Research Projects awarded or in progress
Research projects awarded or currently in progress between 2011 and June 2017 (administered by NHMRC).
Early Indicators of Noise Injury: Are decreased auditory processing skills evident in noise-exposed adults prior to diagnosis of hearing loss?
Aims
This research aims to determine the relationship between noise exposure levels and auditory processing difficulties, the influence of musical training in ameliorating these difficulties; and a neurological model of causation, operation and possible remediation of these difficulties.
Research Institution: Australian Hearing
Target Group: Adults
Predicting language skills from early auditory speech discrimination in infants with hearing loss: implications for early management and intervention
Aims
To close the language gap between children with and without permanent hearing loss. The team will use a world-first clinical tool to identify infants with the greatest hearing deficits and help them reap the language benefits early cochlear implantation offers.
Research Institution: Australian Hearing
Target Group: Children with permanent hearing loss
Indigenous Children’s Healthy EARs (ICHEAR)
Aims
To improve awareness, prevention and treatment of Otitis Media in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australian communities to ensure better outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
Research Institution: Menzies School of Health Research, Centre of Research Excellence
Target Group: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Youth
Innovative diagnosis for and prevention of otitis media in Australian infants
Aims
To employ innovative technology to diagnose Otitis Media in infants and determine the risk factors for OM in Australian infants.
Research Institution: University of Queensland
Target Group: Infants
Occupational hearing loss induced by solvents and noise: development of new strategies for hearing loss prevention programs in the workplace
Aims
To investigate the influence of solvent and noise exposure on the function of the auditory system and determine tests, with the highest discriminatory power, that can be used in the workplace to detect early signs of occupational solvent-induced hearing loss.
Research Institution: University of Queensland
Target Group: People in the workplace
Evaluation of Haemophilus Haemolyticus as a preventative therapy for NTHi Disease
Aims
To investigate new bacterial ways to prevent middle ear infections. Middle ear infections are the most common reason for a child to be given antibiotics and undergo surgery worldwide. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australian children have the highest rates of severe infection in the world, which impacts on speech development and quality of life.
Research Institution: University of Western Australia
Target Group: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Youth
Work-related hearing loss in Australia
Aims
To determine how many Australians are exposed to noise and ototoxic chemicals in the workplace. Survey data will be used to estimate the future burden of work-related hearing loss and determine how changes in the use of noise control measures could alter the burden and associated costs.
Research Institution: University of Western Australia
Target Group: People in the workforce