Emeritus Professor Louise Hickson
Emeritus Professor

Louise Hickson

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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)

161 - 180 of 328 works

2012

Book Chapter

Evidence-based practice in audiology

Lena, Wong and Hickson, Louise (2012). Evidence-based practice in audiology. Evidence-based practice in rehabilitative audiology evaluating: interventions for children and adults with hearing impairment. (pp. 3-22) edited by Wong Lena and Hickson Louise. San Diego, CA, United States: Plural Publishing.

Evidence-based practice in audiology

2011

Journal Article

Medical practitioners' attitudes to hearing rehabilitation for older adults

Gilliver, Megan and Hickson, Louise (2011). Medical practitioners' attitudes to hearing rehabilitation for older adults. International Journal of Audiology, 50 (12), 850-856. doi: 10.3109/14992027.2011.601468

Medical practitioners' attitudes to hearing rehabilitation for older adults

2011

Journal Article

Management of hearing aid assembly by urban-dwelling hearing-impaired adults in a developed country: Implications for a self-fitting hearing aid.

Convery, Elizabeth, Keidser, Gitte, Hartley, Lisa, Caposecco, Andrea, Hickson, Louise and Meyer, Carly (2011). Management of hearing aid assembly by urban-dwelling hearing-impaired adults in a developed country: Implications for a self-fitting hearing aid.. Trends in Amplification, 15 (4), 196-208. doi: 10.1177/1084713811431694

Management of hearing aid assembly by urban-dwelling hearing-impaired adults in a developed country: Implications for a self-fitting hearing aid.

2011

Journal Article

Assembly and insertion of a self-fitting hearing aid: design of effective instruction materials

Caposecco, Andrea, Hickson, Louise and Meyer, Carly (2011). Assembly and insertion of a self-fitting hearing aid: design of effective instruction materials. Trends in Amplification, 15 (4), 184-195. doi: 10.1177/1084713811430837

Assembly and insertion of a self-fitting hearing aid: design of effective instruction materials

2011

Journal Article

Central auditory dysfunction associated with exposure to a mixture of solvents

Fuente, Adrian, McPherson, Bradley and Hickson, Louise (2011). Central auditory dysfunction associated with exposure to a mixture of solvents. International Journal of Audiology, 50 (12), 857-865. doi: 10.3109/14992027.2011.605805

Central auditory dysfunction associated with exposure to a mixture of solvents

2011

Journal Article

Investigation of the actions taken by adults who failed a telephone-based hearing screen

Meyer, Carly, Hickson, Louise, Khan, Asad, Hartley, David, Dillon, Harvey and Seymour, John (2011). Investigation of the actions taken by adults who failed a telephone-based hearing screen. Ear and Hearing, 32 (6), 720-731. doi: 10.1097/AUD.0b013e318220d973

Investigation of the actions taken by adults who failed a telephone-based hearing screen

2011

Journal Article

Predictors of rehabilitation intervention decisions in adults with acquired hearing impairment

Laplante-Levesque, Ariane, Hickson, Louise and Worrall, Linda (2011). Predictors of rehabilitation intervention decisions in adults with acquired hearing impairment. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 54 (5), 1385-1399. doi: 10.1044/1092-4388(2011/10-0116

Predictors of rehabilitation intervention decisions in adults with acquired hearing impairment

2011

Journal Article

Third-party disability in spouses of older people with hearing impairment

Scarinci, Nerina A., Hickson, Louise M. and Worrall, Linda E. (2011). Third-party disability in spouses of older people with hearing impairment. Perspectives on Aural Rehabilitation and its Instrumentation, 18 (1), 3-12. doi: 10.1044/arii18.1.3

Third-party disability in spouses of older people with hearing impairment

2011

Journal Article

Aphasia friendly written health information: Content and design characteristics

Rose,Tanya A., Worrall, Linda E., Hickson, Louise M. and Hoffmann, Tammy C. (2011). Aphasia friendly written health information: Content and design characteristics. International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 13 (4), 335-347. doi: 10.3109/17549507.2011.560396

Aphasia friendly written health information: Content and design characteristics

2011

Journal Article

Prognostic indicators in paediatric cochlear implant surgery: A systematic literature review

Black, Jane, Hickson, Louise, Black, Bruce and Perry, Chris (2011). Prognostic indicators in paediatric cochlear implant surgery: A systematic literature review. Cochlear Implants International, 12 (2), 67-93. doi: 10.1179/146701010X486417

Prognostic indicators in paediatric cochlear implant surgery: A systematic literature review

2011

Journal Article

Noise-induced hearing loss in Asia

Fuente, Adrian and Hickson, Louise (2011). Noise-induced hearing loss in Asia. International Journal of Audiology, 50 (S1), S3-S10. doi: 10.3109/14992027.2010.540584

Noise-induced hearing loss in Asia

2011

Journal Article

Problems hearing in noise in older adults: A review of spatial processing disorder

Glyde, Helen, Hickson, Louise, Cameron, Sharon and Dillon, Harvey (2011). Problems hearing in noise in older adults: A review of spatial processing disorder. Trends in Amplification, 15 (3), 116-126. doi: 10.1177/1084713811424885

Problems hearing in noise in older adults: A review of spatial processing disorder

2011

Journal Article

Environmental factors that influence communication between patients and their healthcare providers in acute hospital stroke units: An observational study

O'Halloran, Robyn, Worrall, Linda and Hickson, Louise (2011). Environmental factors that influence communication between patients and their healthcare providers in acute hospital stroke units: An observational study. International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders, 46 (1), 30-47. doi: 10.3109/13682821003660380

Environmental factors that influence communication between patients and their healthcare providers in acute hospital stroke units: An observational study

2011

Conference Publication

Factors influencing help-seeking for hearing impairment by older adults

Hickson, L. and Meyer, C. (2011). Factors influencing help-seeking for hearing impairment by older adults. 64th Annual Scientific Meeting 'Lifestyle - lifespan', Boston, MA, United States, 18-22 November 2011. Cary, NC, United States: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/geront/gns068

Factors influencing help-seeking for hearing impairment by older adults

2011

Journal Article

Reporting on psychological well-being of older adults with chronic aphasia in the context of unaffected peers

Cruice, Madeline, Worrall, Linda and Hickson, Louise (2011). Reporting on psychological well-being of older adults with chronic aphasia in the context of unaffected peers. Disability And Rehabilitation, 33 (3), 219-228. doi: 10.3109/09638288.2010.503835

Reporting on psychological well-being of older adults with chronic aphasia in the context of unaffected peers

2011

Journal Article

Exploring the use of graphics in written health information for people with aphasia

Rose, Tanya A., Worrall, Linda E., Hickson, Louise M. and Hoffmann, Tammy C. (2011). Exploring the use of graphics in written health information for people with aphasia. Aphasiology, 25 (12), 1579-1599. doi: 10.1080/02687038.2011.626845

Exploring the use of graphics in written health information for people with aphasia

2010

Journal Article

A qualitative study of shared decision making in rehabilitation audiology

Laplante-Lévesque, Adriane, Hickson, Louise and Worrall, Linda (2010). A qualitative study of shared decision making in rehabilitation audiology. Journal of the Academy of Rehabilitative Audiology, 43, 27-43.

A qualitative study of shared decision making in rehabilitation audiology

2010

Journal Article

Promoting the participation of adults with acquired hearing impairment in their rehabilitation

Hickson, Louise, Laplante-Levesque, Ariane and Worrall, Linda (2010). Promoting the participation of adults with acquired hearing impairment in their rehabilitation. Journal of the Academy of Rehabilitative Audiology, 43, 11-26.

Promoting the participation of adults with acquired hearing impairment in their rehabilitation

2010

Journal Article

Test-retest reproducibility of the 1000 Hz tympanometry test in newborn and six-week-old healthy infants

Mazlan, R, Kei, J, Hickson, L, Gavranich, J and Linning, R (2010). Test-retest reproducibility of the 1000 Hz tympanometry test in newborn and six-week-old healthy infants. International Journal of Audiology, 49 (11), 815-822. doi: 10.3109/14992027.2010.493182

Test-retest reproducibility of the 1000 Hz tympanometry test in newborn and six-week-old healthy infants

2010

Journal Article

Is auditory-verbal therapy effective for children with hearing loss?

Dornan, D, Hickson, L, Murdoch, B, Houston, T and Constantinescu, G (2010). Is auditory-verbal therapy effective for children with hearing loss?. Volta Review, 110 (3), 361-387. doi: 10.17955/tvr.110.3.658

Is auditory-verbal therapy effective for children with hearing loss?

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

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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

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