Professor Louise Hickson
Professor

Louise Hickson

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 344 33577

Background

hearing impairment, hearing loss, hearing rehabilitation, evidence-based practice, family-centred hearing care

Louise Hickson, AM, is Professor of Audiology and Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences at The University of Queensland. Professor Hickson has published over 280 research articles, books and book chapters with her main focus on the effects of hearing loss on people's everyday lives and the development of strategies and interventions that improve the uptake and outcomes of hearing rehabilitation. Her most recent book published in 2019 is "Patient and Family-Centered Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology: A Practical Guide for Students". Professor Hickson is President of the International Society or Audiology and a Fellow and Past President of Audiology Australia. She has received numerous awards recognising her contributions to audiology, including the international research award from the American Academy of Audiology, The University of Queensland Leadership Award and a Lifetime Achievement Award from Hearing Australia. In 2021 Professor Hickson was Australia's Leading Researcher in the field of Audiology and Speech and Language Pathology and in 2022 became a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to tertiary education and audiology associations. She is a sought after speaker and regularly presents at conferences and meetings around the world. She also provides advice to hearing rehabilitation service providers both in Australia and overseas and is committed to improving services for people with hearing difficulties.

Availability

Professor Louise Hickson is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Aged health care Allied health and rehabilitation science Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Clinical sciences Health Sciences

Qualifications

  • Bachelor (Honours), The University of Queensland
  • Masters (Coursework), The University of Queensland
  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland

Research interests

  • Effects of hearing impairment on the lives of older adults and the rehabilitation of older people with hearing impairment.

    Professor Hickson is recognized internationally as a leader in audiology. Her major research themes are age-related hearing impairment, the associated effects of that impairment on the communication abilities and quality of life of older adults, and the efficacy of different forms of intervention (e.g., hearing aid fitting, communication education) with this population. To a lesser extent, evaluating the efficacy of audiological interventions for children. In collaboration with Dr Adrian Fuente, she has expanded her research work to include hearing impairment acquired by noise and solvent exposure. Examples of her profile and impact are invitations to speak at 3-4 national and international conferences each year, her editorship of the International Journal of Audiology, her roles as research representative on the Federal Minister for Health and Ageing’s Hearing Services Consultancy Committee, and Australasian representative on the WHO Steering Committee on Hearing.

Research impacts

Professor Hickson is a world leader in hearing rehabilitation research and her work has changed practice in Australia and overseas. For example, the Active Communication Education (ACE) program that she developed and evaluated has been used in many countries around the world including Australia, the UK, the USA, Canada, Chile, Hong Kon, Korea, Iran, Germany and Sweden. She is committed to the transfer of knowledge into practice and has extensive professional links that facilitate this transfer. For example, she is the Leader of Phonak's international Family-Centred Care Expert Panel, an Editor of the International Journal of Audiology and President of the International Society of Audiology.

Search Professor Louise Hickson’s works on UQ eSpace

318 works between 1986 and 2024
All (318) Journal Article (263) Book Chapter (18) Conference Publication (31) Book (5) Edited Outputs (1)

1 - 20 of 318 works

2024

Journal Article

Developing strategies to improve accessibility of hearing health services for people from diverse ethnic communities in Australia: Research Protocol

Dawes, Piers, Nickbakht, Mansoureh, Scarinci, Nerina, Newall, John, Furze, Cailyn, Nisar, Mehwish, Timmer, Barbra, Ching, Teresa Y. C., Harris-Roxas, Benjamin, Scanlan, Emma, Van Buynder, Patricia, Waite, Monique, Orlando, Marc, Kruger, Jan-Louis, Ekberg, Katie, Dib, Mayada, Ginis, Jan, Barr, Margo, Armitage, Christopher J. and Hickson, Louise (2024). Developing strategies to improve accessibility of hearing health services for people from diverse ethnic communities in Australia: Research Protocol. Figshare. doi: 10.6084/m9.figshare.26499952.v1

Developing strategies to improve accessibility of hearing health services for people from diverse ethnic communities in Australia: Research Protocol

2024

Journal Article

The experience of stigma related to hearing loss and hearing aids: perspectives of adults with hearing loss, their families, and hearing care professionals

Nickbakht, Mansoureh, Ekberg, Katie, Waite, Monique, Scarinci, Nerina, Timmer, Barbra, Meyer, Carly and Hickson, Louise (2024). The experience of stigma related to hearing loss and hearing aids: perspectives of adults with hearing loss, their families, and hearing care professionals. International Journal of Audiology, 1-8. doi: 10.1080/14992027.2024.2353862

The experience of stigma related to hearing loss and hearing aids: perspectives of adults with hearing loss, their families, and hearing care professionals

2024

Conference Publication

Evaluating the ecological validity of spatial hearing

Akeroyd, M., Hickson, L., Holube, I., Keidser, G., Naylor, G. and Smeds, K. (2024). Evaluating the ecological validity of spatial hearing. Turin, Italy: European Acoustics Association. doi: 10.61782/fa.2023.0457

Evaluating the ecological validity of spatial hearing

2024

Journal Article

Social-emotional well-being and adult hearing loss: clinical recommendations

Timmer, Barbra H. B., Bennett, Rebecca J., Montano, Joseph, Hickson, Louise, Weinstein, Barbara, Wild, Jane, Ferguson, Melanie, Holman, Jack A., LeBeau, Valeri and Dyre, Lisa (2024). Social-emotional well-being and adult hearing loss: clinical recommendations. International Journal of Audiology, 63 (6), 381-392. doi: 10.1080/14992027.2023.2190864

Social-emotional well-being and adult hearing loss: clinical recommendations

2023

Journal Article

To tell or not to tell? Exploring the social process of stigma for adults with hearing loss and their families: introduction to the special issue

Ekberg, Katie and Hickson, Louise (2023). To tell or not to tell? Exploring the social process of stigma for adults with hearing loss and their families: introduction to the special issue. International Journal of Audiology, 1-11. doi: 10.1080/14992027.2023.2293651

To tell or not to tell? Exploring the social process of stigma for adults with hearing loss and their families: introduction to the special issue

2023

Journal Article

Developing a prototype web-based decision aid for adults with hearing loss

Hickson, Louise, Nickbakht, Mansoureh, Timmer, Barbra H. B. and Dawes, Piers (2023). Developing a prototype web-based decision aid for adults with hearing loss. International Journal of Audiology, 63 (10), 1-8. doi: 10.1080/14992027.2023.2279024

Developing a prototype web-based decision aid for adults with hearing loss

2023

Conference Publication

Hearing and balance in adults with hearing impairment

Hickson, L., Brauer, S., Timmer, B. H. B. and Wilson, W. J. (2023). Hearing and balance in adults with hearing impairment. AudA 2023 Conference: the 26th National Conference of Audiology Australia, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia, 7-10 May 2023.

Hearing and balance in adults with hearing impairment

2023

Conference Publication

Hearing aids and balance in adults with hearing impairment

Mahafza, Marina Tareq, Wilson, Wayne J., Timmer, Barbra H.B., Brauer, Sandra and Hickson, Louise (2023). Hearing aids and balance in adults with hearing impairment. The 26th National Conference of Audiology Australia, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia, 7-10 May 2023.

Hearing aids and balance in adults with hearing impairment

2023

Conference Publication

Improving access to the hearing services program for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds

Dawes, P., Scarinci, N., Newall, J., Nickbakht, M., Hickson, L., Ching, T., Armitage, C., Waite, M., Orlando, M. and Harris-Roxas, B. (2023). Improving access to the hearing services program for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Audiology Australia National Conference, Gold Coast, QLD Australia, 7-10 May 2023.

Improving access to the hearing services program for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds

2023

Conference Publication

Understanding the real-world stigma experiences of adults with hearing loss

Timmer, B.H.B., Ekberg, K., Scarinci, N., Waite, M., Meyer, C., Nickbakht, M. and Hickson, L. (2023). Understanding the real-world stigma experiences of adults with hearing loss. Audiology Australia National Conference, Gold Coast, QLD Australia, 7-10 May 2023.

Understanding the real-world stigma experiences of adults with hearing loss

2023

Conference Publication

Teleaudiology vs in-clinic hearing aid follow up appointments: is there a difference in outcomes for adult clients?

Timmer, B.H.B., Waite, M. and Hickson, L. (2023). Teleaudiology vs in-clinic hearing aid follow up appointments: is there a difference in outcomes for adult clients?. Audiology Australia National Conference, Gold Coast, QLD Australia, 7-10 May 2023.

Teleaudiology vs in-clinic hearing aid follow up appointments: is there a difference in outcomes for adult clients?

2022

Journal Article

Implementation science challenges: hearing care professionals identify barriers to clinical research

Meyer, Carly, Scarinci, Nerina, Lind, Christopher, Tulloch, Kristen, Atkins, Jenny and Hickson, Louise (2022). Implementation science challenges: hearing care professionals identify barriers to clinical research. International Journal of Audiology, 63 (1), 1-6. doi: 10.1080/14992027.2022.2142162

Implementation science challenges: hearing care professionals identify barriers to clinical research

2022

Journal Article

A qualitative investigation of clients, significant others, and clinicians’ experiences of using wireless microphone systems to manage hearing impairment

Scarinci, Nerina, Nickbakht, Mansoureh, Timmer, Barbra H., Ekberg, Katie, Cheng, Bonnie and Hickson, Louise (2022). A qualitative investigation of clients, significant others, and clinicians’ experiences of using wireless microphone systems to manage hearing impairment. Audiology Research, 12 (6), 596-619. doi: 10.3390/audiolres12060059

A qualitative investigation of clients, significant others, and clinicians’ experiences of using wireless microphone systems to manage hearing impairment

2022

Journal Article

Barriers to hearing aid adoption among older adults in mainland China

Zheng, Huili, Wong, Lena L. N. and Hickson, Louise (2022). Barriers to hearing aid adoption among older adults in mainland China. International Journal of Audiology, 62 (9), 1-12. doi: 10.1080/14992027.2022.2105263

Barriers to hearing aid adoption among older adults in mainland China

2022

Journal Article

Evaluation of a teleaudiology service in regional Australia

Winter, Natalie, McMillan, Katie, Finch, Jennifer, da Silva, David, Whitehead, Andrea, Harvey, Desley, McBride, Liza-Jane, Hickson, Louise, Theodoros, Deborah and Russell, Trevor (2022). Evaluation of a teleaudiology service in regional Australia. International Journal of Audiology, 62 (10), 964-972. doi: 10.1080/14992027.2022.2108913

Evaluation of a teleaudiology service in regional Australia

2022

Journal Article

Improving the implementation of family-centred care in adult audiology appointments: a feasibility intervention study

Ekberg, Katie, Timmer, Barbra H., Francis, Anna and Hickson, Louise (2022). Improving the implementation of family-centred care in adult audiology appointments: a feasibility intervention study. International Journal of Audiology, 62 (9), 1-13. doi: 10.1080/14992027.2022.2095536

Improving the implementation of family-centred care in adult audiology appointments: a feasibility intervention study

2022

Journal Article

Clinicians' and managers' views and experiences of audiology and speech-language pathology service provision for culturally and linguistically diverse families of young children with hearing loss

Ng, Zheng Yen, Waite, Monique, Ekberg, Katie and Hickson, Louise (2022). Clinicians' and managers' views and experiences of audiology and speech-language pathology service provision for culturally and linguistically diverse families of young children with hearing loss. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 65 (7), 1-18. doi: 10.1044/2022_jslhr-21-00378

Clinicians' and managers' views and experiences of audiology and speech-language pathology service provision for culturally and linguistically diverse families of young children with hearing loss

2022

Journal Article

Defining a patient-centred core outcome domain set for the assessment of hearing rehabilitation with clients and professionals

Allen, David, Hickson, Louise and Ferguson, Melanie (2022). Defining a patient-centred core outcome domain set for the assessment of hearing rehabilitation with clients and professionals. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 16 787607, 1-16. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2022.787607

Defining a patient-centred core outcome domain set for the assessment of hearing rehabilitation with clients and professionals

2022

Conference Publication

Capturing the stigma experiences of adults with hearing impairment, their family members and hearing care professionals

Timmer, B.H.B., Hickson, L., Ekberg, K., Scarinci, N., Meyer, C., Waite, M., Francis, A. and Nickbakht, M. (2022). Capturing the stigma experiences of adults with hearing impairment, their family members and hearing care professionals. ACAud National Conference, Melbourne, VIC Australia, 19-21 May 2022.

Capturing the stigma experiences of adults with hearing impairment, their family members and hearing care professionals

2022

Conference Publication

To tell or not to tell? The stigma experiences of adults with hearing impairment and their families

Timmer, Barbra H.B., Hickson, Louise, Ekberg, Katie, Scarinci, Nerina, Meyer, Carly, Waite, Monique and Nickbakht, Mansoureh (2022). To tell or not to tell? The stigma experiences of adults with hearing impairment and their families. Hearing Across the Lifespan (HEAL), Cernobbio (Lake Como), Italy, 16-18 June 2022.

To tell or not to tell? The stigma experiences of adults with hearing impairment and their families

Current funding

  • 2023 - 2026
    Improving the psychosocial and emotional well-being of adults with hearing loss through co-designed evidence-based services: ACE2.0
    NHMRC Targeted Research
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2026
    Improving access to the hearing services program for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
    NHMRC Targeted Research
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2027
    Unspoken, Unheard, Unmet: Improving Access to Preventative Health Care through Better Conversations about Care
    NHMRC MRFF Dementia, Ageing and Aged Care Mission
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2025
    Hearing, social connectedness, and well-being of ageing adults in Australia
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2026
    Adults with mild hearing impairment: Challenges and predictors of successful hearing aid fitting outcomes
    Sonova AG
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2022
    Develop a HSP Service Pathway and Decision Support Tool
    Commonwealth Department of Health
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2022
    To tell or not to tell? The stigma experiences of adults with hearing impairment and their families
    GN Hearing Care Corporation
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2024
    The effect of individualised, vibrotactile neurofeedback training on postural stability in older adults with hearing impairment: a randomised double-blind, placebo-controlled multicentre trial
    Sonova AG
    Open grant
  • 2018
    Establishing a Sonova-UQ Hearing and Balance Research Centre
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2019
    Feasibility of a RCT of the Active Communication Education (ACE) programme plus hearing aid provision versus hearing aid provision alone
    Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2018
    Family-centred care in paediatric hearing rehabilitation programs: How is it being implemented in day to day practice?
    Deafness Foundation (Victoria)
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2019
    Improving rehabilitation outcomes for adults with hearing impairment and their family members: A family-centred care approach
    Flinders University
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2016
    Improving the health and well-being of serving and ex-serving Australian Defence Force members with hearing loss and their families: A family-centred care approach
    DHF Establishment Grants
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2019
    Enabling equal access using e-health
    HEARing CRC
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2015
    Validation of the Phonak Support App for Hearing Aid Management and Trouble-Shooting
    UniQuest Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2021
    The Communication Research Registry
    Speech Pathology Australia
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2016
    Occupational hearing loss induced by solvents and noise: development of new strategies for hearing loss prevention programs in the workplace
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2012
    The Communication Disability Registry: expanding research opportunities.
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2014
    Overcoming barriers to hearing rehabilitation in adults
    HEARing CRC
    Open grant
  • 2003 - 2006
    Staff communication in aged care facilities: a key factor in delivering resident-focused care
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2002 - 2005
    Evaluating the active communication education program for older people with hearing impairment
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2000 - 2001
    An evaluation of feasibility and effectiveness of an intervention that promotes residents' participation in decision-making and life roles
    Blue Care
    Open grant
  • 1997
    A comparison of the everyday communication of healthy older people and older people with aphisia
    University of Queensland New Staff Research Grant
    Open grant
  • 1997 - 1998
    Multichannel compression amplification in hearing aids: optimizing speech perception
    NHMRC Project - Special Initiative Grant
    Open grant
  • 1995 - 1996
    Communication impairment, disability and handicap in the ethnic aged
    PHRDC - Project Grants
    Open grant

Availability

Professor Louise Hickson is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Professor Louise Hickson directly for media enquiries about:

  • Aged care facilties
  • Ageing - hearing changes
  • Audiological Rehabilitation
  • Audiology
  • Communication and deafness
  • Deafness
  • Hearing - changes with ageing
  • Hearing aid technology
  • Hearing loss
  • Nursing homes
  • Older people - hearing loss
  • Rehabilitation
  • Seniors - hearing changes
  • Sensory loss
  • Sight - loss of
  • Technology - audiology
  • Vision - loss in the aged

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