academic planning committee

The Academic Planning Committee carefully curated a Congress program that placed people at the heart of innovation.

Bringing together expertise from clinical practice, research, education and industry, the Committee developed a program featuring thought-provoking keynotes, practical workshops and emerging research exploring how artificial intelligence and new technologies can enhance compassionate, person-centred hearing care.

The program was designed to encourage meaningful professional exchange while providing delegates with practical insights and tools that could be applied directly in their work.

**VIJAY MARIMUTHU, PhD Academic Chair**
Vijay has a Bachelor & Masters (Speech & Hearing) degrees from India and a PhD in Audiology from Macquarie University, Sydney. He has substantial experience in the areas of research, teaching, and clinical audiology in addition to extensive knowledge of how the hearing industry (Hearing aids & Implantable Auditory Prostheses) works domestically and globally. He has also amassed extensive leadership experience.

**JANETTE BRAZEL**
Janette is an Audiologist specialising in education of Audiometrists and working in Aboriginal ear health. She has 39 years in the hearing health industry, beginning her career with NAL as a rehabilitative audiologist in the late eighties. She then moved into community health and teaching both Audiometrists and Audiologists. She also has worked as an Industrial Audiologist, Paediatric Audiologist and in ENT clinics.

**KYLIE DICIERI**
Kylie is an accomplished audiologist with over 23 years of experience spanning clinical audiology and corporate governance. Dual certifications in both audiology and audiometry, and currently serving as ACAud Chair and Board Member since 2019. Also holds the role of Director and Senior Audiologist at Hearing Aid Specialists SA, a position held for over a decade. From 2008 to 2022, served as the ACAud National Congress Coordinator, successfully managing and delivering six ACAud National Congress.

**MARK PATON**
Mark is an Audiometrist with a Diploma of Audiometry and a Cert IV of Training & Assessment. He has held positions on the following committees: Nominations & Remuneration Committee, ACAud Examiner Panel, Co-Representative on Hearing Health Sector Alliance, HHSA Teleaudiology Working Group, HHSA Aged Care, Business Review Group to develop the new HSP portal and processes, UQ Audiology curriculum development program.

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