Industry News

By The Canadian Academy of Audiology

Board Announcement: Wavefront Centre CEO Christopher T. Sutton appointed Accessibility Commissioner

11 March 2025

Dear Wavefront Centre community,

On behalf of the Board of Directors, we would like to share an important leadership update with our community.

After five years of dedicated service, Christopher T. Sutton has made the decision to step down as Chief Executive Officer of Wavefront Centre for Communication Accessibility, effective May 2, 2025. While we are saddened by his departure, we deeply respect his decision and extend our heartfelt gratitude for his exceptional leadership, commitment to our mission, and the lasting impact he has made in strengthening our organization for the future.

During his tenure, Christopher has played a critical role in strengthening Wavefront Centre’s impact, expanding our programs and services, fostering key partnerships, and advocating for the rights of Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing communities. His dedication has positioned Wavefront Centre as a national leader in communication accessibility, and his contributions will leave a lasting legacy.

Christopher’s decision comes as he embarks on an exciting new opportunity, having been appointed as the Accessibility Commissioner of the Canadian Human Rights Commission. In this role, he will continue his advocacy for accessibility on a national level. While he will be greatly missed, we are confident that his leadership and passion for accessibility will continue to make a meaningful impact on the broader community.

The Board of Directors is committed to ensuring a smooth leadership transition. Over the coming weeks, we will work closely with Christopher to implement our transition plan effectively. We will keep you informed and provide updates on our next steps as we move through this process.

On behalf of the Board, staff, and the entire Wavefront Centre community, we extend our deepest appreciation to Christopher for his remarkable leadership and contributions. We wish him every success in his next chapter and look forward to his continued advocacy in the accessibility space.

Should you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to ceosearch@wavefrontcentre.ca

Sincerely,
Dean Powers & Cynthia Johansen Co-Chairs,
Wavefront Centre for Communication Accessibility Board of Directors

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BrainXchange webinar by Walter Wittich and Kathy Pichora-Fuller on “Sensory and Cognitive Health”:

https://vimeo.com/1069995479.

The webinar was held March 26, 2025 and is part of a series of webinars organized by the Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging (CCNA). The series provides an overview of the topics included in “Brain health PRO”, an online educational program for older adults developed by a multi-disciplinary team of CCNA researchers, including Dr. Wittich as an expert on vision and Dr. Pichora-Fuller as an expert on hearing. This presentation is intended to be viewed by older adults. It highlights age-related sensory changes and their connections to cognitive performance. Sensory function can be modified using technologies, environmental adaptations, and behavioural strategies. Improving sensory function can in turn improve cognitive performance. Proactive solutions to managing sensory health can benefit brain health and support people so they can stay active in everyday life. For more information about how hearing is integrated into Brain health PRO see the column in this issue of the Canadian Audiologist (Pichora-Fuller, 2025).

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Pathways: Quest for the Best in CAPD/Neuroaudiology

“Practical Management Approaches to CAPD”

A virtual mini symposium sponsored by Pathways & the UK Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery.

Course Directors: Frank Musiek, Ph.D. and Jennifer Shinn, Ph.D.

Course Description:

This 2nd annual virtual program will provide expert practical and scientifically based management approaches to those with CAPD. Featured in addition to expert presentations by a well noted faculty, will be an interactive and international panel which will address challenging management cases in CAPD. Also represented will be an expanded view of types of auditory processing disorders and related habilitative techniques aimed at both pediatric and adult populations.

Program Objectives:

As a result of this activity, participants will be able to:

Apply key concepts in designing appropriate management programs for adults and children. Discuss foundational principles that apply to auditory training.

Discuss the advantages of applying low gain amplification to those with CAPD.

Faculty:

Teri Bellis, Ph.D., University of South Dakota (Ret.)

Vivian Illiadou, M.D., Ph.D., Medical School of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece Frank Musiek, Ph.D., University of Arizona (Ret.)

Jennifer Shinn, Ph.D., University of Kentucky Gail Whitelaw, Ph.D., Ohio State University

Schedule: (All times are EST)

12:00p
Introduction- Drs. Musiek & Shinn

12:05p
Dr. Illiadou, “Auditory Training in APD-Focus on Individual Deficits”

12:45p
Dr. Musiek, “Dichotic Interaural Intensity Difference (DIID) Training: Origin to Application” Dr. Bellis, “Dichotic Listening Training to Improve Hearing in Noise and Related Skills” Break

1:25p
Dr. Bellis, “Dichotic Listening Training to Improve Hearing in Noise and Related Skills”

2:05p
Break

2:15p
Dr. Whitelaw, “Low Gain Hearing Aids as a Tool in Rehabilitation for APD” Case studies Panel on: Challenging Cases of CAPD

3:00p
Case studies Panel on: Challenging Cases of CAPD

3:55p
Summary & Closing remarks: Drs. Shinn & Musiek

Registration:

Please list Pathways as your event.
https://bit.ly/UKYENT

Fee: $35.00 Professionals, $10.00 students
CEUs will be available.

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Management of the Tinnitus & Hyperacusis Patient

August 14—15, 2025 (In-person & remotely) v25

FOR PROFESSIONALS AND PATIENTS
Department of Otolaryngology ̶ Head and Neck Surgery; Communication Sciences-Disorders

Guest of Honor

Ann Perreau, Ph.D.
Helping tinnitus and hyperacusis patients through remote counseling

Special Presentations

Industry Representatives

GROUP DISCUSSIONS

Rich Tyler
Future Treatments

Intended: for otologists, audiologists, hearing aid specialists, psychologists, and all health care professionals

Physician—$595

Tinnitus Patients and Students—$99

Audiologists, Hearing Aid Specialists, Nurses, Residents, Company Reps and other health care professionals—$395

PLEASE LOG IN TO THE PROGRAM WEBSITE BELOW

Sponsors
GOLD: Neuromod, Neuromonics
Diamond: ATA, Cochlear
Silver: Widex, Levo Medical