Contact Details
| Organization: | Otolaryngology Eye and Ear Hospital |
| Position: | RESEARCH FELLOW |
| Email: | |
| Work: | 03 9667-7516 |
| Fax: | 03 9667-7547 |
| Level: | 01 |
| Building: | 384-388 Albert St. E.Melbourne |
| Campus: | Eye And Ear Hospital |
Biography
I have been conducting research and working clinically with hearing impaired children and adults for 19 years; for many of these years I was a member of Graeme Clark’s team on the world’s first multichannel cochlear implant. I gained extensive clinical experience with adults and children with cochlear implants as a Clinical Research Fellow at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital from 1992-1997, and have worked clinically with preschool and older children with hearing loss since that time.
In 1998, I completed my PhD entitled “Cognitive factors affecting speech perception in adults and children using cochlear implants and Tickle Talkers” and was appointed Deputy Project Leader of a 5-year National Health and Medical Research Council study of language development in primary school-aged children in Victoria and NSW. This research, conducted with Peter Blamey and Roger Wales, provided new theoretical perspectives on the relationship between hearing and language development, and facilitated the development of a language-based criterion for cochlear implantation in children. The quantitative modelling of spoken language development led to language-based training methods that have been implemented and validated with children using cochlear implants and hearing aids in Victorian primary schools. The main publication of this research was awarded the 2001 Editors Award in Hearing by the American Speech-Language-Association for the journal article of highest merit. To date, the findings of this research have been published in 16 peer-reviewed joint-authored journal articles and have resulted in several national and international collaborations.
From 2003-2006, I led a 3-year ARC-funded Linkage Project investigating the effects of early diagnosis and other factors on the language development of preschool children with hearing impairment. This study has been extended for a further five years. Findings of the project to date are reported in the Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education (2008, in press).
In October 2008, I was successful, along with my co-investigators, Karyn Galvin, Peter Blamey, Roger Wales, and Peter Busby, in obtaining a 5-year ARC Linkage Grant entitled "Bilateral Cochlear Implants for Children: Does a Second Implant Improve Language, Psychosocial and Other Outcomes?". This study will be carried out in collaboration with Cochlear Ltd, The Shepherd Centre, Hear and Say Centre, Cora Barclay Centre and The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, and will commence in 2009.
I am an author of four book chapters, 39 journal articles, and many conference presentations, including an invited presentation to UNESCO on special education in 2002.
Research Expertise and International Linkages
Research Expertise
| Research Interest | Key Words | Country of Expertise |
|---|---|---|
| I have an interest in speech perception, language, educational and social outcomes for children with hearing loss | cochlear implants, hearing loss, speech perception, language develelopment, children, educational outcomes | Australia |
Qualifications, Honours, Fellowships and Other Awards
Qualifications
| Title | Institution | Date Awarded | Abbreviation |
|---|---|---|---|
| PhD | University of Melbourne | 03-Feb-1999 | |
| BSc | University of Melbourne | 01-Dec-1987 | |
| Dip Aud | University of Melbourne | 01-Dec-1988 |
Memberships
| Membership Type | Membership Body | Description | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Member | Advisory Council for Children with Impaired Hearing Victoria | 07-Nov-2008 | ||
| Member | Deafness Foundation | 09-Jul-2007 |
Other Awards
| Award Type | Awarding Body | Comments | Date Awarded |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other (Award) | American Speech-Language Association 2001 Editor's Award in Hearing | 02-Apr-2001 |
Government Research Classifications
Research Fields, Courses and Discipline Classifications
- Otorhinolaryngology (CLINICAL SCIENCES) (321018)
- Rehabilitation and Therapy: Occupational and Physical (CLINICAL SCIENCES) (321024)
- Special Education (EDUCATION STUDIES) (330108)
- Ling. Processes (incl Speech Production & Comprehension) (COGNITIVE SCIENCE) (380302)
Socio-Economic Objective Classifications
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.
Additional Grant and Contract Information
Chief Investigator, ARC Linkage Project LP 0989391 Bilateral Cochlear Implants for Children: Does a Second Implant Improve Language, Psychosocial and Other Outcomes? 5 years, $547,000, 2009
Deafness Foundation, $10,000, 2007
Victorian Foundation for the Promotion of Oral Education of the Deaf $7500, 2007
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.