The Psychoaudiology Podcast

Noise isn’t the only occupational threat to hearing. In this episode, Associate Professor Adrian Fuente discusses the ototoxic effects of organic solvents and other workplace chemicals, and why audiologists should be paying closer attention to this. We explore how solvents reach the cochlea via inhalation, their synergistic interaction with noise, and growing evidence of central auditory processin...

During Tinnitus Awareness Week, I sat down with a patient who has lived with bilateral tinnitus for 17 years. In this interview, she shares what tinnitus really sounds like, from high-pitched ringing to Morse-code rhythms, and what triggers it, and what she wishes healthcare professionals had told her sooner. This episode sheds light on the lived experience of tinnitus and highlights the importanc...

Alzheimer’s disease remains one of the hardest conditions to treat, with most therapies offering only modest benefit. In this episode, I explores a fascinating new study published in Brain Communications that investigates whether low-intensity focused ultrasound can safely modulate brain activity in people with Alzheimer’s disease. This episode breaks down why ultrasound may be more promising than...

Hearing care is undergoing a quiet shift from treating hearing loss to optimising how we listen. In this short episode of the Psychoaudiology Podcast , Priscilla explores how consumer technology like AirPods is blurring the line between everyday audio and hearing support, what this means for stigma, and how innovations such as Auracast are changing the listening demands of public spaces. Rather th...

In this episode of the Psychoaudiology Podcast , Priscilla is joined by Cynthia Chan , an experienced speech and language therapist with training in both speech therapy and audiology. They explore the overlap between hearing, listening, language, and processing — and why being able to hear doesn’t always mean being able to understand . Together, they discuss listening fatigue, auditory processing...

In this personal episode of the Psychoaudiology Podcast , I sit down with my mum to talk through her sudden sensorineural hearing loss in 2018 — an event that reshaped her understanding of her ears and her balance. She shares the confusion of those early hours, the critical role of her vestibular system, and the emotional impact of losing hearing without warning. We also explore the links she drew...

In this episode of The Psychoaudiology Podcast , I speak with one of the true pioneers of modern audiology — Professor Harvey Dillon . Originally an engineer who “stumbled” into the world of hearing science, Professor Dillon went on to spend over 40 years at the National Acoustic Laboratory, shaping how we understand and fit hearing aids. But in the later part of his career, he has turned his atte...

Imagine if the ear could repair itself — restoring hearing that’s been lost to age or noise. In this episode of the Psychoaudiology Podcast , I explore a new drug trial that tried to do just that by regenerating hair cells, the tiny microphones of the inner ear. We’ll look at how the drug was delivered, what the results showed, and what this could mean for the future of hearing loss treatment.

In this episode of The Psychoaudiology Podcast , presented in partnership with the International Society of Audiology, we sit down with Dr. Philippa James, an audiologist whose work focuses on supporting neurodivergent people with auditory challenges. Together, we explore the world of reduced sound tolerance and misophonia, unpacking how everyday sonic environments can profoundly shape our emotion...

What if the right technology could transform how a child with autism hears, learns, and connects? In this episode of the Psychoaudiology Podcast , I speak with Professor Erin Schafer, a leading researcher in auditory interventions, about how remote microphone devices can dramatically improve listening in noisy environments. She explains how these tools help children with autism process sound more...

What if the sound of a classroom could shape how well students learn, behave, and even how teachers teach? In this episode of the Psychoaudiology Podcast , Priscilla sits down with Dr. Kiri Mealings , researcher and creator of the Listen to Learn for Life program, to explore how classroom acoustics influence listening, learning, and wellbeing. We dive into her reviews showing how poor acoustics ca...

In this episode of The Psychoaudiology Podcast , audiologist and national hearing loop advocate Juliette Sterkens joins us to talk about one of the most overlooked aspects of hearing aid technology — what happens after you fit the hearing aids. We explore: Why hearing aids don’t restore normal hearing The everyday challenges of hearing in noisy environments How hearing loops dramatically improve c...

In this episode, Priscilla sits down with Associate Professor Wayne Wilson from the University of Queensland. A leading expert in paediatric auditory processing, Dr. Wilson shares his journey through the evolving landscape of audiology and the complex challenge of defining auditory processing disorder (APD). Together, we explore the growing pains of audiology as a still-maturing profession, and wh...

Struggling to hear but all your hearing tests come out fine? Tune in to The Psychoaudiology Podcast as host Priscilla Leigh interviews Dr. Cristina Murphy, paediatric audiologist and auditory processing disorder (APD) expert. Discover why APD, a complex condition involving speech, language, and neuroscience, often goes undiagnosed when hearing test reveals normal hearing. Dr. Murphy unpacks the co...

Dive into what a complement to audiology auricular acupuncture can be on The Psychoaudiology Podcast! Host Priscilla Leigh interviews Siwan Quinn-Bratton, director of The College of Auricular Acupuncture , exploring its discovery and how ear points mirror an inverted foetus, guiding healing across the body. Far from mere poetry, this practice blends Chinese medicine with evidence-based practice, a...

Join us for Episode 4 of the Psychoaudiology Podcast , in collaboration with the International Society of Audiology! Host Priscilla Leigh interviews Professor Louise Hickson, diving into the profoundly relational power of hearing and its impact on our quality of life. Explore Louise’s groundbreaking work tackling the stigma of hearing loss, her family-centered care approach, and how our environmen...

Tune into Episode 3 of the Psychoaudiology Podcast , in collaboration with the International Society of Audiology! Host Priscilla Leigh sits down with Dr. Henry Mahncke, CEO of Posit Science, to explore the revolutionary world of auditory brain plasticity. Learn how this phenomenon was discovered by Posit Science co-founder Michael Merzenich following the first (pretty rudimentary!) cochlear impla...

Join us for the second episode of the Psychoaudiology Podcast with host Priscilla Leigh, where we explore the fascinating intersection of the auditory system, mind, and behaviour. This time, we’re thrilled to feature Dr. Nina Kraus from Northwestern University, a global leader in auditory neuroscience. Dr. Kraus shares groundbreaking insights from her research and brilliant book "Of Sound Min...

Kick off the Psychoaudiology Podcast with a powerful episode featuring Astrid van Wieringen, president of the International Society of Audiology! In this collaboration with the ISA, Astrid dives into why owning your hearing health is a game-changer for keeping your mind sharp. Discover the importance of staying informed about your hearing and explore cutting-edge solutions to boost cognitive vital...

In this episode of the Psychoaudiology Podcast , I am joined by Christina Mithra – clinical lead at Communitas Clinics, advanced audiologist at Barts Hospital in London, and audiologist of nearly 20 years. Christina shares her journey from a “1 + 1 = 2” science-focused graduate to a clinician who sees patients as whole humans rather than just test results. Together, we explore what it really means...