Help Your Child Reach Their Full Potential
Early Intervention for children with hearing loss. Book your free call today.
Early Intervention for children with hearing loss
Help your child reach their full potential
Every moment matters. Early intervention can open a world of sound, connection & possibility for your child. The earlier you act, the greater their chance to thrive in school and beyond.
Trusted care with proven results
850+
families empowered through expert early intervention
50+
years of world-leading early intervention for children with hearing loss
100%
of our children are supported to go to school of their choice
Why choose The Shepherd Centre for early intervention?
Skip the long waitlist – The Shepherd Centre has a “no waitlist” policy for Early Intervention programs for babies and toddlers.
Pioneers in early intervention care – The first in Australia to offer a comprehensive, evidence-based early intervention program, setting the standard for child hearing care.
Proven success – We support 100% of our graduates to attend school of their choice, demonstrating the effectiveness of our program.
Expert multidisciplinary team – Audiologists, speech therapists, and family support specialists work together to provide the highest quality care.
More than therapy, a lifelong impact – Our holistic approach supports not just listening and speaking but also social and emotional development for long-term success.
Maximising your NDIS plan – We deliver a full spectrum of support under one roof, ensuring you get the most from your plan.
How our early intervention process works
Book your free discovery call
In a confidential, obligation-free call, our team will
This is your opportunity to learn more about early intervention and how we can support your family.
Get matched with your expert team
Your child’s journey is unique, and so is our approach.
Once you’re ready, we’ll connect you with a dedicated team of specialists—
who will work together to support your child’s development.
From tailored therapy plans to expert guidance for you as a parent, we ensure you have everything you need to help your child thrive in hearing world.
Start your in-person or online specialist sessions
Your child’s therapy journey begins with individually tailored sessions, thoughtfully prepared to target their
Our expert team collaborates, tracks progress, and adjusts strategies to ensure continuous growth—all while making learning fun and engaging.
We understand you want what's best for your child
The first two years of life are a critical time for a child’s speech and language development. Starting early intervention as soon as possible gives your child the best chance to develop strong language skills and confidently connect with others.
The sooner a child begins therapy after diagnosis, the better opportunity to thrive in school and beyond.
At The Shepherd Centre, we work with families to create a personalised program tailored to your child’s unique needs.
What our families are saying
Annabel was diagnosed with bilateral moderate hearing loss at just five weeks old. 'I loved the optimism of The Shepherd Centre,' says Claire. 'In our first meeting, they told me about some of their incredible outcomes.
I liked that their program was adjusted to suit Annabel rather than expecting her to fit into a program'. She says, 'They just "got her" – every session was tailored to Annabel's interests and challenges.' She's now excelling in the classroom and the schoolyard.
Hamish was diagnosed with bilateral profound hearing loss and received two cochlear implants. Fiona and Charles realised it would take a concerted family effort to help Hamish fulfil his potential.
‘In actuality, there’s a lot of hard work and rehabilitative therapy involved, especially on behalf of the parents. Without them, I would never have been able to make a speech. And without The Shepherd Centre, they would never have been able to help me along this path in the first place.’
‘The staff were incredibly supportive and encouraged my family all the way,’ Rosie recalls, ‘I remember every afternoon I would sit at my little desk at home and practice my sounds, letters.
She adds, ‘It was a lifeline for me and my family, to come across such an incredible organisation that helped me prove all those people wrong; all those people who said I would never speak nor hear; it was a blessing.
FAQ
The Shepherd Centre is dedicated to supporting children with hearing loss. We provide a comprehensive, evidence-based early intervention program designed to help your child develop strong communication skills, both for school and life. Our comprehensive approach involves personalised therapy, audiology services, family support, and much more.
The Shepherd Centre is a registered NDIS service provider and we have a wealth of experience helping many families go through the NDIS planning process. We’re here to help your child access the NDIS supports they need.
We offer hearing loss programs and services tailored to support the needs of infants, toddlers, school-age children and teenagers.
- Early Intervention Program (0 – 5 years): Tailored support for your child to develop listening, speech, and language skills. Our specialist team of audiologists, listening and spoken language therapists, and child and family counsellors work collaboratively to ensure the best possible outcome for your child and family.
- School-Age Program: Support for your child in primary and secondary school to help them succeed academically and socially.
We offer our services in-person and online support throughout in NSW, Tasmania, and the ACT. Please fill out the form, and we’ll help you find the centre closest to you.
Whether your child has a confirmed hearing loss, your baby has received a “refer” result (or did not pass result) from the Newborn Hearing Screening (sometimes called the ‘SWISH Test’), or you’re concerned about your child’s hearing and need advice, we’re here to help.
The Shepherd Centre sees children from as little as one or two weeks old up to 18 years of age. The most important part is that you contact us as soon as you find out that your child has hearing loss or when you suspect that your child may have hearing loss.
The first two years are crucial for speech and language development and there are many ways to support your baby’s development.
Even before they understand words, your child is absorbing the sounds, rhythms, and melody of your voice. Simple activities like singing, reading and playing not only foster listening and language development but also strengthen the bond between you. These activities stimulate the brain’s ability to process sounds, which is especially important for children with hearing loss.
The earlier you start, the more you can support their ability to learn, listen and speak.
Your sessions at The Shepherd Centre are a holistic and personalised experience for both the child and their family.
Before each session, we review your child’s progress, consult with our multidisciplinary team, and prepare engaging, tailored activities to focus on areas such as listening, spoken language, cognitive, and social-emotional development.
During the session, we set goals, track progress, and provide strategies for home practice. Each session builds on the last, ensuring steady improvement.
90% of children with hearing loss are born to hearing parents.
With early and effective intervention, many children with hearing loss can develop spoken language. At The Shepherd Centre, we focus on early intervention and use a proven approach that helps children listen and speak. Our evidence-based methods, combined with the expertise of our wraparound care team, support children in developing the communication skills they need to thrive in the hearing world.
The decision to learn Auslan (Australian Sign Language) is a personal one and depends on your family’s goals and child’s needs. Many children learn more than one language and Auslan can be one of them.
Our service is funded by the NDIS and generous philanthropic donations which enables families to access care without paying fees*.
*Eligibility criteria applies
Fill out the form above and a friendly staff member will contact you within 2 business days.
Book your free discovery call today!
What’s Next?
Book your free discovery call today!
In the call, we will:
- Address any questions you may have
- Recommend whether you should consider early intervention
- Share the next steps for how The Shepherd Centre can help you.
Need support today? Contact The Shepherd Centre by calling 1800 020 030.
