Sharing knowledge and building connections – our community-based talks with audiologists

At The Hearing House, we believe that supporting people with cochlear implants isn’t just about what happens in our clinic — it’s about working together with the wider hearing care community.

One of the ways we do this is through community talks with audiologists and other hearing professionals in our northern region that extends from Taupō to Cape Reinga.

These sessions help ensure that people with hearing differences are getting the right advice and support at every stage of their journey — from hearing aids through to cochlear implants and beyond.

Why we do it

Most people who come to The Hearing House for a cochlear implant assessment are referred by their local audiologist. By keeping in regular contact with these professionals, we can make sure those referrals are timely, accurate and well-supported.

Our talks give audiologists a chance to:

• Learn more about cochlear implants – including who might be a good candidate and what the process involves.

• Understand how to best support people with severe to profound hearing loss or those in the Deaf community who want extra help with their hearing differences – ensuring clients are as well supported as possible before considering a cochlear implant.

• Ask questions and share experiences – helping us all learn from one another and strengthen how we work together.

  
  

We also love sharing our knowledge with the next generation of professionals by giving guest lectures to University of Auckland audiology and speech-language therapy students. It’s a great way to introduce them to the world of cochlear implants early in their careers.

What everyone gets out of it

These community talks build more than just knowledge — they build relationships. When audiologists feel comfortable reaching out to us, they’re more likely to discuss those “borderline” cases or ask for advice when they’re unsure. That means better communication, better referrals and ultimately better outcomes for our kiritaki/clients.

For us, it’s incredibly rewarding to see how these conversations create smoother journeys for people moving from hearing aids to cochlear implants. When everyone in the hearing care network works together, kiritaki/clients get consistent information and support every step of the way.

Taking the conversation on the road

Our team doesn’t just stay in Auckland — we travel across our northern region to connect with audiologists in their own communities. Once a year, we join Cochlear™ representatives to run “CI Journal Clubs” in regions like Rotorua, Tauranga, Hamilton, Whangārei and Auckland. These informal, discussion-based sessions are a great way for audiologists to keep up to date with continuing education while learning about real-life CI cases and sharing their insights.

This year, we’ve already held and scheduled several sessions, from Whangārei to Rotorua, as well as online presentations at national conferences. We also collaborate with the Southern Cochlear Implant Programme (SCIP) rehab team four times a year to deliver webinars for hearing therapists across the region.

A shared mission

Whether it’s a conference talk, a small journal club or a student lecture, every session is about connection. Together, we’re making sure that people with hearing differences — wherever they live or whatever their situation — can access the right care and technology at the right time.

For The Hearing House, these talks are more than professional outreach — they’re part of our mission to build a connected, informed and compassionate community.