The Tasmanian Centre for Hearing
The Tasmanian Centre for Hearing is one of the longest established independent private Audiology practices in Australia. The Centre for Hearing is staffed by Audiologists, Audiometrists, Industrial Screeners, Safety Officer, reception and support staff. Our talented staff have a wide range of experience in all aspects of hearing care.
Independent Providers
As an independent not-for-profit provider, we can proudly say that our staff do not receive any commission on sales of hearing aids, so you can be assured that you are getting unbiased professional advice. We partner with you to find the best solution for your hearing issues according to your needs, motivation, preferences, and budget.
Susan
Susan, our Senior Audiologist, has been in independent private practice for over 30 years and is one of the most experienced Audiologists in Australia. She obtained a Bachelor of Science, with a major in Pathology and Advanced Histology, then completed the graduate Diploma of Audiology at the University of Melbourne in 1980. After a stint as Paediatiric Audiologist for Tasmania with the (then) National Acoustic Laboratories, she commenced independent practice in 1985.
Following difficulties with the fitting and maintenance of newly introduced in-the-ear hearing aids, she founded Advance Hearing Laboratories Pty Ltd to manufacture hearing-aids in Hobart. This enabled the adoption of the highest quality techniques in impressions, ear-mould manufacture and customisation of the electro-acoustic performance of in-the ear hearing-aids. It was during these years of working closely with clients that the various barriers to the successful wearing of hearing-aids were identified.
Hearing Aid Design Development
As clients were able to wear hearing-aids for longer and longer periods issues of the physical comfort of ear-moulds lead to a research program by Dr Malcolm Grenness into movements within the ear canal conducted at the University of Tasmania. Other factors such as the performance of impression materials and the chemistry of the materials from which ear-moulds and hearing-aid shells and casings were made from were found to impact upon the successful wearing of hearing aids. The advent of digital hearing-aids led to a new era of acoustic output refinement previously only dreamt about. Manufacturers have continually refined sound processing algorithms such that modern hearing-aids are truly remarkable in their capacity to meet client needs. However, sound processing algorithms are not enough and it is only the absolute commitment of all the clinicians at the Tasmanian Centre for Hearing to use a patient-centred approach to overcome the barriers to the wearing of hearing-aids that a new protocol for the fitting and adaptation to hearing-aids has developed.
Forefront of Neuro-Audiological Research
Susan is truly excited about the emerging brain and hearing research that is impacting on our ability to provide hearing outcomes like never before. We are very proud to be at the forefront of the latest neuro-audiological research and having the capacity to apply it in new and innovative ways.
Professional and Academic Relationships
She was founding member and fellow of ACAud, AudAust member with a current clinical certificate (AudAustCC) and Fellow of the AICD. She attended the first Master Class for Tinnitus and Hyperacusis at London University where the new ‘Gain Theory’ was presented by Prof Brian Moore. She made a poster presentation at the most recent Conference in Tinnitus and Hyperacusis in London in 2015.She is commencing a PhD at the University of Tasmania
Malcolm
Malcolm is a dentist practicing in Hobart and has applied knowledge in material science and head and neck anatomy to the taking of ear canal impressions and the fabrication of ear-moulds from different materials to provide optimal outcomes in meeting hearing client need. He undertook research into ear canal shape and movement at the University of Tasmania leading to a degree of Master of Medical Science and the journal publication: Mapping ear canal movement using area-based surface matching. Grenness MJ, Osborn J, Weller WL. J Acoust Soc Am. 2002 Feb;111(2):960-71.He has also completed a Doctor of Philosophy for research in biomedical photogrammetry in 2009
Associated with this research, Susan Grenness developed a modified method of taking ear impressions that results in far greater client comfort, important for the all day wearing of hearing-aids.
Emily
Emily is an Audiometrist with over 10 years of experience as an Industrial consultant in the management of noise safety programs. In this role, Emily travels all over Tasmania visiting various workplaces and conducting workplace hearing screening, education and preventive noise hazard advice.
In addition to her Diploma of Audiometry, Emily has a Bachelor in Environmental Design and dual Masters in Architecture and Construction Management with a thesis on traffic noise attenuation in heritage homes.
Emily also has a specific interest in understanding and management of Central Auditory Processing Disorders (CAPD). Having CAPD herself, Emily has experienced firsthand the complexity that this disorder can add to people’s lives, significantly during childhood and learning at school.