Our Research Based Outcomes

Our hearing loss research.

Delivering evidence-based outcomes

The Shepherd Centre is one of the few early intervention centres that invests in hearing loss research. The continuous expansion of our research domains links directly to improving both our clinical practices as well as using our evidence base to optimise opportunities that will enable our children to maintain their potential as individuals. Translational research is at the heart of the evidence based services and programs we provide at The Shepherd Centre. We rely on our internal hearing loss research projects and our national and international collaborations to inform us of the aspects of our programs that are working well, those that can be improved, the gaps in services and outcomes that exist and what and how we can continuously improve what we do for every child and family we work with. The collection, collation and review of the broad range of measures we use is made possible through our Child Development Information System (CDIS) which underpins our data collection and guides our clinical practice. Our strong clinical hearing loss research and outstanding outcomes continues to be internationally recognised with our work presented at international conferences around the globe.

Current research

Due to our exceptional results and pioneering research, our clinical team presents at numerous conferences around the globe and are highly regarded for their ground-breaking approach to early intervention.

2015/2016 Publications

Dettman, S. J., Dowell, R. C., Choo, D., Arnott, W., Abrahams, Y., Davis, A., Dornan, D., Leigh, J., Constatinescu, G., Cowan, R., & Briggs, R. J. (2016). Long-term Communication Outcomes for Children Receiving Cochlear Implants Younger Than 12 Months: A Multicenter Study. Otology & Neurotology, 37(2), e82-e95.
Constantinescu, G., Phillips, R. L., Davis, A., Dornan, D., & Hogan, A. (2015). Exploring the Impact of Spoken Language on Social Inclusion for Children with Hearing Loss in Listening and Spoken Language Early Intervention. The Volta Review, 115(2), 153-181.
Neal, K., Hopkins, T., Davis. A., Abrahams, Y., Baldacchnio, S., & Hungerford, J. (2016). Is Language the Best Predictor for Theory of Mind in Children with a Hearing Loss? Trends in Hearing Supplement. *Under Submission
Davis, A., Harrison, E., Cowan, R. (2016). A Systematic Review of Early Interventions for Developing Spoken Language in Young Children with Hearing Loss. Journal of Speech, Language and Hearing Research. *Under Submission

2016 Conference Papers Accepted

Speech Pathology Australia National Conference 2016, Perth, Western Australia

Davis, A., & Neal, K. (May, 2016). The impact on communication, speech and language: Family engagement measures and outcomes. (Oral)
Davis, A., Neal, K. & Hansen, A. (May, 2016). Listening: The building block for language and literacy. Changing progress, changing outcomes for children with hearing loss. (Poster)
Davis, A., Neal, K. & Weller, J. (May, 2016). Shaping social and emotional development from birth: Changes in the modelling of mental state language for children with delayed and atypical Theory of Mind acquisition. (Oral)
Arnott, W., Rushbrooke, E. & Davis, A. (May, 2016). Children with hearing loss, early auditory verbal intervention, and speech and language outcomes. (Oral) *Collaborative

Audiology Australia 21st National Conference 2016 Hearing for Life, Melbourne, Australia

Abrahams, Y., Neal, K. & Davis, A. (May, 2016). Defining the Power of One: Ways to provide effective support and intervention for families with children with unilateral hearing impairment. (Workshop)
Abrahams, Y., Neal, K. & Davis, A. (May, 2016). Is the glass half empty or half full? The impact of early intervention for children with unilateral hearing loss. (Oral)
Davis, A., Neal, K., Abrahams, Y. & Hopkins, T. (May, 2016). Shaping social and emotional development for children with delayed and alternate patterns of Theory of Mind acquisition with hearing loss. (Oral)
Davis, A., Neal, K., Slack, D., Abrahams, Y. & Fulcher, A. (May, 2016). Partnerships to enhance access, beyond geography: Intervention, communication and support in the virtual domain. (Oral)
Dettman, S., Dowell, R., Choo, D., Arnott, W., Abrahams, Y., Davis, A., Dornan, D., Leigh, J., Constantinescu, G., Cowan, R. & Briggs. R. (May, 2016). Long term communication outcomes for children who receive cochlear implants younger than 12 months: A multi-centre study. (Oral) *Collaborative

The 14th International Conference on Cochlear Implants & other Implantable Technologies, Toronto, Canada

Abrahams, Y., Neal, K. & Davis, A. (May, 2016). Evaluation and outcome measures for cochlear implantation for children with unilateral hearing loss. (Oral)
Davis, A., Neal, K., & Abrahams, Y. (May, 2016). Enhancing access beyond geography: Shifting Cochlear implant services into the virtual domain. (Oral)
Dettman, S., Dowell, R., Choo, D., Arnott, W., Abrahams, Y., Davis, A., Dornan, D., Leigh, J., Constantinescu, G., Cowan, R. & Briggs. R. (May, 2016). Long term communication outcomes for children who receive cochlear implants younger than 12 months: A multi-centre study. (Oral) *Collaborative

3rd International Congress of Family-centred Early Intervention for children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, Bad Ischl, Austria

Abrahams, Y., Davis, A., Neal, K., & Fulcher, A. (June, 2016). Managing Unilateral Hearing loss in infants: why one ear is not enough. (Poster)
Davis, A., Neal, K., Luscombe, S. & Fulcher, A. (June, 2016). ‘No discipline is an island’: Scaffolding support to maximise family engagement. (Oral)
Davis, A., Neal, K., Slack, D & Fulcher, A. (June, 2016). Partnerships to enhance access, beyond geography: Intervention, communication and support in the virtual domain. (Poster)
Davis, A., Neal, K., Weller, J. & Fulcher, A. (June, 2016). Shaping social and emotional development from birth: Changes in the modelling of mental state language for children with delayed and atypical Theory of Mind acquisition. (Oral)

Hearing Across the Lifespan, Cernobbio, Lake Como, Italy

Arnott, W., Rushbrooke, W., Davis, A. (June, 2016). Auditory-Verbal Therapy: the earlier the better! – (Oral) *Collaborative
Dettman, S., Dowell, R., Choo, D., Arnott, W., Abrahams, Y., Davis, A., Dornan, D., Leigh, J., Constantinescu, G., Cowan, R. & Briggs. R. (June, 2016). Speech, language and hearing outcomes for deaf children using cochlear implants: a prospective long term study. (Oral) *Collaborative

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