speaker profiles
Keynote Speaker
Dr Hashir Aazh
Hashir Aazh, PhD is an academic clinician specialising in rehabilitative therapies for tinnitus, hyperacusis, misophonia, and other forms of sound sensitivity. Over the last decade, he has trained and supervised more than a thousand audiologists and psychologists through specialist masterclasses in tinnitus and sound intolerance. He has published over 70 peer-reviewed research papers in the field of audiology and has played a leading role in pioneering audiologist-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy for tinnitus, hyperacusis, and misophonia through clinical services, training programmes, and research. His work has contributed to the development of psychometric tools for differential diagnosis, assessment of symptom severity, impact on daily life, and patient confidence in managing tinnitus and sound intolerance. He has also led research on internet-based CBT interventions and on adapting audiological procedures to better meet the needs of patients with tinnitus and hyperacusis. This includes work on audiological diagnostic criteria for hyperacusis, alongside the development of psychometric and screening tools used in audiology services to support assessment of psychological comorbidities and decision-making around referral to mental health services. He is Honorary Hearing Research Consultant at Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust, Affiliate Associate Professor at Florida Atlantic University, and Visiting Research Fellow at University of Surrey. He has served as Managing Editor of Noise and Health, Associate Editor of the International Journal of Audiology, and Secretary of the British Society of Audiology. He serves as President of the 8th International Hyperacusis and Misophonia Conference, to be held in Hanover, Germany, in October 2026, and as President of the 4th World Tinnitus Congress and XV International Tinnitus Seminar, to be held in London in 2027. He also leads a specialist private practice dedicated exclusively to supporting adults and children with tinnitus, hyperacusis, and misophonia using cognitive behavioural therapy. His clinical work is based in Guildford and London, with international provision via video consultations. An independent ranking of biomedical experts has recognised Dr Aazh as the number one expert in hyperacusis in Europe, second worldwide, and among the top one percent of tinnitus experts globally over the last decade.
Keynote Speaker
Douglas Beck AuD
Dr Beck earned his undergraduate degree in Communication Disorders & Sciences (1982), his master's degree from University of Buffalo (1984) and his Doctor of Audiology (AuD) from the University of Florida (2000). His career began in Los Angeles at the House Ear Institute in cochlear implant research and intraoperative cranial nerve monitoring. In 1988, he joined the medical school faculty at Saint Louis University in the Department of Otolaryngology. Eight years later he co-founded an audiology and hearing aid dispensing practice in St Louis, Missouri. In 1999 he became President and Editor-In-Chief of AudiologyOnline.com. Dr. Beck joined Oticon Inc. in August 2005 and 17+ years later, he retired as Vice President of Academic Sciences in March, 2022. Throughout his years of full-time employment at Oticon he also served as Web Content Editor for the American Academy of Audiology 2008-2015, Senior Editor for Clinical Research at the Hearing Review from 2016 and Adjunct Clinical Professor of Communication Disorders at the State University of New York, Buffalo. In March, 2022, he became Vice President of Clinical Sciences at Cognivue Inc. He retired on Jun 30, 2023. Dr. Beck continued to write, lecture, and consult globally for multiple clinical, scientific and other entities. In January 2024 Dr Beck joined The Hearing Matters Podcast (www.hearingmatterspodcast.com) as co-host through May 2025. In November, 2024 Dr Beck was awarded the Association of Independent Hearing Healthcare Professionals (AIHHP) Golden Lobe Recognition Award for Outstanding Service in the United Kingdom. In April 2025 Dr Beck became Senior Director of Audiology at EssilorLuxottica. In March 2025 Dr Beck received the "Lifetime Achievement Award in Hearing Sciences and Patient Care" from Audiology Experts (Boston, USA). In April of 2025 he became Associate Editor of the Journal of Otolaryngology ENT Research (JOENTR). Dr. Beck is among the most prolific authors in audiology with 260+ publications, interviews, and op-eds written for the AAA, ASHA, IHS, Hearing Review, Audiology Online, The Hearing Journal, the Journal of Otolaryngology ENT Research, and other professional publications addressing a wide variety of topics including; Op-Eds, audiology, language, pediatrics, cognition, cognitive screeners, prescription and OTC hearing aids, amplification, vision, psychology, neuroscience, anatomy and physiology, counselling and more. Dr. Beck is a sought after lecturer globally and has presented 1200+ lectures, keynote addresses, podcasts, and other professional presentations.
Luke Carroll
Luke Carroll is one of Australia’s most prominent and accomplished Indigenous actors, known for his outstanding contributions across television, film, theatre, and media. With a career spanning over three decades, Luke has built a reputation for his versatility and passion for storytelling, playing key roles in both mainstream and Indigenous-led productions. Luke first rose to fame as a child star on the iconic children’s television show Lift Off in 1989, and since then, he has become a familiar face in Australian homes. He has appeared in a wide range of films and TV shows, including prominent roles in Play School (ABC), where he is a long-time host, and as a regular presenter on Channel 7’s Sydney Weekender. Luke also plays an important role on National Indigenous Television (NITV),including his hosting duties for Big Mob Brekky during NAIDOC Week, where he showcases and celebrates the achievements and stories of the Indigenous community. A gifted and sought-after MC, Luke’s credits include hosting prestigious events such as the Australia Day Celebrations at the Sydney Opera House, broadcast nationally on Channel 10, and on-field MC duties for the NRL All Stars Games and State of Origin. He has also hosted major awards ceremonies, including the National NAIDOC Awards and numerous corporate and community events over the years. Outside of his media work, Luke is a proud father of two boys and a passionate supporter of the South Sydney Rabbitohs and Sydney Swans. His commitment to his family, community, and heritage remains central to his work and life. Whether on screen, behind the mic, or in the theatre, Luke continues to break barriers and inspire audiences, while using his platform to elevate Indigenous voices and stories.
Professor Marcus Atlas AM
Professor Marcus Atlas is a world-renowned ear, hearing and skull base surgeon scientist based in Perth, Western Australia. Professor Atlas has a worldwide reputation in ear and hearing surgery and disorders. He is one of few surgeons whose outcomes are published in international journals. His personal results of cochlear implantation, stapedectomy, mastoid surgery for chronic ear disease and acoustic neuroma surgery have been peer reviewed and analysed in comparison with major skull base institutions worldwide.
Dr Bec Bennett
Dr. Bec Bennett is a Principal Research Audiologist at the National Acoustic Laboratories (NAL) and an NHMRC Investigator Fellow. Her research focuses on improving the social and emotional wellbeing of adults with hearing loss and enhancing the quality of adult audiological rehabilitation. She has led projects on digital health, tele-audiology service delivery, and supporting people with sub-clinical hearing difficulties. Dr. Bennett is passionate about participatory research and works closely with consumers, clinicians, and industry partners to translate evidence into practice.
Dr Adrienne Blechman
Adrienne Blechman is the Principal Audiologist and co-founder of HEARING SAVERS. With over 20 years of experience in hearing healthcare, she is widely respected for her client-focused care, clinical expertise and business acumen in the hearing sector.Adrienne currently consults with clients three days a week and remains active in improving the broader profession. She serves on the AcAUD examiner panel, contributes regularly to ACCORD magazine and was recently part of the NAL3 in-clinic trials.Her career began with Hearing Australia, and after completing her graduate year, she co-founded Absolute Hearing, which grew into one of Victoria’s largest independent hearing providers. In 2013, she launched HEARING SAVERS, combining traditional clinics with a modern retail model that includes a nationwide network of independent clinics, driving innovation and expanding access to hearing care across Australia. Adrienne holds a Doctor of Audiology from A.T. Still University (USA) and a Master of Clinical Audiology from the University of Melbourne. She is a full member of the Australian College of Audiology (ACAud)
Professor Simon Carlile
Senior executive, strategist, entrepreneur and researcher with a depth of experience as Vice President for Research (Starkey Hearing Technologies), Chief Information Officer (University of Sydney), CTO and CEO of two startup companies and Professor of Neuroscience (Faculty of Medicine, University of Sydney). Focused on translating cutting edge technology for delivering on human needs and building innovative and sustainable solutions. Now working with Google Research (Australia) and best in class research colleagues in the Sydney Basin and beyond.
Dr Piers Dawes
Piers
Dawes is Professor of Audiology and Director of the Centre for Hearing Research
(CHEAR) at the University of Queensland, and Professor of Audiology at the
Manchester Centre for Audiology and Deafness (ManCAD) at the University of
Manchester. Professor Dawes’s research concerns i) understanding causes and
impacts of hearing impairment in the context of multimorbidity in older age,
ii) prevention and treatment of hearing impairment, and iii) hearing service
development and evaluation, particularly regarding accessibility and equity of
hearing services. Professor Dawes was US-UK Fulbright scholar and received
the British Society of Audiology’s TS Littler prize for services to audiology
for his work on the epidemiology of hearing impairment. Professor Dawes
was the founding chair of the British Society of Audiology’s special interest
group for cognition in hearing, which promotes research and raising awareness
of new developments on cognitive issues in hearing science, assessment and intervention. Professor Dawes
is joint PI for “Ears, Eyes and Mind: The “SENSE-Cog Project” to improve mental
well-being for elderly Europeans with sensory impairment”, a €6.2 million
EU Horizon 2020 project. As part of SENSE-Cog, Professor Dawes led
development and validation of versions of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment
(internationally the most used cognitive screening test) for people with
hearing or vision impairment. Professor Dawes is also PI of ‘SENSE-cog
residential care’ and SENSE-Cog home care’, with AUD$2.8 million from the NHMRC
for hearing and vision support for people with dementia in Australian aged care
settings. Professor Dawes is PI for a AUD$1 million project to improve access
to hearing service for people from culturally and linguistically diverse
backgrounds.
Brent Edwards
Brent has headed research and development departments at both startup and mature companies for over 20 years. He is experienced at developing corporate strategy, university collaborations, corporate partnerships, and innovation initiatives. Brent is a seasoned presenter, having spoken at over 100 conferences, given invited keynote presentations, and am comfortable on stage whether speaking to small engineering teams or thousands of customers. He has also published extensively in academic and trade journals .Specialties: leading an R&D team, defining corporate strategies that integrate R&D with sales and marketing, developing industry-university projects, developing strategic business relationships, patent strategies, public speaking
Dr Pádraig Kitterick
Pádraig Kitterick is the Head of Audiological Sciences at the National Acoustic Laboratories, Sydney Australia and leads NAL’s adult hearing loss research portfolio. Padraig joined NAL in 2021 from his previous role as Head of Hearing Sciences at the University of Nottingham, UK where he conducted translational research on severe-profound hearing loss including cochlear implantation. Pádraig gained his PhD in Psychology by examining how the natural ageing process may contribute to listening difficulties in multi-talker environments. He held a post-doctoral research fellowship in the Department of Psychology in the University of York, carrying out research on spatial listening in normally-hearing and hearing-impaired populations, including users of hearing aids and cochlear implants. His research on cochlear implants has influenced policy on who is eligible to access auditory implants in the UK. His current research focusses on the evaluation of hearing health technologies, personalisation of hearing devices, and creating targeted solutions for specific populations of adults with hearing difficulties.
Petris Lapis
Petris has worked as a tax professional, law lecturer, chief financial officer, senior trainer, consultant, external author and director. She has qualifications in business, law, coaching, performance consulting and hypnosis and has been trained as a senior mindfulness trainer for the world’s leading corporate mindfulness group. Petris has contributed to committees and boards for a number of professional and sporting bodies. She has consulted to industry, government and the non-profit sector. Petris has also published several books and hundreds of papers. She lives life with humour and leaves audiences feeling empowered to make easy practical changes to improve their working and personal lives. Audiences love her light hearted, warm and engaging approach to even difficult subjects. Programs by Petris have featured in magazines, professional journals and online publications for a wide variety of industries. Petris has received numerous presenter of the conference awards at both National and State conferences.
Mohammed Musthafa
“Meet Mohammed Musthafa, a visionary Audiologist whose journey in audiology began with a Master's degree from India 13 years ago. His career has spanned across various sectors, including prestigious hospitals, as a product specialist and manager for leading manufacturers, in adult rehab clinics as a cherished hearing specialist, and steering businesses at multinational providers as a business manager. His passion for audiology isn't just about the now but the next, always exploring sustainable solutions to support both clients and professionals in the field. As the co-founder of Audience Hearing in Sydney, Musthafa is on a mission to shine a light on hearing health, driven by the belief that education, prevention, and treatment are the keystones to addressing the global challenge of hearing loss. His work is underpinned by a simple yet powerful conviction: awareness is the catalyst for change. Gear up for an enlightening session with Musthafa, as he unveils how social media can elevate hearing health to new heights, making care more accessible for all.”
Dr Ian O'Brien PhD
PhD MAudSt MPhil BMus(Hons) DipAudEng MAudSA(CCP)Ian O’Brien is a professional musician, researcher, clinical audiologist and sound engineer with degrees in Music and Audiology.Ian is widely published in the field of orchestral musicians’ aural health and was a member of the University of Sydney Medical School’s Sound Practice Project, investigating the health of Australia’s orchestral musicians. He devised a groundbreaking hearing conservation strategy for the Queensland Symphony Orchestra – which continues to protect the hearing of its musicians and is used as a template for hearing conservation in orchestras across the world. He regularly provides training and advice to musicians, music teachers, professional orchestras, music institutions and music schools on their own approaches. Ian is currently a Principal musician with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, a Research Audiologist with Audeara, and Director of Musician’s Ears, an audiology clinic dedicated to the hearing of performing artists.
Daniel Pistritto
Passionate about helping people reconnect with the sounds of life, Daniel has dedicated his career to breaking down barriers and building understanding around hearing health. As an experienced Clinical Audiometrist and Lyric Authorised Partner, Daniel brings both clinical expertise and a commitment to compassionate care to every consultation. Whether it’s navigating the latest in assistive listening technology or fostering a supportive space for clients, Daniel is there to transform how we think about—and hear—the world
Dr Cath Sucher
Dr Cathy Sucher has over 25 years’ experience working in paediatric and adult re/habilitative audiology and clinical research. She earned her Post-graduate Diploma of Audiology and Masters of Audiology from the University of Melbourne and her Clinical Doctorate of Audiology from the University of Florida. In addition, she is an Adjunct Research Fellow at Curtin University and an Adjunct Senior Research Fellow at the University of Western Australia. Cathy is currently the Audiology Coordinator of the Paediatric Cochlear Implant Program at Perth Children’s Hospital in Perth, Western Australia. She has worked throughout Australia and internationally, in the UK and Canada with experience in public hospital systems, not-for-profits and CI manufacturers. Her research focuses on clinical outcomes, hearing service provision and telehealth. She has presented at numerous national and international conferences and has been published in various peer-reviewed journals. Cathy is very passionate about combining her clinical experience with innovative translational clinical research with the aim to improve the hearing outcomes and quality of life of people with hearing impairment.
Dr Jessica Vitkovic
Dr Jessica Vitkovic owns Dizzyology; a clinical, education and consultancy service in all things vestibular where she leverages her expertise to help support dizzy people and health professionals. She has over 21 years experience as a vestibular audiologist and is an internationally recognized vestibular educator and academic in vestibular audiology. She helps set practice standards and advocates for the profession and people with hearing and balance disorders. She also brings recent experience in government, business acumen, entrepreneurship and human centered design. Dr Vitkovic would like to see a world in which people with balance disorders are seen, validated and supported to live their best life.
Dr Angela Loucks Alexander
Dr. Angela Loucks Alexander, Audiologist, specializes in diagnosing and treating Auditory Processing Disorder (APD). Angela's TEDx talk "Escaping the Hidden Prison of Auditory Processing Disorder" was the most-watched TEDx worldwide in September 2021. She hosts the Between Two Ears podcast and directs the Auditory Processing Institute, where she trains audiologists and speech-language pathologists to provide APD services. She has also created an online, searchable map to help clients find the help they need at APDsupport.com.