What if the sound of a classroom could shape how well students learn, behave, and even how teachers teach?

In this episode of the Psychoaudiology Podcast, Priscilla sits down with Dr. Kiri Mealings, researcher and creator of the Listen to Learn for Life program, to explore how classroom acoustics influence listening, learning, and wellbeing.

We dive into her reviews showing how poor acoustics can impair literacy, cognition, and reading skills, while disproportionately affecting students with ADHD, autism, hearing loss, and even teachers, who often strain their voices just to be heard.

If you’re an educator, audiologist, or simply curious about how soundscapes shape the mind and performance, you can find out more about Dr. Mealings on this webpage or via email at [email protected].

In this episode of The Psychoaudiology Podcast, audiologist and national hearing loop advocate Juliette Sterkens joins us to talk about one of the most overlooked aspects of hearing aid technology — what happens after you fit the hearing aids.

We explore:

• Why hearing aids don’t restore normal hearing

• The everyday challenges of hearing in noisy environments

• How hearing loops dramatically improve clarity and comprehension for hearing aid users

• The future potential of Auracast as a universal assistive listening solution

• Why accessibility in public spaces is still falling short

The episode opens with a short sound demo so you can hear the difference a hearing loop makes — a powerful experience for both professionals and the general public.

Learn more about hearing loops and public hearing access with Juliette’s impactful TEDx talk

In this episode, Priscilla sits down with Associate Professor Wayne Wilson from the University of Queensland. A leading expert in paediatric auditory processing, Dr. Wilson shares his journey through the evolving landscape of audiology and the complex challenge of defining auditory processing disorder (APD).

Together, we explore the growing pains of audiology as a still-maturing profession, and what it means to cultivate true clinical competence in a field with many grey areas. From regulatory frameworks to real-world clinical reasoning, Dr. Wilson offers insight into how audiologists can forge their own diagnostic pathways—grounded in research, experience, and reflective practice.

Whether you're a seasoned clinician or an early-career audiologist, this conversation will challenge you to think more deeply about how you assess, define, and manage APD in the everyday clinical environment.

Struggling to hear but all your hearing tests come out fine? Tune in to The Psychoaudiology Podcast as host Priscilla Leigh interviews Dr. Cristina Murphy, paediatric audiologist and auditory processing disorder (APD) expert. Discover why APD, a complex condition involving speech, language, and neuroscience, often goes undiagnosed when hearing test reveals normal hearing. Dr. Murphy unpacks the controversies around APD and highlights its multidisciplinary nature, offering hope for those with listening challenges. This episode reveals that not all hearing issues start in the ear!

Learn more here:

www.isitapd.co.uk

https://apdsupportuk.wixsite.com/apd-support-uk

Dive into what a complement to audiology auricular acupuncture can be on The Psychoaudiology Podcast! Host Priscilla Leigh interviews Siwan Quinn-Bratton, director of The College of Auricular Acupuncture, exploring its discovery and how ear points mirror an inverted foetus, guiding healing across the body. Far from mere poetry, this practice blends Chinese medicine with evidence-based practice, and unpacks the ear’s anatomic marvels and hidden gems. Tune in!

Join us for Episode 4 of the Psychoaudiology Podcast, in collaboration with the International Society of Audiology! Host Priscilla Leigh interviews Professor Louise Hickson, diving into the profoundly relational power of hearing and its impact on our quality of life. Explore Louise’s groundbreaking work tackling the stigma of hearing loss, her family-centered care approach, and how our environment shapes communication. Learn about her pioneering Active Communication Education (ACE) program, empowering those with hearing loss to connect effectively. Curious? You can contact Professor Louise Hickson at [email protected].

#Psychoaudiology #HearingMatters

Tune into Episode 3 of the Psychoaudiology Podcast, in collaboration with the International Society of Audiology! Host Priscilla Leigh sits down with Dr. Henry Mahncke, CEO of Posit Science, to explore the revolutionary world of auditory brain plasticity. Learn how this phenomenon was discovered by Posit Science co-founder Michael Merzenich following the first (pretty rudimentary!) cochlear implantation. Discover how you can boost processing speed and accuracy with Brain HQ. Find out more on www.brainhq.com and join us on psychoaudiology.com, the ISA website, Spotify or Apple Podcasts! #Psychoaudiology #BrainPlasticity

Join us for the second episode of the Psychoaudiology Podcast with host Priscilla Leigh, where we explore the fascinating intersection of the auditory system, mind, and behaviour. This time, we’re thrilled to feature Dr. Nina Kraus from Northwestern University, a global leader in auditory neuroscience. Dr. Kraus shares groundbreaking insights from her research and brilliant book "Of Sound Mind", on how sound shapes our brain and impacts daily life, with a particular focus on music and bilingualism. Dive into the marvels and mysteries of the auditory system with us!

Find out more about Dr. Kraus' important work at https://brainvolts.northwestern.edu/

Kick off the Psychoaudiology Podcast with a powerful episode featuring Astrid van Wieringen, president of the International Society of Audiology! In this collaboration with the ISA, Astrid dives into why owning your hearing health is a game-changer for keeping your mind sharp. Discover the importance of staying informed about your hearing and explore cutting-edge solutions to boost cognitive vitality through sound. Tune in on psychoaudiology.com, the ISA website, or Spotify! #Psychoaudiology #HearingHealth