UWA opens paediatric soundproof booth for audiology research and student training

A paediatric soundproof booth has opened at The University of Western Australia (UWA) for research and training of audiology students.

The booth officially opened on 27 May 2025.

“We anticipate that 40 to 50 audiology students will be trained in the booth each year,” UWA senior audiology lecturer Dr Robyn Choi said. “We are going to use it to enhance paediatric skills in Masters students.”

L-R, The UWA audiology teaching team, Associate Professor Helmy Mulders, Dr Robyn Choi, Associate Professor Helen Goulios and Ms Emma Chaffey. Image: UWA.

The Stan Perron Charitable Foundation, which supports charitable causes especially those related to the health and wellbeing of Western Australian children, donated about $150,000 to the project.

“Thanks to Stan Perron’s extraordinary support, we now have our very own, purpose built, state-of-the-art research booth here at UWA,” Dr Choi said.

L-R, Head of the UWA department of anatomy and physiology, Associate Professor Pete Noble, Associate Professor Helmy Mulders, Dr Robyn Choi, UWA head of the school of human sciences, Associate Professor Silvana Gaudieri, Associate Professor Helen Goulios and Ms Emma Chaffey. Image: UWA.

Kids needed for auditory processing study

Paediatrican Dr Gervase Chaney, a board member of the foundation, attended the launch, with Ms Sophie Winfield and Ms Mikaela Turner from Telethon 7 which is funding the audiology department’s central auditory processing disorder (CAPD) study.

“The CAPD study is investigating novel ways to treat children with CAPD using rhythmic exercise,” Dr Choi said. “It has been funded by Telethon 7 and has been going for the past three years.

“We are still looking for children with listening difficulties aged seven to 12 years old to participate in eight-week, twice weekly rhythmic exercise classes. The classes are at UWA, Cockburn and Joondalup.”

L-R, Members of the grant chief investigator team who attended the launch, Associate Professor Dan Brown, Professor Jenny Rodgers, Dr Robyn Choi, Associate Professor Helmy Mulders and Dr Kristin Barry. Image: UWA.

Dr Choi, Ms Emma Chaffey and Associate Professor Helen Goulios from the audiology teaching team also attended the launch along with some of the chief investigators who helped access funding for the booth.

The chief investigator team consisted of UWA audiology lecturer Associate Professor Helmy Mulders, Professor Jennifer Rodger, Dr Kristin Barry, Dr Hadeel Tarawneh, Professor Peter Friendland, Dr Alex Tang, Associate Professor Melanie Ferguson, Professor Chris Brennan-Jones and Associate Professor Daniel Brown.

Associate Professor Silvana Gaudieri, head of the university’s School of Human Sciences, which the audiology department is part of, and Associate Professor Pete Noble, department head of anatomy and physiology, also attended.

Associate Professor Helmy Mulders, left, and Dr Robyn Choi in the paediatric soundproof booth complete with toys ready for testing of children. Image: UWA.

People who want their children to take part in the CAPD rhythmic exercise study can email audiologyresearch@uwa.edu.au or audiologyresearch@uwa.edu.auMANDYD10.