Inner Ear Secrets: An Audiology Podcast

Join your co-host Muhsina with special guests Nishita, Anuki and Bianca where they dive into their international placement experiences.

Come with your host Fletcher and very special guest Will, where they discuss his recent placement to India! Learn more about what is entailed in International placements and why you should take the leap and go on a trip like this. Thank you and enjoy a very entertaining episode!

We are back for Season 3 with your new hosts Muhsina and Fletcher!We dive in everything Audiology - like career pathways, study, placements and also we share a little bit into our own aspirations and journey to where we are today.

Hearing loss isn’t just a local issue — it’s a global one. Millions of people worldwide live without access to hearing checks, hearing aids, or even basic awareness of hearing health. When hearing loss goes untreated, the impact can last a lifetime.In this season finale, we sit down with Dr Chris Waterworth, an audiologist who has worked across remote Australia and international communities, to explore what hearing care looks like on a global stage.In this episode, we cover:How hearing care is delivered in resource-limited settingsThe barriers of access, stigma, and workforce shortagesThe power of collaboration across health disciplinesWhat it takes to build sustainable hearing programs(Chris introduced at 1:08)

Hearing loss and vision loss are often treated as separate issues. But when they occur together, the impact on daily life can be profound — from communication breakdowns to safety risks, dual sensory loss can affect independence, mental health, and overall quality of life.In this episode, we sit down with Lachlan Smith, a clinician who is both an audiologist and an optometrist, to explore the unique challenges and opportunities for care when hearing and vision loss combine.In this episode, we cover:How hearing and vision loss compound each other in older adultsWhy diabetes and other chronic conditions put patients at higher riskThe functional impacts on safety, independence, and social connectionPractical ways audiologists and optometrists can collaborate in careTips for communicating with patients who live with dual sensory loss(Guest introduction at 2:17)Whether you are an audiologist, an optometrist, a student, or simply passionate about ageing well, this episode offers insights into supporting older adults with complex sensory needs.Tune in now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube — and don’t miss the final episodes of Inner Ear Secrets Season 2!#InnerEarSecrets

Hearing and balance issues don’t exist in isolation. In complex adult cases, they can quietly shape a person’s safety, independence, and quality of life in ways that aren’t always obvious in clinic.In this episode, we sit down with Emily Calabro, an occupational therapist from the regional Gippsland adults community team, to explore how OTs support clients beyond traditional hearing care.In this episode, we cover:How OTs help clients manage everyday tasks at homeWhere hearing loss and balance fit into the OT scope of careWhen and why OTs refer clients to audiologyPractical strategies for audiologists and OTs to collaborate for better outcomes(Emily Calabro introduction at 2:24)Whether you are a student, new graduate, or experienced clinician, this episode offers a fresh perspective on hearing care that extends beyond the clinic walls.

Supporting a child’s communication is rarely a solo effort. In paediatric care, audiologists and speech pathologists often work side by side to make sure kids get the best possible start in life.In this episode, we sit down with Ana Lopez Flores, a paediatric speech pathologist, to explore where these two professions meet — and how collaboration shapes real-world outcomes for children and families.In this episode, we cover:Where audiology ends and speech pathology begins (and where they overlap)Why early intervention before age 3 is critical for language outcomesThe signs speech pathologists look for when referring children back to audiologyPractical ways audiologists and speech pathologists can collaborate for better results(Ana Lopez Flores introduction at 1:41)Whether you are an audiology student, speech pathology student, or clinician working with children, this episode offers valuable insights into the shared role of these professions in paediatric care.

Inner Ear Secrets Season 2 | Episode 4: Medical Considerations in Paediatric Hearing LossHearing loss in children is not always straightforward. Sometimes it is part of a much bigger story that can be linked to genetic syndromes, medical complexity, or early life risk factors such as NICU admission or exposure to ototoxic medications.In this episode, we speak with Dr Valerie Sung, paediatrician and childhood hearing loss expert, to explore what happens when audiology and medicine come together.In this episode, we cover:Syndromic and non-syndromic hearing lossKey risk factors to watch for in clinicRed flags that might signal deeper medical issuesHow doctors and audiologists can work together for earlier interventionReal life examples and practical insights for students and clinicians(Dr Valerie Sung introduction at 3:25)Whether you are an audiology student, paediatric clinician, or simply curious about childhood hearing loss, this episode offers essential insights for anyone working with children or interested in paediatric care.

Tinnitus is more than just a sound. It is a mental and emotional journey. For many people, it can lead to distress, anxiety, and a deep sense of disconnection.In this episode, we are joined by Associate Professor Margaret Osborne, clinical psychologist and convenor of the Master of Professional Psychology at the University of Melbourne, to explore the often overlooked psychological impact of tinnitus and hearing loss.In this episode, we cover:Why tinnitus can cause emotional distress, anxiety, and social withdrawalHow hearing loss can affect identity, self-esteem, and connectionPractical ways audiologists can support patients beyond the audiogramHow to recognise red flags and refer patients for mental health supportHow audiologists and psychologists can collaborate for better outcomesWhether you are an audiology student, clinician, or someone navigating tinnitus yourself, this episode offers empathy, insight, and tools to support whole person care.

In this episode of Inner Ear Secrets, we team up with Laura Power, principal vestibular physiotherapist and founder of The Vertigo Co, to explore the ultimate inner ear–brain–body mystery: balance.What we cover:1. Red flags clinicians should know2. What goes down in a vestibular assessment (think vHIT, VEMPs & more)3. How vestibular rehabilitation actually works4. Why audiologists + vestibular physios = balance dream team5. And finish with a rapid-fire round