant Innovation Research Lead at Ear Science Institute Australia (ESIA.) Dr Heinze joined Ear Science in 2021 as a clinical specialist in vestibular audiology and neurotology. She previously worked at the University of Pretoria, South Africa performing a multi-functional role including lecturing, clinical work and research. Dr Heinze has authored various publications and has presented internationally.
EXPRESSION AUDIOLOGY COLLINGWOOD APPOINTS MANAGER
Audiologist Ms Jenna Turner has joined Expression Audiology in Victoria as clinical manager audiology at Expression Audiology Collingwood. She previously worked as a manager and audiologist at Hearing Australia and started in her new role in April 2024.
NEW AUDIOLOGIST FOR GEELONG AND COLLINGWOOD CLINICS
Ms Sherry Wang has started as an audiologist with Expression Audiology. She divides her time between Expression Audiology Collingwood and its Geelong clinic. She previously worked at Bay Audio in Goulburn and started in her new position in May 2024.
Do you have career news to share? Email details to HPA editor Helen Carter at helen.carter@primecreative.com.au to be featured.
