Ms. Silvia Di Bonaventura | Neuroscience | Women Researcher Award

Audiologist | University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | United Kingdom

Ms. Silvia, A dedicated Clinical and Research Audiologist at University College London (UCL) with extensive experience in audiology, hearing loss management, and auditory processing disorders. With a strong academic background and significant contributions to research, this professional has played a crucial role in national health initiatives and audiological advancements.

Profile👤

ORCID

Strengths for the Awards✨

• Academic Excellence 🎓

  • Holds a Master of Science in Advanced Audiology (with Merit) from University College London (UCL), one of the world’s top institutions.
  • Additional Master’s degree in Autism Spectrum Disorders (with Distinction).
  • Bachelor’s degree in Audiology with First Class Honours from University of Padua.

• Significant Research Contributions 🔬

  • Key researcher in the SeaSHeL study, the largest UK cohort study on sudden sensorineural hearing loss, involving over 100 NHS hospitals.
  • Published work in BMJ Open and other platforms, contributing to the advancement of clinical audiology research.
  • Involvement in research and clinical guidelines development through the British Society of Audiology (BSA) and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

• Extensive Professional Experience in Audiology & Research 👩‍⚕️

  • Senior Audiologist at UCL Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, specializing in pediatric and advanced audiological assessments.
  • Expertise in Auditory Processing Disorders (APD), vestibular testing, and hearing aid rehabilitation.
  • Former Adjunct Professor at the University of Pisa, teaching audiological testing and hearing aid fitting.

Education 🎓

• Master of Science in Advanced Audiology (2020-2022) – University College London (UK)
  • Obtained with Merit
  • Thesis: “The impact of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss on patients’ quality of life”
• Master in Autism Spectrum Disorders and Communication Disorders (2020) – University “Niccolò Cusano” (Italy)
  • Obtained with Distinction
  • Thesis: “Autism and hearing loss: management of two contrasting case studies”
• Bachelor of Science in Audiology (2014-2017) – University of Padua (Italy)
  • Obtained with First Class Honours
  • Thesis: “Evaluating aided hearing performance and functional gain in case studies: a comparison between Italy and Spain”

Experience 🌍

• Senior Audiologist (2021-Present) – Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospital, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
  • Performing advanced audiological assessments in pediatric patients
  • Developing clinical protocols and monitoring adherence to best practices
  • Diagnosing and managing Auditory Processing Disorders (APD)
  • Leading pediatric aural rehabilitation with hearing aids and BAHA devices
• Researcher & Member of the Central Academic Team for the SeaSHeL Study (2020-Present) – National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), London, UK
  • Coordinating the largest UK cohort study on sudden sensorineural hearing loss
  • Managing research across over 100 NHS hospitals
  • Website: SeaSHeL Study
• Adjunct Professor (2023) – University of Pisa (Italy)
  • Teaching modules on audiometry, audiological tests, and hearing aid optimization
• Clinical Roles in Audiology (2017-Present)
  • Paediatric Audiologist – Barts Health NHS Trust (2020-2021)
  • Audiologist – James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (2019)
  • Clinical Placement – Ospedale Civile “Santo Spirito,” Pescara & Treviso Regional Hospitals (2015-2016)

Research Interests On Neuroscience

• Auditory Processing Disorders (APD) and its clinical management
• Hearing loss and rehabilitation strategies in pediatric populations
• Sudden sensorineural hearing loss and its impact on quality of life
• Integration of audiology within autism spectrum disorder care

Awards 🏆

• Erasmus+ Traineeship Winner (2017) – Funded internship in Madrid, Spain, working across five Amplifon hearing centers
• Professional Certifications:
  • Certified Ear Microsuction Specialist (2022) – Clear Earwax, London, UK
  • Multiple membership certifications in audiology societies

Publications 📚

• “The impact of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss on patients’ quality of life” (2022) – Published in BMJ Open
  • Read here
• “Evaluating aided hearing performance and functional gain in case studies: a comparison between Italy and Spain” (2017) – Published in Journal of Audiological Research

Conclusion 🎯

A passionate audiology professional committed to research, clinical excellence, and improving patient outcomes. With a strong foundation in education and an active role in leading audiology initiatives, this expert continues to drive innovation in hearing healthcare.