The University of Western Australia (UWA) has celebrated the 25th anniversary of its Master of Clinical Audiology course, run by the School of Human Sciences.
About 100 alumni attended the celebration on 5 May 2025 at the university along with the audiology teaching team – comprising Associate Professor Helen Goulios, Associate Professor Helmy Mulders, Dr Robyn Choi and Ms Emma Chaffey.
Audiologists and scientists previously or currently teaching in the course as well as Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Tim Colmer and Professor Silvana Gaudieri, Head of the School of Human Sciences, also attended.
A/Prof Wilhelmina ‘Helmy’ Mulders said the course was created due to a request from the Western Australian audiological community, who experienced an unmet need for well-trained audiologists to serve the public.
“They approached members of the UWA Auditory Laboratory, Professor Don Robertson, Dr Robert Patuzzi and the late Dr Graeme Yates who developed and launched the course,” she told HPA.
Clinical director of audiology at UWA, Associate Professor Helen Goulious, who has been involved in the course since its inception, summarised its history.
She then chaired a panel discussion comprising former UWA audiology graduates, Ms Mona Helmsley (Audika), Ms Emma Chaffey (UWA audiology lecturer), Dr Andre Wedekind (Medical Audiology Services) and Mr Luke Austin (Hearing Australia).
Panel members said they had selected the course based on the resumes of inspiring and excellent teaching staff and small cohorts created an enjoyable learning environment and resulted in life-long connections.
They viewed the future of audiology positively and suggested changes in view of AI and OTC (over the counter) hearing aids were not to be feared but embraced. They said the profession was evolving towards more counselling and emphasised that audiologists are more than just hearing aid dispensers but are at the forefront of client hearing health.
Cochlear implant numbers were increasing, tinnitus counselling was important and the personal relationship between practitioner and client could not be overstated as an important factor for audiological rehabilitation, they said.
Dr Wedekind discussed the exciting horizon of advanced scope for audiologists, expanding their expertise as they were perfectly positioned to take pressure off long waiting lists for specialised services.
