Hearing health is brain health.
The Soundwell Program.
Hearing health is brain health. Soundwell makes that connection clinical, measurable, and meaningful.
Soundwell is Deane Audiology's signature 12-month hearing health and wellness program — the only structured audiology program in the region that formally integrates cognitive screening and monitoring with hearing care. The hearing : cognition connection is well-established in the research — untreated hearing loss is now recognised as one of the most significant readily modifiable risk factors for cognitive decline. This is because the brain works harder (called Cognitive Load) to process speech through the lens of impaired hearing, subsequently leaving fewer resources for the higher executive functions of memory, attention, and thinking. Unnecessary cognitive load left untreated can cause functional changes in the brain, accounting for increased risks of neurodegenerative disease.
The clinical rationale: Research published in leading neurology and audiology journals consistently links untreated hearing loss with increased risk of cognitive decline. The mechanisms are well-established: hearing loss increases the cognitive load of everyday listening, may reduce social engagement, and is associated with accelerated brain atrophy in auditory processing regions. Treating hearing loss is now recognised as one of the most readily modifiable risk factors for dementia prevention.
Soundwell exists to take that research off the page and into clinical practice.
What the program includes:
Comprehensive baseline diagnostic hearing assessment
Cognitive screening — measured before, during and after intervention strategies, administered by a certified practitioner
Personalised hearing intervention (hearing technology and/or sound therapy as appropriate)
Structured 12-month follow-up schedule with hearing and communication progress review
Cognitive monitoring at program milestones — tracking function before, during, and after intervention
Detailed progress reporting, suitable for sharing with your GP or treating specialist
Why monitoring matters: Most audiology practices fit devices and schedule annual check-ups. Soundwell goes further: by measuring cognitive function at the start and monitoring it across the program, we can demonstrate — with data — whether intervention is making a meaningful difference. For clients, that's accountability. For referring clinicians, it's the kind of outcome evidence that justifies the referral.
Who it's for: Clients who want more than a hearing aid. Particularly valuable for those with concerns about cognitive health, and cognitive prevention, those with a family history of dementia, clients whose GPs have raised hearing-cognition concerns, and anyone who wants their hearing care to be proactive rather than reactive.
Note: Soundwell is a private program. Contact us to discuss eligibility and program investment.
Other Services
Diagnostic Hearing Assessment.
The most important conversation starts with the most accurate picture.
A comprehensive clinical evaluation following Audiology Australia best-practice protocols — not a screen, not a quick check. You'll leave with a detailed report, a plain-language explanation of your results, and a clear recommended pathway forward.
Extended High Frequency Audiometry.
Hearing beyond the standard test — because that's where early changes begin.
One of very few clinics in Australia to offer EHF testing up to 16,000 Hz — the range standard tests miss entirely. Particularly valuable for tinnitus, speech-in-noise difficulty, and monitoring the effects of noise exposure or ototoxic medications.
Tinnitus Assessment & Management.
There's no single solution for tinnitus. The right approach starts with the right assessment.
A dedicated tinnitus consultation that goes well beyond a standard hearing test — characterising your tinnitus, quantifying its impact, and building a personalised management plan drawn from evidence-based approaches including sound therapy, counselling, and hybrid hearing technology where appropriate.
Hearing Technology — Customised Solutions.
The right device is actually a solution - one that fits your hearing, your life, and your goals.
As a fully independent audiologist with no manufacturer affiliations, every recommendation is made on clinical grounds alone. All fittings are verified using Real Ear Measurement — the gold standard for confirming your devices are actually delivering the right prescription.
Hearing Aid Re-Fitting & Rescue.
Already have hearing aids but not wearing them? Let's fix that — without automatically replacing them.
A surprisingly large number of hearing aid problems are fixable, without buying new devices — with proper verification, reprogramming, and support. If your existing aids can meet your needs, let’s get it done properly. Often a simple change to the acoustics can make them more comfortable and effective.
The Soundwell Program.
Hearing health is brain health. Soundwell makes that connection clinical, measurable, and yours.
A signature 12-month program that formally integrates cognitive screening and monitoring with hearing care — the only structured program of its kind in the region. For clients who want their hearing intervention to be accountable, evidence-based, and connected to their broader health picture.
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“I avoided having my hearing checked for years - didn’t really want to be told what I already knew. But Rachel was patient and thorough and I never once felt rushed or sold to.”
- Mark D, Orchardist