Identification and Support of Tinnitus and Hyperacusis
Tinnitus is common and debilitating amongst help-seeking patients presenting to audiology clinics. So too, is Hyperacusis which develops in half of patients with bothersome tinnitus but is under identified and rarely supported in clinical practice. How can we as audiologists best support our patients with bothersome tinnitus and associated reduced sound tolerance? This clinically focused stream will explore tinnitus history-taking, education, counselling, support avenues and referral pathways. This stream will review and provide hands-on opportunity to explore tinnitus assessment and support tools including questionnaires, tinnitus apps, and tinnitus features available in current hearing aid technology. A review of hyperacusis identification and support will be included in this stream, including an overview of device options that can support desensitisation.
Learning Goals
- To gain an up-to-date understanding of the neurophysiological and neuropsychological underpinnings of tinnitus and hyperacusis
- To obtain a deeper understanding of the elements involved in a tinnitus consultation by an audiologist
- To obtain a deeper understanding of tinnitus and hyperacusis support options and referral pathways
- To gain specific practical skills with regards to tinnitus and hyperacusis assessment tools, history-taking, technology support options, and device options for patients.
Meet Philippa (Pip)
Philippa is an experienced audiologist who specialises in supporting patients of all ages with listening difficulties, tinnitus, and sound sensitivities. Philippa earned a Master of Clinical Audiology in 2012 from The University of Melbourne and a Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) from the University of Florida in 2017. Philippa spent the first four years of her audiology career at a small, independent audiology clinic in Hobart, Tasmania where she had the opportunity to practice a wide range of audiologic services including paediatric diagnostic audiology, auditory processing, adult aural rehabilitation, and ENT outpatient audiology at the Royal Hobart Hospital.
From 2017, Philippa resumed a research position based at The University of Melbourne where she worked with the global Phonak paediatric team and the Sonova HQ Research & Development team to develop a best practice clinical model for the identification and support of auditory differences in autistic children. Philippa continues to conduct clinical research at the department of Audiology & Speech Pathology at The University of Melbourne. She developed, and continues to run, a specialised autism listening clinic there which identifies and supports auditory concerns, including reduced sound tolerance conditions, in neurodivergent children and adults.
Philippa joined the DWM Audiology team in 2025 where her clinical work focuses on supporting patients to better understand and manage their tinnitus, hyperacusis and misophonia. Philippa trained under Myriam Westcott and as such, has developed a similar clinical approach which combines Tinnitus Retraining Therapy with Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and mindfulness psychological strategies.
Philippa is dedicated to shed a light on the poorly understood conditions of hyperacusis and misophonia through both her clinical practice and research. Philippa regularly presents her research and shares her clinical expertise at conferences, workshops and via podcasts.
PHILIPPA JAMES
Stream Lead
Meet Philippa (Pip)
Philippa is an experienced audiologist who specialises in supporting patients of all ages with listening difficulties, tinnitus, and sound sensitivities. Philippa earned a Master of Clinical Audiology in 2012 from The University of Melbourne and a Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) from the University of Florida in 2017. Philippa spent the first four years of her audiology career at a small, independent audiology clinic in Hobart, Tasmania where she had the opportunity to practice a wide range of audiologic services including paediatric diagnostic audiology, auditory processing, adult aural rehabilitation, and ENT outpatient audiology at the Royal Hobart Hospital.
From 2017, Philippa resumed a research position based at The University of Melbourne where she worked with the global Phonak paediatric team and the Sonova HQ Research & Development team to develop a best practice clinical model for the identification and support of auditory differences in autistic children. Philippa continues to conduct clinical research at the department of Audiology & Speech Pathology at The University of Melbourne. She developed, and continues to run, a specialised autism listening clinic there which identifies and supports auditory concerns, including reduced sound tolerance conditions, in neurodivergent children and adults.
Philippa joined the DWM Audiology team in 2025 where her clinical work focuses on supporting patients to better understand and manage their tinnitus, hyperacusis and misophonia. Philippa trained under Myriam Westcott and as such, has developed a similar clinical approach which combines Tinnitus Retraining Therapy with Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and mindfulness psychological strategies.
Philippa is dedicated to shed a light on the poorly understood conditions of hyperacusis and misophonia through both her clinical practice and research. Philippa regularly presents her research and shares her clinical expertise at conferences, workshops and via podcasts.
Melbourne Hearing Care Clinic & DWM Audiology