Sydney Connect & Learn

The Sydney Connect & Learn event will be held live in-person at Sydney Masonic Centre on Friday 21 August 2026 from 1:30–5 PM.

This 3.5-hour event will explore the latest in hearing implants, including cochlear implants and bone conduction systems.

Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of current developments, considerations and approaches to hearing implants, that supports clinical decision-making, encourages peer discussion, and offers practical insights for everyday practice.


Each event includes a relaxed afternoon tea, offering time to connect with fellow attendees and chat with exhibitors.

Registration Fees

Register Now!

Registrations include:

Access to 3 hours of sessions

Access to the exhibition

Afternoon tea

Attendees will be eligible to receive 3 CPD Points in Category 1.1

Please click here to view the cancellation and refund policy.

Registration

Registrations close on 14 August at 5 PM AEST

Member

$75

Non -Member

$90

Program

Overview

1:30–1:35 PM 

Welcome and Introduction

1:35–2:10 PM 

Hearing Implants: Referral Pathways and Service Considerations

Presented by Paula Berkley

This presentation explores contemporary cochlear implant referral pathways, candidacy considerations, and service delivery models for hearing healthcare professionals. It reviews international consensus recommendations and emerging

Australia-New Zealand guidelines, highlighting the importance of early referral and evidence-informed practice. Key topics include barriers to cochlear implant uptake, the impact of hearing loss on quality of life, the 60/70 referral guideline, expanding candidacy criteria, and hearing implant options including cochlear and bone conduction devices. Through case studies and shared-care principles, the session emphasises collaborative, patient-centred decision-making and timely referral to improve access, outcomes, communication, and participation for adults with hearing loss.

2:10–3 PM 

Comprehensive Auditory Rehabilitation Models of Care for Adult Cochlear Implant Recipients

Presented by Dr Sharon Hurt

The Global and ANZ Living Guidelines provide a consistent standard of hearing care for adults with cochlear implants (CI), supporting improved services and person-centred outcomes.

This presentation explores a practical approach to auditory rehabilitation, informed by these guidelines and international research into CI user experiences and satisfaction. Implemented at NextSense, the framework offers a range of rehabilitation services to help audiologists identify and support adults who may not be achieving expected outcomes. Through a client journey, the presentation highlights different rehabilitation pathways and shows how coordinated, evidence-based care can help people get the most from their cochlear implant.

3–3:10 PM 

Supporting Patients Beyond Hearing Aids: Tools and Resources for Implantable Hearing

Solution Referrals

Presented by Sara McLachlan

This presentation aims to equip hearing professionals with practical resources to support patients who continue to experience listening challenges despite appropriately fitted hearing aids. Attendees will learn about the Cochlear Engagement Team, Cochlear Buddies Program, CI and BCI

candidate events, and referral support tools designed to facilitate informed conversations and timely referral pathways.

3:10–3:40 PM 

Afternoon Tea

3:40–4:40 PM 

Sound Advice: Cochlear Implant Outcomes and Governance

Presented by Clinical Prof Catherine Birman

This session will explore:

  • Multidisciplinary care and review of outcomes
  • Outcomes inform indications
  • What does good outcomes look like?
  • How do you know a cochlear implant patient is optimally managed?
  • Outcomes in:
  • Adults with different preoperative hearing levels, at different ages
  • Different anatomy 
  • Ménière’s disease
  • Hearing loss and cognitive decline
  • Outcomes inform consent

4:40–4:50 PM 

Bimodal and Binaural Hearing with Bone Anchored Hearing Systems (BAHS)

Presented by Zlindt See

If a patient has bilateral conductive hearing loss, will they benefit from bilateral bone conduction devices? Will a bimodal fitting with a hearing aid in conjunction with BAHS give additional benefits to the patient? What should be considered when working with asymmetrical bone conduction thresholds and BAHS? Hear about how you can utilise BAHS evidence to counsel and recommend BAHS for your patients.


4:50–5 PM 

A Professional Singer's Journey with Single-Sided Deafness and Cochlear Implantation

Presented by Diana Chan & Kathryn Zerk

Single-sided deafness can significantly impact communication, listening confidence, and quality of life, particularly for those whose careers rely on highly skilled listening. In this recipient-focused session, professional opera singer Kathryn Zerk shares her experience of living with single-sided deafness, her decision-making journey towards cochlear implantation, and the rehabilitation process that followed. Kathryn reflects on the changes she has experienced in everyday listening, sound localisation, and music appreciation, offering audiologists a unique patient perspective on the real-world benefits and challenges of cochlear implantation for single-sided deafness.

Meet The Speakers

Meet Paula

Paula Berkley is a Clinical Audiologist, Team Lead and Cochlear Implant Services Lead at NextSense where she has worked for the last 21 years supporting clients of all ages through their cochlear implant journey. Prior to this, Paula worked as a Specialist Audiologist at Hearing Australia.

The focus of her career continues to be advocating for children and adolescents who are deaf or hard of hearing of all ages to access the best support, advice, technologies, and opportunities to enhance their lives and the lives of those closest to them. Through her leadership roles her focus is to ensure quality and consistency of clinical evidence-informed practice and service delivery to drive optimal clinical outcomes and client experience.

PAULA BERKLEY

NextSense

Meet Paula

Paula Berkley is a Clinical Audiologist, Team Lead and Cochlear Implant Services Lead at NextSense where she has worked for the last 21 years supporting clients of all ages through their cochlear implant journey. Prior to this, Paula worked as a Specialist Audiologist at Hearing Australia.

The focus of her career continues to be advocating for children and adolescents who are deaf or hard of hearing of all ages to access the best support, advice, technologies, and opportunities to enhance their lives and the lives of those closest to them. Through her leadership roles her focus is to ensure quality and consistency of clinical evidence-informed practice and service delivery to drive optimal clinical outcomes and client experience.

Meet Catherine

Clinical Professor Catherine Birman is one of the most experienced cochlear implant surgeons in the world, having performed over 2000 cochlear implant procedures for children and adults from three months to well over 90 years. Catherine is a pioneer in the field of cochlear implants, particularly for children with complex medical conditions, and paediatric and adult outcomes.

As an invited speaker both nationally and internationally, Catherine has participated in a number of grants and clinical trials. She is an Honorary Clinical Professor at Macquarie University and a Clinical Professor with Sydney University. Her current research involves optimising cochlear implant outcomes and clinical trials of novel therapies.

CLINICAL PROF CATHERINE BIRMAN

The University of Sydney and Macquarie University

Meet Catherine

Clinical Professor Catherine Birman is one of the most experienced cochlear implant surgeons in the world, having performed over 2000 cochlear implant procedures for children and adults from three months to well over 90 years. Catherine is a pioneer in the field of cochlear implants, particularly for children with complex medical conditions, and paediatric and adult outcomes.

As an invited speaker both nationally and internationally, Catherine has participated in a number of grants and clinical trials. She is an Honorary Clinical Professor at Macquarie University and a Clinical Professor with Sydney University. Her current research involves optimising cochlear implant outcomes and clinical trials of novel therapies.

Meet Diana

Diana Chan is an accredited audiologist with over 15 years’ experience in diagnostic and rehabilitative audiological settings. Since joining MEDEL in 2018, she provides exceptional clinical & surgical support to MEDEL’s hearing partners. She also plays a pivotal role in developing and presenting educational materials to the broader Australian audiology community via in-person trainings, webinars, and conferences. With her role as Clinical Manager for MED-EL Australasia, she is committed to promote best practice through tailored patient-centered care.

Meet Diana

Diana Chan is an accredited audiologist with over 15 years’ experience in diagnostic and rehabilitative audiological settings. Since joining MEDEL in 2018, she provides exceptional clinical & surgical support to MEDEL’s hearing partners. She also plays a pivotal role in developing and presenting educational materials to the broader Australian audiology community via in-person trainings, webinars, and conferences. With her role as Clinical Manager for MED-EL Australasia, she is committed to promote best practice through tailored patient-centered care.

Meet Sharon

Dr Sharon Hurt is a Speech Pathologist and Audiologist with more than 30 years' experience, including over 20 years specialising in hearing loss across

South Africa, the UK and Australia. She currently works at NextSense, a not-for-profit organisation supporting people who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind or have low vision.

Sharon has extensive experience in early intervention and cochlear implant (re)habilitation for children, adolescents and adults, delivering person- and family-centred services. As Service Quality Lead for speech pathology services at NextSense, she supports clinical excellence through service development, quality improvement initiatives, staff training, onboarding and research to promote best practice.

Meet Sharon

Dr Sharon Hurt is a Speech Pathologist and Audiologist with more than 30 years' experience, including over 20 years specialising in hearing loss across

South Africa, the UK and Australia. She currently works at NextSense, a not-for-profit organisation supporting people who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind or have low vision.

Sharon has extensive experience in early intervention and cochlear implant (re)habilitation for children, adolescents and adults, delivering person- and family-centred services. As Service Quality Lead for speech pathology services at NextSense, she supports clinical excellence through service development, quality improvement initiatives, staff training, onboarding and research to promote best practice.

Meet Sara

A trained audiologist with clinical experience in both Canada and Australia, Sara has worked at Cochlear for the past seven years as an Account Manager working closely with cochlear implant clinics and surgeons across NSW and the ACT. Passionate about education and advocacy, Sara has focused on increasing awareness of cochlear implant candidacy among healthcare professionals and the broader community. She is working toward improved access

to implantable hearing solutions leading to better outcomes for people with hearing loss.

Meet Sara

A trained audiologist with clinical experience in both Canada and Australia, Sara has worked at Cochlear for the past seven years as an Account Manager working closely with cochlear implant clinics and surgeons across NSW and the ACT. Passionate about education and advocacy, Sara has focused on increasing awareness of cochlear implant candidacy among healthcare professionals and the broader community. She is working toward improved access

to implantable hearing solutions leading to better outcomes for people with hearing loss.

Meet Zlindt

Zlindt See is an Audiology Australia–accredited audiologist with experience in a fast-paced, multi-clinician hearing rehabilitation clinic. During her time there, she was one of the leading referrers of hearing implants, sparking her passion for implantable hearing solutions.

Zlindt holds a Bachelor of Biomedical Science and a Master of Clinical Audiology from The University of Western Australia and received the inaugural Audiology Australia Internship Award.

As a Clinical Sales Specialist at Oticon Medical, she works closely with audiologists and ENT specialists across NSW and the ACT, championing holistic hearing care and innovative hearing technologies.

ZLINDT SEE

Oticon Medical

Meet Zlindt

Zlindt See is an Audiology Australia–accredited audiologist with experience in a fast-paced, multi-clinician hearing rehabilitation clinic. During her time there, she was one of the leading referrers of hearing implants, sparking her passion for implantable hearing solutions.

Zlindt holds a Bachelor of Biomedical Science and a Master of Clinical Audiology from The University of Western Australia and received the inaugural Audiology Australia Internship Award.

As a Clinical Sales Specialist at Oticon Medical, she works closely with audiologists and ENT specialists across NSW and the ACT, championing holistic hearing care and innovative hearing technologies.

Meet Kathryn

Kathryn Zerk is an Australian lyric coloratura soprano who has performed extensively throughout Australia and Europe. After studying at the Elder Conservatorium of Music and the Victorian College of the Arts, she built a successful career performing leading operatic and concert repertoire.

Following sudden hearing loss in her left ear in 2013, Kathryn experienced the challenges of living and performing with single-sided deafness before receiving a cochlear implant in 2023. She now shares her unique perspective as both a professional musician and cochlear implant recipient, reflecting on her journey back to confident listening and music performance.

Meet Kathryn

Kathryn Zerk is an Australian lyric coloratura soprano who has performed extensively throughout Australia and Europe. After studying at the Elder Conservatorium of Music and the Victorian College of the Arts, she built a successful career performing leading operatic and concert repertoire.

Following sudden hearing loss in her left ear in 2013, Kathryn experienced the challenges of living and performing with single-sided deafness before receiving a cochlear implant in 2023. She now shares her unique perspective as both a professional musician and cochlear implant recipient, reflecting on her journey back to confident listening and music performance.