Contact Details
| Organization: | Otolaryngology Eye and Ear Hospital |
| Position: | CHAIR OF AUDIOLOGY & SPEECH SCIENCE |
| Email: | |
| Work: | (03) 90355339 |
Biography
Contributions to the research field
Professor Dowell is the Director of the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital Cochlear Implant Clinic, Head of the Department of Otolaryngology at the University of Melbourne, and holds the Chair in Audiology and Speech Science. Prof Dowell has also been the Educational Program Leader of the Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Cochlear Implant and Hearing Aid Innovation. He has been involved in clinical work and research in cochlear implants for over 20 years. Some of his most significant achievements have included: PhD studies leading to the development of the MULTIPEAK signal speech processor; the establishment of the cochlear implant clinic at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital in 1986; contribution to the FDA approval of cochlear prostheses for children in 1990; initiation of the transition of the Graduate Diploma in Audiology (one year) training in clinical audiology at the University of Melbourne to a two year Masters degree; and initiation of the Balance Disorders Unit as a joint unit of the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital.
10 career best publications
Dowell RC, Martin LFA, Tong YC, Clark GM, Seligman PM and Patrick JF. A 12-consonant confusion study on a multiple channel cochlear implant patient. J Sp Hear Res 25: 509-516 (1982)
Tong YC Dowell RC, Blamey PJ and Clark GM. Two component hearing sensations produced by two electrode stimulation in the cochlea of a totally deaf patient. Science 219: 993-994 (1983)
Dowell RC, Martin LFA, Clark GM and Brown AM. Results of a preliminary clinical trial on a multiple channel cochlear prosthesis. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 94: 244-250 (1985)
Dowell RC, Seligman PM, Blamey and Clark GM - Evaluation of a two-formant speech processing strategy for a multichannel cochlear prosthesis. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol Suppl 128, 96: 132-133 (1987)
Staller SJ, Dowell RC, Beiter AL and Brimacombe JA. Perceptual abilities of children with the Nucleus 22-channel cochlear implant. Chapter 4 in The Nucleus 22 channel cochlear implant in children. Ear and Hearing, Suppl. 12(4): 34-47 (1991)
Dowell RC, Blamey PJ and Clark GM. The potential and limitations of cochlear implants in children. Annals of Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 104 (suppl 166): 324-327 (1995)
Dowell RC and Cowan RSC. Evaluation of benefit: Infants and children. Chapter 12 in Clark GM, Cowan RSC and Dowell RC (Eds.) Cochlear Implantation for infants and children: advances Singular Publishing Group. San Diego. (1997)
Dowell R.C., Dettman S.J., Blamey P.J., Barker E.J. and Clark G.M. Speech perception in children using cochlear implants: prediction of long term outcomes Cochlear Implants International 3(1): 1-18 (2002).
Dowell R.C., Hollow R. and Winton E. Outcomes for cochlear implant users with significant residual hearing: implications for selection criteria in children. Archives of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery 130: 575-581. (2004)
Dowell, R. Evaluating cochlear implant candidacy: recent developments. The Hearing Journal 58(11) 9-23 (2005)
Qualifications, Honours, Fellowships and Other Awards
Qualifications
| Title | Institution | Date Awarded | Abbreviation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Science | University of Melbourne | 31-Dec-1977 | |
| Diploma in Audiology | University of Melbourne | 31-Dec-1979 | |
| Master of Science | University of Melbourne | 31-Dec-1989 | |
| Doctor of Philosophy | University of Melbourne | 31-Dec-1991 |
Fellowships
| Fellowship | Date Awarded |
|---|---|
| Fellow of the Audiology Society of Australia (FAUDSA) | 31-Dec-2000 |
Government Research Classifications
Research Fields, Courses and Discipline Classifications
- Otorhinolaryngology (CLINICAL SCIENCES) (321018)
- Rehabilitation and Therapy: Hearing and Speech (CLINICAL SCIENCES) (321025)
- Health Promotion (PUBLIC HEALTH AND HEALTH SERVICES) (321216)
- Educational Psychology (EDUCATION STUDIES) (330101)
- Sensory Processes, Perception and Performance (PSYCHOLOGY) (380101)
- Learning, Memory, Cognition and Language (PSYCHOLOGY) (380102)
- Ling. Processes (incl Speech Production & Comprehension) (COGNITIVE SCIENCE) (380302)
- Performing Arts not elsewhere classified (PERFORMING ARTS) (410199)
Socio-Economic Objective Classifications
- Surgical methods and procedures (CLINICAL; ORGANS, DISEASES AND ABNORMAL CONDITIONS) (730109)
- Hearing, vision, speech and their disorders (CLINICAL; ORGANS, DISEASES AND ABNORMAL CONDITIONS) (730111)
- Health status (e.g. indicators of well-being) (PUBLIC HEALTH) (730217)
- Occupational, speech and physiotherapy (HEALTH AND SUPPORT SERVICES) (730303)
- Early childhood education (EARLY CHILDHOOD AND PRIMARY EDUCATION) (740101)
- Special education (SPECIAL EDUCATION) (740501)
Grants and Contracts
Research Grants, Contracts and Consultancies awarded to the University of Melbourne as the administering institution (since 2003) as recorded in Themis Agreements.
Grants
| Title | Role | Funding Source | Scheme | Award Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A longitudinal study of language learning to assess early intervention outcomes in pre-school children with impaired hearing | Chief Investigator | AUST RESEARCH COUNCIL | Linkage Projects | 01/01/2003 |
| Vocal empowerment: Researching the effect of actor voice training on young adults with cochlear implants and hearing aids | Chief Investigator | AUST RESEARCH COUNCIL | Linkage Projects | 01/01/2006 |
| SCHOLARSHIP IN OTOLARYNGOLOGY HEAD AND NECK SURGERY | Chief Investigator | GARNETT PASSE & RODNEY WILLIAMS MEMORIAL FUND | Scholarship in Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery | 06/02/2006 |
| Protecting the inner ear during surgery | Chief Investigator | NHMRC | Project Grants | 01/01/2008 |
Publications
Publications produced at the University of Melbourne and reported in the Annual Publications Collection and 'Research Report' since 2001. The Themis Publications module, released in November 2006, allows additional publications from previous institutions and publications from past years to be entered.