Emeritus Professor Louise Hickson
Emeritus Professor

Louise Hickson

Email: 

Background

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

Louise Hickson, AM, is an Emeritus Professor of Audiology in the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences at The University of Queensland. She has published over 300 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. Louise is Chair of the Phonak Expert Circle on Family-Centred Hearing Care, is on the Executive Board of the International Society or Audiology and is a Fellow and Life Member 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. She is an Editor of the International Journal of Audiology amd in 2021 Emeritus Professor Hickson was Australia's Leading Researcher in the field of Audiology and Speech and Language Pathology. In 2022 she 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. Louise also provides advice to hearing service providers both in Australia and overseas and is committed to improving services for people with hearing difficulties.

Availability

Emeritus 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

Emeritus Professor Hickson AM 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 Kong, Korea, Iran, Germany and Sweden. She is committed to the transfer of knowledge into practice and has extensive professional links that facilitate this transfer.

Search Professor Louise Hickson’s works on UQ eSpace

328 works between 1986 and 2025
All (328) Journal Article (272) Book Chapter (19) Conference Publication (31) Book (5) Edited Outputs (1)

201 - 220 of 328 works

2009

Journal Article

Do people with aphasia receive written stroke and aphasia information?

Rose, Tanya A., Worrall, Linda E., McKenna, Kryss T., Hickson, Louise M. and Hoffmann, Tammy C. (2009). Do people with aphasia receive written stroke and aphasia information?. Aphasiology, 23 (3), 364-392. doi: 10.1080/02687030802568108

Do people with aphasia receive written stroke and aphasia information?

2009

Journal Article

Test-retest reliability of acoustic reflex test in 6-Week-Old healthy infants

Mazlan, R., Kei, J., Hickson, L., Curtain, S., Baker, G., Jarman, K., Glyde, H., Gavranich, J. and Linning, R. (2009). Test-retest reliability of acoustic reflex test in 6-Week-Old healthy infants. The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Audiology, 31 (1), 25-32.

Test-retest reliability of acoustic reflex test in 6-Week-Old healthy infants

2009

Journal Article

The ICF and third-party disability: Its application to spouses of older people with hearing impairment

Scarinci, N., Worrall, L. and Hickson, L. (2009). The ICF and third-party disability: Its application to spouses of older people with hearing impairment. Disability and Rehabilitation, 31 (25), 2088-2100. doi: 10.3109/09638280902927028

The ICF and third-party disability: Its application to spouses of older people with hearing impairment

2009

Edited Outputs

Hearing Care for Adults 2009 - The Challenge of Aging. Proceedings of the Second International Adult Conference

Louise Hickson ed. (2009). Hearing Care for Adults 2009 - The Challenge of Aging. Proceedings of the Second International Adult Conference. Second International Adult Conference, Chicago, United States, 16-18 November 2009. Staefa, Switzerland: Phonak.

Hearing Care for Adults 2009 - The Challenge of Aging. Proceedings of the Second International Adult Conference

2008

Journal Article

Environmental factors that influence communication between people with communication disability and their healthcare providers in hospital: a review of the literature within the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) fram

O'Halloran, Robyn, Hickson, Louise and Worrall, Linda (2008). Environmental factors that influence communication between people with communication disability and their healthcare providers in hospital: a review of the literature within the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) fram. International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders, 43 (6), 601-632. doi: 10.1080/13682820701861832

Environmental factors that influence communication between people with communication disability and their healthcare providers in hospital: a review of the literature within the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) fram

2008

Journal Article

Music Perception of Cochlear Implant Users Compared with that of Hearing Aid Users

Looi, V., McDermott, H., McKay, C. and Hickson, L. (2008). Music Perception of Cochlear Implant Users Compared with that of Hearing Aid Users. Ear and Hearing, 29 (3), 421-434. doi: 10.1097/AUD.0b013e31816a0d0b

Music Perception of Cochlear Implant Users Compared with that of Hearing Aid Users

2008

Journal Article

Observing people with aphasia: Environmental factors that influence their community participation

Howe, T., Worrall, L. and Hickson, L. (2008). Observing people with aphasia: Environmental factors that influence their community participation. Aphasiology, 22 (6), 618-643. doi: 10.1080/02687030701536024

Observing people with aphasia: Environmental factors that influence their community participation

2008

Journal Article

The effect of hearing impairment in older people on the spouse

Scarinci, N., Worrall, L. and Hickson, L. (2008). The effect of hearing impairment in older people on the spouse. International Journal of Audiology, 47 (3), 141-151. doi: 10.1080/14992020701689696

The effect of hearing impairment in older people on the spouse

2008

Journal Article

The use of the ICF in speech-language pathology research: Towards a research agenda

Worrall, L. and Hickson, L. (2008). The use of the ICF in speech-language pathology research: Towards a research agenda. International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 10 (1&2), 72-77. doi: 10.1080/17549500701852148

The use of the ICF in speech-language pathology research: Towards a research agenda

2008

Journal Article

Developing a traumatic brain injury index for social and vocational communication outcomes (SAVCO)

Larkins, B., Worrall, L. and Hickson, L. (2008). Developing a traumatic brain injury index for social and vocational communication outcomes (SAVCO). Brain Impairment, 9 (3), 247-266. doi: 10.1375/brim.9.3.247

Developing a traumatic brain injury index for social and vocational communication outcomes (SAVCO)

2008

Book Chapter

Comparing and contrasting views: Building a consensus around quality of life with aphasia

Cruice, M., Hill, R., Worrall, L. and Hickson, L. (2008). Comparing and contrasting views: Building a consensus around quality of life with aphasia. Language Disorders in Children and Adults: New Issues in Research and Practice. (pp. 98-121) edited by Joffe, V., Cruice, M. and Chiat, S.. London: John Wiley.

Comparing and contrasting views: Building a consensus around quality of life with aphasia

2008

Journal Article

Relationships between hearing disability, quality of life and wellbeing in older community-based Australians

Hickson, L., Allen, J., Beswick, R., Fulton, M., Wolf, D., Worrall, L. and Scarinci, N, (2008). Relationships between hearing disability, quality of life and wellbeing in older community-based Australians. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Audiology, 30 (2), 99-111. doi: 10.1375/audi.30.2.99

Relationships between hearing disability, quality of life and wellbeing in older community-based Australians

2008

Journal Article

Speech and language outcomes for children with hearing loss in auditory-verbal therapy programs: A review of the evidence

Dornan, D., Hickson, L., Murdoch, B. and Houston, T. (2008). Speech and language outcomes for children with hearing loss in auditory-verbal therapy programs: A review of the evidence. Communicative Disorders Review, 2 (3-4), 157-172.

Speech and language outcomes for children with hearing loss in auditory-verbal therapy programs: A review of the evidence

2008

Journal Article

Exploring the interactional dimension of social communication: A collective case study of older people with aphasia

Davidson, Bronwyn, Worrall, Linda and Hickson, Louise (2008). Exploring the interactional dimension of social communication: A collective case study of older people with aphasia. Aphasiology, 22 (3), 235-257. doi: 10.1080/02687030701268024

Exploring the interactional dimension of social communication: A collective case study of older people with aphasia

2008

Journal Article

Social participation for older people with aphasia: The impact of communication disability on friendships

Davidson, Bronwyn, Howe, Tami, Worrall, Linda and Hickson, Leanne (2008). Social participation for older people with aphasia: The impact of communication disability on friendships. Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation, 15 (4), 325-340. doi: 10.1310/tsr1504-325

Social participation for older people with aphasia: The impact of communication disability on friendships

2008

Journal Article

The effect of cochlear implantation on music perception by adults with usable pre-operative acoustic hearing

Looi, V., McDermott, H., McKay, C. and Hickson, L. (2008). The effect of cochlear implantation on music perception by adults with usable pre-operative acoustic hearing. International Journal of Audiology, 47 (5), 257-268. doi: 10.1080/14992020801955237

The effect of cochlear implantation on music perception by adults with usable pre-operative acoustic hearing

2007

Journal Article

High frequency immittance findings: Newborn versus six-week-old infants

Mazlan, Rafidah, Kei, Joseph, Hickson, Louise, Stapleton, Catherine, Grant, Stephanie, Lim, Sharyn, Linning, Ron and Gavranich, John (2007). High frequency immittance findings: Newborn versus six-week-old infants. International Journal of Audiology, 46 (11), 711-717. doi: 10.1080/14992020701525858

High frequency immittance findings: Newborn versus six-week-old infants

2007

Journal Article

Interviews with people with aphasia: Environmental factors that influence their community participation

Howe, Tami, Worrall, Linda and Hickson, Louise (2007). Interviews with people with aphasia: Environmental factors that influence their community participation. Aphasiology, 22 (10), 1-26. doi: 10.1080/02687030701640941

Interviews with people with aphasia: Environmental factors that influence their community participation

2007

Journal Article

Measuring Middle Ear Admittance in Newborns Using 1000 Hz Tympanometry: A Comparison of Methodologies

Kei, Joseph, Mazlan, Rafidah, Hickson, Louise, Gavranich, John and Linning, Ron (2007). Measuring Middle Ear Admittance in Newborns Using 1000 Hz Tympanometry: A Comparison of Methodologies. Journal of the American Academy of Audiology, 18 (9), 739-748. doi: 10.3766/jaaa.18.9.3

Measuring Middle Ear Admittance in Newborns Using 1000 Hz Tympanometry: A Comparison of Methodologies

2007

Journal Article

Development of a measure of communication activity for the acute hospital setting: Part 11 Item analysis, selection and reliability.

O'Halloran, R., Worrall, L. E., Hickson, L. M. H. and Code, C. (2007). Development of a measure of communication activity for the acute hospital setting: Part 11 Item analysis, selection and reliability.. Journal of medical speech language pathology, 15 (1), 51-66.

Development of a measure of communication activity for the acute hospital setting: Part 11 Item analysis, selection and reliability.

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
  • 2018 - 2025
    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
  • 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
    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

Emeritus Professor Louise Hickson is:
Available for supervision

Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.

Supervision history

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Emeritus 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

Need help?

For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au