In 2026, Dina Mavris and A/Prof Phillip Chang taught two sessions for Macquarie University’s Master of Audiology students, from cochlear implant basics to real-world clinical decision-making.
Supporting the next generation of audiologists is something we care deeply about. In 2026, Dina Mavris, Director of Audiology, Research & Relationships, and A/Prof Phillip Chang, ENT surgeon, taught two sessions for Master of Audiology students at Macquarie University.
Session one: an introduction to cochlear implants (May)
The first session gave students a grounding in cochlear implants:
- how cochlear implants work, and who may benefit from one
- the journey from assessment to surgery and switch-on
- an introduction to programming, including how audiologists fine-tune a sound processor to each person’s hearing
Bringing a surgeon and an audiologist together in one session gave students both sides of the story, from what happens in theatre to what happens in the clinic afterwards.
Session two: choose your own adventure (October)
The second session was a case-based, “choose your own adventure” workshop on sudden and fluctuating hearing loss. Students worked through real-world cases step by step, deciding what to test, what the results meant, and when to refer, then saw how each decision shaped the patient’s outcome.
It’s a hands-on way to practise the kind of clinical reasoning that matters most in time-sensitive cases, where knowing when to involve an ENT surgeon can make a real difference.
Building future partnerships
Many of these students will go on to work in hearing clinics across Australia, and some will one day refer patients to us. Helping them understand when an implant or an ENT review might be needed means more patients get the right care sooner.
Our partnership with Macquarie University continues to grow, and in 2027 we’ll be supporting Master of Audiology students with research thesis projects.
Thank you to Macquarie University for having us, and to the students for their curiosity and great questions.
