2016 annual report

Early intervention programs to assist children with hearing loss develop spoken language.

1 PRELUDE 3 Hearing services are being reshaped under the NDIS 3 Early childhood hearing loss in Australia and New Zealand 4 2 OVERVIEW 6 Our organisation and members 6 Our vision and mission 7 3 YEAR IN REVIEW 8 Message from the Chair 8 Performance highlights against priorities 10 Annual highlights 12 4 CENTRE AND FAMILY HIGHLIGHTS 16 Cora Barclay Centre 16 Hear and Say 18 Taralye 20 Telethon Speech & Hearing 22 The Hearing House 24 The Shepherd Centre 26 5 RESEARCH, PUBLICATIONS & PRESENTATIONS 28 Research projects 28 Conference presentations 32 Published research and other papers 35 6 GOVERNANCE 38 Board of Directors 38 Leadership and support roles 40 Summary of financial performance 40 Organisation and resource structure 41 7 OTHER 42

PRELUDE

NDIS BRINGS ABOUT MAJOR CHANGES TO THE DELIVERY OF EARLY CHILDHOOD HEARING SERVICES

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is the most significant social policy reform in Australia since Medicare. It has the potential to bring about major change to the delivery of early intervention services to children with hearing loss across Australia.

While the scheme offers significant advances to people with disabilities, its service and funding framework is proving to be a “more difficult fit” within the childhood hearing services sector.

While we support and uphold the key principles of the NDIS, there is widespread concern in our sector that hearing-impaired children may be worse off under the NDIS.

We are currently working with the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), government representatives, service providers and peak bodies to ensure the needs of children with hearing loss are not negatively impacted by these changes.

With the full scheme now in operation across Australia, we are concerned at the number of key policy matters relating to childhood hearing loss that remain unresolved. These relate to eligibility, scope of services, duration of services, funding, interface issues with health and education, referral arrangements, quality assurance, professional credentialing and more.

Timing is critical in the management of childhood hearing loss. Failure to deliver an adequately funded and seamless process from screening to completion of early intervention will leave children with hearing loss at a substantial disadvantage.

Properly managed and resourced, children who have a permanent hearing loss or are profoundly deaf have enormous potential to develop fluent oral communication, attend mainstream schools, secure and maintain employment and participate in and contribute fully to society.

We must ensure that the key principles of Australia’s world-leading hearing services system – early diagnosis, timely referral and amplification, and access to adequately funded service pathways – are fully supported and fully integrated into a “good fit” public policy operating framework, and not diluted or compromised in any way.

Failure to do so would create systemic and life-long disadvantage to generations of children with hearing loss and their families, and set Australia’s highly developed and internationally-renowned hearing services sector back many years.

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EARLY CHILDHOOD HEARING LOSS IN

AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND

INCIDENCE AND CAUSE OF PERMANENT HEARING LOSS

Hearing loss is identified in about one in 1,000 newborns. In most cases there are no known risk factors. By the time a child is ready to start school, the rate of hearing loss has increased to about one in 300 children. This increase can be attributed to a range of factors including (1) failure to detect at birth; (2) progressive hearing loss in either or both ears; or (3) trauma, infections and childhood diseases such as meningitis.

THE PROFOUND IMPACT OF EARLY CHILDHOOD HEARING LOSS

Unless remediated early, childhood hearing loss impacts directly on communication, literacy, learning, social and emotional development, educational attainment and future employment options. For children who are born with or acquire a permanent hearing loss in the first years of life, early diagnosis and intervention are critical to optimal development. Speech, language and cognitive development are substantially impaired without the necessary auditory stimulus from the child’s environment to the brain.

BEST PRACTICE FOR CHILDREN WHOSE FAMILIES CHOOSE SPOKEN LANGUAGE

A child with hearing loss is at significant risk of developing a significant communication disability. However this can be effectively minimised if the child is:

quickly and accurately diagnosed
effectively fitted with appropriate assistive hearing devices (eg hearing aids, cochlear implants, bone anchored hearing aids) and
enrolled in a specialist early intervention service

If this pathway is complete within 6 months (from the emergence of the hearing loss through to enrolment in a specialist early intervention service), then the child has a very good chance of developing age-appropriate language/communication and social skills, despite their hearing loss.

LISTENING AND SPOKEN LANGUAGE EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAMS

In Australia and New Zealand, listening and spoken language early intervention programs are typically provided through multi-disciplinary teams comprising a range of specialist health and educational professionals including:

certified auditory-verbal therapists
teachers of the deaf
speech pathologists
paediatric audiologists
psychologists
child and family counsellors
social workers
occupational therapists
specialist kindergarten professionals
youth workers

Many listening and spoken language programs are provided in conjunction with a cochlear implant program, in which case the team will also include cochlear implant surgeons, paediatricians and other medical and health personnel.

These programs are evidenced-based, family-centred and reflect early childhood early intervention best practice.

Listening and spoken language programs have the singular purpose of assisting children with permanent hearing loss to learn to listen and speak. This approach helps a child achieve cognitive development, effective spoken communication, improved social participation, optimal schooling outcomes and post-schooling educational and employment options comparable to children with typical hearing.

While children who are deaf or have a hearing loss will carry this condition throughout life - and be limited in their ability to hear in noisy and other challenging environments – optimal early intervention and follow-up will enable them to participate fully and effectively in the hearing world, facilitating life-long social and economic independence.

Children with permanent hearing loss can develop spoken language skills on par with their typically-hearing peers.

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OVERVIEW

Our organisation and members

First Voice is the regional voice for member organisations that provide listening and spoken language early intervention services for children who are deaf or hearing-impaired.

Our member organisations include some of the largest, oldest and most respected centres providing services for childhood hearing loss in Australia and New Zealand. These include:

Cora Barclay Centre, South Australia
Hear and Say, Queensland
Taralye, Victoria
Telethon Speech & Hearing, Western Australia
The Hearing House, New Zealand
The Shepherd Centre, New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory

First Voice plays a leadership role within the early childhood hearing loss sector, advocating for world-class early intervention services for children who are deaf or hearing-impaired. We work with government and other organisations to influence public policy and clinical practice related to services for children who are deaf and hearing-impaired.

Our member organisations maintain an active research agenda and work with research institutions to conduct hearing research relevant to young people with hearing loss. First Voice is committed to providing evidence-based research to inform and influence public health policy in our region.

First Voice members provide early intervention services to more than 1,000 children living with deafness or hearing loss in Australia and New Zealand. This is one of the largest cohorts of children receiving early intervention services for hearing loss in the world. Our members operate on a multi-disciplinary team model with a strong focus on family-centred practice.

Our vision and mission

First Voice champions the right of all deaf people to listen and speak.

OUR MISSION

It is First Voice’s mission to:

raise awareness of early childhood deafness and the urgency of early intervention for hearing-impaired children
promote universal newborn hearing screening and management pathways
pursue national fundraising opportunities for listening and spoken language services and related research
advocate for equitable and timely access to evidence-based early intervention services and mainstream inclusion for children who are deaf

OUR PURPOSE

Our purpose is to ensure that every hearing-impaired child and their family in Australia and New Zealand have access to what they need to achieve the spoken language of which they are capable.

First Voice advocates for world-class early intervention services that give children the listening and spoken language skills necessary to achieve mainstream education, employment of choice and social integration within the hearing world.

KEY PRINCIPLES

The following six principles are integral to children achieving the spoken language of which they are capable:

early identification
access to assistive technologies
family support and education
transition to mainstream education
evidence-based therapies
universal access to diagnosis, assessment and treatment, particularly in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, rural and multi-cultural communities.

Key focus areas

Our purpose, key principles and key focus area are summarised below:

First voice’s purpose: every hearing impaired child and their family in Australia and New Zealand have access to what they need to achieve the spoken language of which they are capable

Underpinned by universal access: especially in indigenous, rural and multicultural communities

Early identification
Access to assistive technologies
Family support and education
Transition to mainstream education
Evidence-based therapies

Governments believe in and support the six key principles

Public understanding shifted

Professional understanding shifted

Evidence-based research and debate in the deafness community

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                    YEAR IN REVIEW
                                        Message from the Chair
                                                                                                                             I was honoured to take on the role of Chair of First Voice
                                                                                        in October 2015, being handed the baton from outgoing
                                                                            Chair Therese Kelly. On behalf of my fellow board members
                                                                                                                             I would like to thank Therese for her leadership and
                                                               commitment to First Voice over her 18-month term as Chair.

                                                              The past 12 months have been a significant and
                                                                        transformative period in the hearing services sector. The
                                                                                    roll-out of the National Disability Insurance Scheme and a
                                                                              potential sale or change of ownership of Australian Hearing
                                                                both have the potential to significantly reshape how hearing
                                                                             services are delivered to young Australians with hearing
                                                                                          loss.

                                                                                       First Voice has largely focused its attention and efforts
                                                                   over the past 12 months on these issues. We continue
                                                                       to advocate for a hearing services environment that is
                                                                      evidence-based, protects and maintains the integrity of our
                                                                          current world-leading practices and optimises life outcomes
                                                                          of infants, children and young people with hearing loss.

                                                            Over the past 12 months we have worked at the most
                                                                            senior level with the National Disability Insurance Agency
                                                                (NDIA) to represent the needs of children with hearing
                                                                                loss within the scheme. First Voice members have been
                                                                             active participants on the NDIA’s expert reference panel
                                                          on hearing loss, and provided expert advice and input to
                                                                                   officers of the NDIA responsible for developing the service
                                                            and funding arrangements that will govern the operation of
                                                                      the scheme.

                                                             At the time of preparing this report, we have major
                                                                   concerns about how the needs of children with hearing
                                                                                loss will be served within the NDIS. Despite the massive
                                                                                    financial investment in the new scheme, there is a potential
                                                                                for children with hearing loss to be worse off under the
                                                           NDIS than under their current arrangements. We are
                                                            engaged in urgent discussions with the NDIA, government *There is potential for children
                                           with hearing loss to be                                  issues and concerns.         worse off under the NDIS.*                      First Voice is committed to providing independent research
                             and evidence that continues to demonstrate the value
                             and cost benefit of hearing impaired children having the
                                 communication skills needed to participate fully in the
                                                    listening and spoken language world. To that end, we have

commissioned a number of new studies and projects, and built a strong coalition of stakeholders that are committed to these outcomes.

As an adjunct to this work, we have also refocused and relaunched a new collaborative research effort in 2015/2016 – seeking and developing partnerships with major research institutions in Australia and New Zealand that have a special interest in hearing loss and related topics.

We are pleased to provide a summary of our activities and achievements over the past financial year in the following pages.

None of this activity or effort would have been possible without the financial and other support we receive from our members and partners that enable our work. We remain grateful for the ongoing support of Cochlear Limited, which helps us fund key support roles, and other partners and supporters who provide pro-bono goods and services to our projects and activities.

We are also indebted to our members, which continue to provide financial contributions and countless hours of effort from their teams to further our mission and cause.

While we maintain a regional profile and program of work, we continue to operate from a small financial base. Our audited financial accounts have been circulated, and these report a year ending surplus of $30k, down from $88k in the preceding financial year period due to new projects initiated over the past year.

On behalf of outgoing Chair Therese Kelly and myself, I am pleased to report on our activity and achievements over the 2015/2016 financial year in the report that follows. First Voice welcomes the challenges in the year ahead, and we will continue to be a strong and vocal advocate of the needs of children and young people with hearing loss as the industry continues to evolve and transform.

Michael Forwood, Chair

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PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS AGAINST PRIORITIES

PRIORITY AREAS PRIORITY 1 PRIORITY 2 PRIORITY 3

Strategic goals Advocate for the inclusion Ensure quality, access and Advocate on broader of best practice policies for choice is maintained for all public policy issues children with hearing loss within families in a market place relating to childhood the NDIS undergoing structural change hearing loss

Activities and • Met regularly with NDIS • Submitted a proposal to • Through our members, achievements during senior policy makers to the Review into the Service maintained advocacy 2015/2016 advocate for the inclusion of Delivery Framework for the on issues relating to best practice, evidence based Hearing Services Program Medicare claiming for guidelines for the delivery [Voucher Scheme] audiology and hearing of services to children with loss hearing loss under the NDIS

Liaised with the Office • Endorsed and became
Continued to prepare and of Hearing Services over formal members of submit papers to the NDIS the referral pathway for Deafness Forum’s based on evidence based children with hearing loss National Break research and international the Sound Barrier best practices for children • Commissioned research Campaign with hearing loss into different service provider models (eg multi-
Continued to provide disciplinary versus sole • Met regularly with advocacy and input to the practice providers) federal and state NDIA hearing loss expert parliamentarians to reference panel • Commissioned a cost provide advice on benefit analysis into issues and policies
Created a coalition of the benefit of children affecting children with stakeholders who share a receiving listening and hearing loss in the common purpose in the spoken language early region. preservation of Australia’s intervention services best practice hearing services environment for children. • Maintained engagement with all parties involved in the potential sale or transfer of Australian Hearing.

PRIORITY 4	PRIORITY 5	PRIORITY 6 & 7	PRIORITY 8 & 9
Conduct and disseminate evidence-based research on listening and spoken language outcomes	Change the perception of what is possible for children with hearing loss	Grow our funding base and provide support to member and affiliated organisations	Build long term value and engagement with members, partners and supporters

Developed a list of research topics of interest to First Voice members
Approached research organisations and universities to explore joint research opportunities
Advanced the collection and consolidation of clinical outcome data across the First Voice member network
Commenced a study into the education and career outcomes of school leavers and adult graduates from First Voice member centres
Commissioned a cost benefit analysis of the long term benefit of providing listening and spoken language to children with hearing loss. | - Held our third highly successful Power of Speech Awards in Canberra in August 2015
Held our annual Loud Shirt Day in October 2015, supported by public relations and digital marketing campaigns across the region
Continued to make representations to government and other stakeholders on all matters relating to early childhood deafness
Commenced a review and upgrade of the First Voice website. | - Reviewed operating arrangements of our research and clinical advisory committees to provide better outcomes and support to members
Maintained an active program of clinical collaboration across member organisations, standardising assessment protocols, discussing common issues and fostering clinical collaboration and learning
Continued the collaboration of business managers across member organisations to share and foster improved business practice across member organisations
Maintained our practice of First Voice members seed funding all new projects on an as-need basis. | - Met in Canberra in August 2015 and reviewed and updated our strategic plan
Strengthened relationships with key stakeholders in relation to common issues throughout the year
Held our annual Colloquium in February 2016, which included a key stakeholder forum in Sydney
Partnered and supported the efforts of overseas based listening and spoken language organisations
Liaised at a state level with all major supporters and suppliers associated with Loud Shirt Day
Continued to collaborate with funding partners and supporters, providing updates on major projects and areas of mutual interest.

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ANNUAL HIGHLIGHTS

ANNUAL HIGHLIGHTS Shaping policy through advocacy First Voice continues to advocate for children with and collaboration hearing loss across a broad range of issues While we have focused our efforts on the NDIS during We are working with the NDIS to advocate for the 2015/2016, we have also continued to advocate for the needs of children with hearing loss needs of children with hearing loss across a range of other As previously outlined, the NDIS continues to be an ongoing issues. We have undertaken advocacy in relation to the area of advocacy for First Voice. Our members continue sale or transfer of ownership of Australian Hearing; we to provide advice to the NDIA’s expert reference panel in have had input through our members to the review of relation to hearing loss, in addition to input and advocacy Medicare claiming for audiology and hearing loss; and we to the team responsible for services to children with hearing have submitted a response to the Review into the Service loss. We recognise that this is a large and complex scheme Delivery Framework for the Hearing Services Program – to implement and administer, however the NDIS is proving to Voucher Scheme. We continue to meet regularly with federal be a “difficult fit” with the childhood hearing services sector. and state parliamentarians to provide advice on issues and We are currently working with the NDIA to minimise any policies affecting children with hearing loss in the region. unintended impacts of the scheme on children with hearing loss. Creating knowledge and insight through research and studies We have created a coalition of stakeholders around We have commissioned an independent review of the NDIS service provider models Over the past 12 months, First Voice has sought to As we expect structural changes in the marketplace under strengthen its relationships with stakeholders within the the NDIS, First Voice has commissioned an independent sector who are united in their concern or advocacy of review of the effectiveness of different service provider children with hearing loss in relation to the NDIS. We are models, focusing primarily on a multi-disciplinary service currently working in collaboration with service provider model compared with sole practices. The purpose of the groups (working across listening and spoken language literature review, which is being conducted by Deloitte and Auslan modalities), consumer/parent groups and peak Access Economics, is to gather information from reputable bodies to bring a collective and united position to public worldwide sources on the communication, education, policy makers. We also continue to meet and consult broadly social, employment and wellbeing outcomes of deaf and with our stakeholders and industry colleagues and build hearing-impaired children participating in early intervention understanding and consensus over a range of issues relating programs. This report will be completed by late 2016. to childhood hearing loss. We have also commissioned a second report – a cost benefit First Voice proudly supports the national Break the analysis – to further examine the economic and social aspects Sound Barrier campaign of the First Voice model of listening and spoken language First Voice is a strong supporter of the national Break the early intervention for children who are deaf or hearing Sound Barrier campaign, which aims to put hearing health impaired and the resulting life outcomes. This is a follow on and wellbeing on the national political agenda. The campaign, study from an earlier cost benefit analysis conducted for First which launched with a series of advocacy activities in early Voice in 2011. This report should also be completed in late 2016, is uniting people who are living with hearing loss or ear/ 2016. balance disorders, service providers and health professionals. We welcome the opportunity to lend our support to this We continue to collect and analyse outcome data important campaign and to raise the profile of the needs of (known as Sound Outcomes) people with hearing loss in our community. First Voice member centres continue to collect listening and spoken language outcome data from children enrolled in their

early intervention programs. This data is consolidated into one of the largest collections of data on deaf and hearing-impaired children enrolled in early intervention services in the world. First Voice analyses and releases a report on its member centres’ collective outcome data on an annual basis. This data allows our members to track and measure the listening and spoken language outcomes of children receiving early intervention services and continue to review and improve their programs and services. We have focused this year on the continued improvement of our internal processes and our ongoing quality assurance.

First Voice plans School Leaver Study While First Voice member centres have extensive data on the progress of hearing-impaired children prior to the commencement of primary school, we have less detailed information on their progress and life experiences during their secondary school education and beyond. To fill that gap, First Voice is seeking to gain a better understanding of the social, educational and employment outcomes of children who received early intervention therapy from First Voice member centres and who have now finished school. This project will be completed in late 2016.

We have reviewed and updated our approach to collaborative research Our Research Advisory Committee oversees research undertaken by First Voice. The committee has reviewed its approach to research this year, seeking research collaborations and partnerships with research institutions and universities that have a special interest in hearing loss and related areas. To that end, the Research Advisory Committee has compiled a list of research questions of interest to First Voice and its member organisations and is inviting expressions of interest in collaborative research – accessing our large clinical dataset of children across Australia and New Zealand – from relevant organisations. We are currently in discussion with a range of potential research collaborators and expect to finalise our research program later in 2016.

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Power of Speech showcases the remarkable spoken language skills of children with hearing loss.

Raising awareness and celebrating achievement

Our young stars shine at the

Power of Speech Awards

Our third annual Power of Speech Awards was held in Canberra in August 2015. Twelve lucky children from Australia and New Zealand had the opportunity to speak to the nation’s leaders at a special event held at Parliament House. Sponsored by Cochlear Ltd, the event is an incredible showcase of what can be achieved by deaf and hearing-impaired children across the region.

All entrants presented a speech on a topic of their choice, showing off their confidence, speech and language skills, many on par with their hearing peers. Their skills had been honed through early intervention support and therapy provided by First Voice member centres across Australia and New Zealand.

Queensland’s Cale Gravagna, 7, and Western Australia’s Jacob Jay, 12, were named the 2015 Power of Speech Inspiration Award winners. Nine-year-old Cynthia Castaneda from Victoria was presented with the First Voice Courage Award. Our special guest speaker was the Federal Member for Reid, Mr Craig Laundy MP, who spoke about his own family’s experience with hearing loss.

The event aims to challenge common perceptions about what deaf children can achieve, while celebrating the remarkable outcomes possible for children who receive cochlear implants and listening and spoken language early intervention therapy through the First Voice member network.

Australia and New Zealand get even louder

Australia and New Zealand both celebrate Loud Shirt Day – giving schools, businesses and individuals the opportunity to support centres providing listening and spoken language services to deaf and hearing impaired children irrespective of where they live and work.

The Australian Loud Shirt Day was held in October 2015, with more than 1,000 schools, workplaces and families holding loud and colourful events across Australia. More than $300,000 was raised to support children who are deaf and hearing impaired across Australia. The New Zealand Loud Shirt Day was held slightly earlier, in September 2015, and it too achieved incredible support and success.

We’d like to thank everyone who continues to support deaf children through their participation in Loud Shirt Day, and take our loud hats off to the hard working marketing and communication teams in all of our member centres who throw themselves so whole heartedly into creating amazing events for our supporters and friends each year.

All First Voice member centres receive only a portion of their funding from state and federal governments, and rely heavily on corporate and community support and fundraising to raise the funds necessary to deliver intensive therapy services to those families that need them.

More than 1,000 schools, workplaces and families supported Australia’s Loud Shirt Day in 2015.

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CENTRE & FAMILY HIGHLIGHTS

New horizons for Cora Barclay Centre

This year marks the 70th anniversary of Cora Barclay Centre and its antecedent, the South Australian Oral School & Kindergarten. We have a remarkable, pioneering history. It is a story of the absolute dedication of families and staff working together to achieve the best possible communication, education, and life outcomes for South Australian children who are deaf or hearing impaired. We are looking to the future – or new horizons - in this our 70th year. “New horizons” conveys our commitment to doing the utmost possible for every child who is hearing-impaired receiving our services, as well as looking beyond to the potential adoption of new services, technologies and opportunities within the political and funding environment in which we operate. Seventy years ago it was very difficult for a deaf child to learn to speak. Children were diagnosed late (2-3 years of age); hearing aids were primitive; and the science of teaching deaf children to talk was in its infancy. Deaf children learnt to sign to communicate, attended special schools for the deaf, and faced huge lifelong challenges and barriers in education, employment and social inclusion. Seventy years on - thanks to earlier diagnosis, advances in technology, and radical developments in early intervention - children attending our centre routinely achieve levels of speech, language and comprehension comparable to children with normal hearing of the same age. The vast majority of the students we support complete Year 12 and go on to further education. Notable highlights in 2015/2016 include:

Providing another year of outstanding outcomes for children in early intervention and student services. All six of our school leavers successfully completed Year 12.
The construction and commissioning of our new Westfield SA Resource Centre, which houses all of our books, aids, toys and other teaching and associated resources.
A further continuance of our relationship with Westfield SA to build an extension to our building at North Adelaide to house the burgeoning growth of student services.
The continuation of a strong and positive relationship with the NDIA both locally and nationally as together we address unresolved issues in relation to eligibility, duration and scope of services under the NDIS, interfaces with health and education and other state-based services and funding arrangements.

Bethany’s Story

— a graduate of Cora Barclay Centre

Travelling the world and pursuing a career in media communications

At 15 months of age, I was diagnosed as being profoundly deaf. It was hard for my parents, who were told I’d have to learn to sign, go to a school far away, and become a part of a community they knew nothing about.

But my life changed when I started at the Cora Barclay Centre. My parents were told the centre could help me to speak. I was fitted with hearing aids and started intensive auditory-verbal therapy.

I was two years old when my hearing was re-tested and the little hearing I had had deteriorated even further. More than a year later, I was implanted with a cochlear implant.

To this day I still remember running outside and hearing things I had never heard before. The sprinkler was pointed out to me, the birds flew above, the clock was ticking and the pram with my younger brother in it was rolling along the path.

I finished high school in 2011 at the top of my class in four of five of my final year subjects. I achieved an ATAR in the 90s, and a merit for my research project on Australian Children’s magazines. I started my Bachelor Degree in Media, with a major in journalism in 2012.

In 2013, I studied abroad for a semester in California, USA. In 2014, I received a scholarship to travel to Japan to study media. I did not know a word of Japanese, but that did not stop me from having an incredible time.

I finished my Bachelor’s degree in 2014, juggling three part time jobs. I completed internships at the ABC, Radio Adelaide and Total Girl Magazine.

In 2015, I was accepted into RMIT’s media communication honours program in Melbourne. To this day, no one knows about my hearing loss unless I tell them. I know I face different challenges but I am proud of what I have already achieved, and know I will go on to achieve more.

I am so grateful to my parents, the Cora Barclay Centre, my family, my churches and my schools. Because of them, I have the ability to live a wonderful and adventurous life. I wake up every day excited of what it will bring. The day isn’t started until my cochlear implant is on!

Bethany Cora Barclay Centre graduate

I still remember running outside and hearing things I had never heard before.

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Hear and Say is increasing its reach and impact across Queensland

‘Think hearing first’ has become a new catch cry for the team at Hear and Say. This message has been gathering pace as the team seek to educate and inform the general public and health professionals on the critical importance of ensuring that children can hear and be heard.

Key to this communication is incorporating hearing checks as a part of parents’ ‘Back to School’ routine. World Hearing Day on March 3 was marked by the rollout of Hear and Say’s School Hearing Screening Program. The program provided an opportunity to advocate for universal hearing screening for all school-aged children. More than 6,000 students have been screened in Queensland in 2015/2016.

Our work with children with hearing loss and their families continues to provide new opportunities. This year we have seen an increased number of children and young teens with unilateral hearing loss receiving cochlear implants.

Our expertise in the field of human bionics was recognised by the Queensland Government through its Advance Queensland grant, which provided funds to support an alliance between Hear and Say and the Queensland University of Technology. The first stage of this project will focus on the printing and bio fabrication of 3D ears for children with Microtia.

Hear and Say has worked closely with other First Voice member centres in preparing for the transition to the NDIS, which rolled out in Queensland in July 2016. A working group has sourced information, developed resources, and educated staff, families, GPs and health professionals as a part of the planning phase.

Hear and Say has supported First Voice and the Deafness Forum in advocating to ‘Break the Sound Barrier’ as a part of the recent federal election and continues to support the six point plan with Hear and Say specifically advocating for:

hearing checks for all Australian children at key stages of life
a national hearing awareness promotion campaign
ensuring children do not fall through the gaps with changes to the way hearing devices and services are delivered.

From little things, big things grow: we were thrilled to have two of our Hear and Say mums fill gaps in the market. Mum Heidi published her first children’s picture book titled ‘The Cochlear Kids: Liam the Superhero’ and another parent Alana launched ‘Listen Lids’, a swim cap for cochlear implant retention during water play.

Katie’s Story — a graduate of Hear and Say

Katie’s dream of working in fashion is that much closer to reality

Katie first came to Hear and Say when she was just 14 months old, initially relying on hearing aids. Hear and Say Founder Dimity Dornan recalls that Katie was a bubbly and energetic little girl with the cutest crop of blonde curls.

Katie received her first cochlear implant at four years of age and her second when she was 12. As they say in storybooks, the rest is history, even the curls it would seem.

We asked Katie to share a little about where she is now.

“I am currently in my final year studying a Bachelor of Creative Industries majoring in fashion and journalism at QUT,” she said.

“Over the past few years, I have been lucky to have some great opportunities to explore my career, with work experience placements at magazines Shop Til You Drop and Dolly in Sydney. I have recently completed an internship at Style Magazine working with the digital team in Brisbane and even had a few articles published.

These experiences have fuelled my desire to work in fashion even more than I thought possible.

“I am incredibly excited to have found out recently that I was one of just 32 students accepted to be a part of the QUT ‘New York Creative Cities’ study tour as part of my degree. It will see me go to New York, a city I have dreamt of going to for years, in November this year. I will get the chance to explore the city’s museums, landmarks and of course, the fashion.

“There are so many things I want to do and see, including travelling around the world and building up a career in the fashion industry. This freedom to choose what I want to do would not be possible without Hear and Say, its incredible team and the wonderful people who support their work.”

Hear and Say graduate Katie

My study and work experience opportunities have fuelled my desire to work in the fashion industry.

Delivering family-centred, evidence-based practice and monitoring childrens’ outcomes

Taralye had a positive year with achievements across the organisation. Approximately 6,500 children and their families received services, which included support for 285 children with hearing impairment. This represents an eight per cent increase in the number of children accessing our service compared to the same period last year.

During the year Taralye reviewed its strategic plan and confirmed organisational goals for 2016/2018, focusing on service accessibility, leadership and professional development for staff and financial sustainability. As part of enhancing service accessibility we have undertaken to establish a centre in the western metropolitan region of Melbourne in early 2017 and to develop our tele-practice service.

In addition we increased our service delivery within the school-age population with a total of 43 children being supported and our small group early intervention program expanded with groups being offered in Blackburn, Gowanbrae and Geelong on a regular basis.

Our preparations for the NDIS transition years continued following our participation in the scheme’s trial in the Barwon region during 2013 to 2016. We have been represented on the NDIA expert reference group for early childhood deafness and have liaised closely with the state government Department of Education and Training to ensure a seamless transition to the individualised funding model. During 2015/2016 we supported 19 children through the NDIS and we expect this number to increase progressively in line with the rollout of the NDIS in Victoria over the next three years.

This year we were proud to acknowledge significant achievements of four past students. Nine-year-old Cynthia Castaneda and eight-year-old Ethan Goktepe provided exceptional representation for Taralye at the First Voice Power of Speech event in Canberra in August. Past students Sam Greatorex and Sam McLarty have also received well-deserved recognition. Sam Greatorex was awarded the 2015 Deaf Sports Australia Male Athlete of the Year for his outstanding results in swimming, and Sam McLarty was appointed school captain of Yarra Valley Grammar.

Collated outcomes for children who graduated from our early intervention program to commence their formal school years in 2016 showed speech and language results comparable with their hearing peers. We acknowledge the collaborative work of parents and staff and the generous support of our donors and volunteers in making these outcomes possible.

Sam’s Story — A Graduate of Taralye

Representing Australia in the pool and setting new records.

Sam was diagnosed with profound bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and received a cochlear implant at the age of 14 months.

Mum Carmel remembers the choices they made to give Sam the best possible start. “We poured over information about what was on offer and decided to move to Melbourne to access cochlear implant support and oral language early intervention at Taralye”.

“With the compassionate help of Taralye staff, we were wonderfully supported and settled into the early intervention programs and then kindergarten where Sam grew into a very lively and full-on little boy with lots of friends”.

Sam was enrolled into Taralye’s early intervention program at 18 months old and began one-to-one therapy to develop his listening, speech and language skills. He progressed through Taralye’s group programs and kindergarten in readiness for school.

Supported by Taralye in the transition to mainstream schooling, Sam, now 17 years-old, has thrived at school and his deafness has been no barrier to reaching his dreams, one of which—representing Australia in the pool—was recently fulfilled.

“I call myself a swimmer,” said Sam. “It’s what I do, it’s who I am. It defines me even more than my deafness. Although I do sometimes call myself a ‘deaf swimmer’ in instances, such as, when I represented Australia at the Deaf World Swimming Championships in Texas last year”.

Sam holds four Australian Open records and eight Australian age records in swimming freestyle and backstroke and was recently awarded the Deaf Sports Australia’s Male Athlete of the Year title. Through his hard work and steely determination, Sam is bound to achieve his future aspirations of representing Australia at the Deaflympics in Turkey in 2017 and then at the Commonwealth Games or the Olympics.

Carmel said: “I’m sure all of the wonderful people at Taralye who taught Sam feel satisfaction that they played a part in his success as an elite swimmer and maturing young man”.

Taralye graduate Sam I call myself a swimmer. It,s who I am. It defines me even more than my deafness.

A transformational year of growth, change and achievement At an organisational level, extensive work was completed across all programs and teams to meet our strategic goals for program excellence, service development, financial sustainability, and fundraising excellence. During the year Telethon Speech & Hearing opened new speech pathology and psychology clinics in Cockburn and secured a service site for early intervention hearing impaired, audiology and private specialist clinics in the southern metropolitan regions of Perth. We also opened two new outposts in Perth for students who are deaf or hearing impaired. Enrolments in this area are increasing and for the first time ever, we reached a milestone of 50 students. Our ear health program and partnership with Chevron Australia in the Pilbara continues to go from strength to strength. During the year we participated in many community events such as NAIDOC Week, Hearing Awareness Week and family fun days across both metropolitan and regional WA. Our hearing services team also delivered ENT triage using tele-health clinics for the first time. Telethon Speech & Hearing is now a registered provider of services through NDIS (also known as My Way in WA) and our teams have worked throughout the year to develop approved early intervention, trans-disciplinary program packages for eligible children and families living in trial sites. Work has also commenced on the development of school aged support packages. Other highlights for the year include:

Commencing a series of public seminars offering learning opportunities for professionals and families. Two seminars were delivered by June 2016.
Achieving publication in journal articles, dissertations, and a comprehensive resource book on best practices for ear health and hearing.
Delivering nine presentations across various forums, including a national conference, a local conference, a professional forum and a university.
Receiving accolades for two of our students, Jacob Jay and Elivia Robbins, who presented speeches at the National Power of Speech Awards at Parliament House, Canberra. Jacob Jay was the overall winner for his age group.
Receiving a commitment from Chevron Australia to continue working with TSH up to 2018.
Chairing the First Voice Research Advisory Committee.

Elijah’s Story

— a graduate of Telethon Speech & Hearing

Enabling Elijah’s cheeky, caring and friendly personality emerge

Elijah Ray began his journey at Telethon Speech & Hearing as a quiet, frustrated boy who was unable to express his needs and wants in an appropriate manner.

Elijah had passed his newborn hearing screening; however, his mother Sally had become concerned about his development. Following her intuition Sally had Elijah’s hearing tested, and at the age of two years old Elijah was diagnosed with a sensorineural hearing loss. This diagnosis led the family to Telethon Speech & Hearing’s early intervention hearing impairment program.

After many tough months of Elijah becoming frustrated with his inability to express himself, which included him continuously pulling out his hearing aids and numerous middle ear infections and tonsillitis, the family and his auditory-verbal therapist had a break through. Elijah started to spontaneously put words together such as “shoe off”.

Soon his cheeky, caring, friendly personality emerged. Elijah and his family were also supported in their journey by Telethon Speech & Hearing’s program support allied health team. Elijah accessed our occupational therapists and psychologists to assist with his development and prepare him for kindy.

Over time, Elijah began to develop his independence in individual therapy sessions and in group settings. He became the “helper”, always offering his friends help when they needed support with an activity and he became able to communicate his needs and wants clearly to his friends and adults.

After two years in the early intervention hearing impairment program, Elijah flourished into a competent, adventurous, happy boy. He has now graduated from the program and commenced in Telethon Speech & Hearing’s school support program.

It was a true joy for Telethon Speech & Heating to be a part of this journey with Elijah and his family.

Telethon Speech & Hearing graduate Elijah Elijah became an invaluable helper, always there to support his friends when they needed it.

annual report 23

Major building underway, new adult services, and a newly launched outcomes report

The Hearing House produced its first annual outcomes report in 2015. Work on our clinical database over many years culminated in the document that provides information on the makeup of our program and outcomes for children attending mainstream school in the 2014/2015 period.

The report provides information about the number of children being referred to The Hearing House, the number receiving implants and statistics relating to deprivation, ethnicity, the number of languages being spoken or learnt, what type of school they are attending and whether or not a child has more than one disability. It also compares language scores of graduates. This information will give The Hearing House useful data to evaluate and monitor its programs, and subsequently design new services.

A highlight of this reporting period is the signing of the construction contract for our new $7.7 million facility.

As part of the redevelopment, the original building used by The Hearing House (a former vicarage) will be refurbished and an adjoining 800sqm two-storey building will be built next door. The facility will include therapy rooms, audiology booths, a sensory integration room, a home education suite and workshop and lecture spaces.

As part of the development project, we have also relocated our preschool to the rear of the property. The purpose-built facility caters for hearing-impaired children as well as hearing pre-schoolers from the local community. The rebuilt and re-named Joyce Fisher Preschool opened in July 2015.

The new building will also enable us to start offering services to adults with cochlear implants thanks to a partnership with the University of Auckland. A Memorandum of Intent has been signed which will allow us to deliver cochlear implant services to 450 adult clients from October 2017. This will give The Hearing House a total of 700 clients – children, teenagers and adults.

The number of children in our program continues to increase, particularly in regards to the hearing aided therapy service.

Isla’s Story

— a graduate of The Hearing House

Thriving at school and building a rich mix of hobbies and interests

The Hearing House’s mission is to enable deaf or hearing-impaired children to listen and speak like their hearing peers using the principles of auditory-verbal therapy in a language-rich environment where children learn alongside their hearing parents.

The Gilby family’s story reflects this success. Isla was only two days old when she was diagnosed with hearing loss. Isla’s mum Shona said they knew there was a 25 per cent chance that Isla was deaf due to her older sibling being deaf, but it was still a daunting prospect.

Thanks to early intervention, Isla received bilateral cochlear implants at five months old. Her cochlear implants, along with help from The Hearing House, have enabled her to excel in spoken language. Isla is now seven years old and is a high achiever at school. She is achieving excellent language scores across the board since graduating from The Hearing House’s speech language and auditory-verbal therapy program.

The Hearing House has given Isla and her family the tools, support and knowledge to listen and speak with confidence. Isla does not let her deafness hold her back; she works with what she has and gives everything her all. She loves public speaking and her speech and language skills are far beyond many others in her age group. She’s also involved in the Keas (part of sea scouts), learning piano and taken up netball - further showing that the sky is the limit for Isla and other deaf kids.

“The Hearing House has been 100 per cent amazing,” says Isla’s mum Shona. “They look after children from the moment they step foot in the door and help point the family in the right direction,” she said. “They also work hard to accommodate everyone’s needs,” she said.

This is part of the specialised support The Hearing House provides, creating a nurturing environment that in turn helps children with hearing loss participate fully and excel in the hearing world.

Isla The Hearing House graduate

Isla loves public speaking and her speech and language skills are far beyond many others in her age group.

A new four-year plan

Only 50 per cent of children aged six and under with hearing loss in NSW are receiving the specialised early intervention they need, from us or any other service provider.

We are committed to rectifying this unacceptable situation and ensuring that every child with hearing loss has the opportunity to access the specialised services needed to develop listening and spoken language to help support their development in life. Our plan for this – our vision for a ‘Sound Future’ – has been developed over the past 12 months and will be implemented over the next four years.

We have already seen a dramatic increase in the number of children that have turned to us for support. At the end of 2015, we had an increase of 50 per cent of children that graduated from our early intervention program, breaking all previous records.

Our generous supporters have enabled ongoing development of the scope and range of services that we provide. Despite the federal government ceasing to fund our tele-intervention program, we’ve supported more children in areas where they aren’t able to access a local service (such as Tasmania and regional NSW). We are thankful to our supporters that have made this possible.

We’ve also established our social skills program - ‘FICAP Confident Kids’ - one of our greatest accomplishments of 2015, which has been extended to our ‘Confident Kids in the Classroom’ program for older children.

We have seen an increase in the number of families turning to us in Western Sydney and we are seeking a new centre in the Campbelltown area to service these children. We are proceeding with plans for expansion in that area and subsequently into other regions as well.

The success of our four-year plan will be closely tied to the rollout of the NDIS. The NDIS has been rolled out in Canberra where nearly all of our children are on an NDIA approved program. In some other NDIS sites around Australia the government has not funded children with the level of support that they need. We are monitoring the situation closely in NSW.

It has been a busy year for our highly skilled clinicians who have presented at conferences around the world. This has continued to raise our profile and highlight the importance of our work, providing services and advocating on behalf of children with hearing loss and their families.

leah’s Story

— a graduate of The Shepherd Centre

Soon to embark on a career as a primary school teacher

Twenty-six-year-old Leah McConnell first attended The Shepherd Centre in 1992 after being diagnosed with severe-profound hearing loss. Leah received a cochlear implant at aged four, and spent her early years learning to listen and speak under the guidance of The Shepherd Centre’s speech and language therapist Dr Anne Fulcher.

“Leah was very determined as a little girl,” remembers Dr Fulcher. “She was always incredibly cheeky and lots of fun. She is a great role model to other families to showcase how our children go on to achieve such great things.”

Nowadays, Leah is a full time student who loves travel, going to the beach, spending time with friends and family, playing tennis and skiing. Her travels have already taken her to England, Ireland, France, Spain, Switzerland, Italy, Singapore, Bali, Fiji, New Zealand and Hawaii.

Leah is now in her final year at Macquarie University where she is undertaking a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education – a role in which she hopes to make a difference to the lives of others, in the same way The Shepherd Centre had such an enormous impact on her own young life.

“My experiences have taught me that it takes a community to raise a child. My parents wouldn’t have been able to do that without the support of services such as The ShepherdCentre,” said Leah.

“I would strongly recommend families and health professionals get access to support services and resources as early as possible, in order to give every child the best start in life – just as I had. The dedication and positive direction given by the wonderful team at The Shepherd Centre have helped shape who I am today.”

As she looks forward to graduating from University and embarking on a new career as a primary school teacher, Leah says she will use her own childhood experiences to help guide her approach to giving every child the chance to reach their fullest potential.

“I believe it is important that we continue to recognise children as capable learners, regardless of their disability,” she said. “I feel that I am very much a part of the hearing world, achieving milestones in life such as completing my HSC and getting in to university – my hearing impairment has never held me back.”

Leah The Shepherd Centre graduate

I feel like I am very much part of the hearing world. My hearing impairment has never held me back.

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5

RESEARCH, PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

First Voice plays a leadership role within the early childhood hearing loss sector, advocating for evidence-based early intervention services for children who are deaf or hearing-impaired.

Our members maintain an active research agenda and work with leading research institutions to conduct research relevant to infants, children and young people with hearing loss in our region.

First Voice is committed to providing evidence-based research to inform and influence public health policy and clinical practice across our region.

RESEARCH PROJECTS

Hear and Say

Newborn hearing screening in Queensland: Comparison of hearing screening and diagnostic audiological assessment between term and preterm infants.

Mr Tom Pearson, MPhil candidate, University of Queensland; Prof David Tudehope, University of Queensland, Mater Research Institute; Dr Wendy Arnott, Hear and Say/University of Queensland; Dr Rachel Beswick, Healthy Hearing, Children’s Health Queensland Hospital & Health Service; Dr Ristan Greer, Mater Research Institute; Dr Dimity Dornan, Hear and Say; Dr Trent Calcutt, University of Queensland.

Literacy development in children with cochlear implants.

Ms Nicola Bell, PhD candidate University of Queensland; Dr Anthony Angwin, The University of Queensland; Dr Wendy Arnott, Hear and Say/University of Queensland; Associate Professor Wayne Wilson, The University of Queensland.

Language impairment from infancy to adulthood.

Ms Rebecca Banney, PhD candidate, University of Queensland; Dr Wendy Arnott, Hear and Say/University of Queensland; Associate Professor Katie McMahon, University of Queensland; Professor David Copland, University of Queensland; Associate Professor James Scott, University of Queensland; Professor Andrew Whitehouse, Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia.

Persuasive writing outcomes in children with hearing loss who received early auditory-verbal therapy.

Ms Claire Zhang, Honours candidate, University of Queensland; Dr Wendy Arnott, Hear and Say/University of Queensland.

The literacy (NAPLAN) outcomes of children with permanent hearing loss who receive auditory-verbal therapy.

Ms Emma Shaw, Honours candidate, University of Queensland; Dr Wendy Arnott, Hear and Say/University of Queensland.

Microtia and atresia: Next generation prosthetic ears using advanced 3D printing and biofabrication technology (Futurehear).

Dr Dimity Dornan, Hear and Say; Dr Wendy Arnott, Hear and Say; Ms Emma Rushbrooke, Hear and Say; Ms Simone Cheadle, Hear and Say; Associate Professor Mia Woodruff, Queensland University of Technology; Dr Sean Powell, Queensland University of Technology; Ms Rena Cruz, PhD candidate, Queensland University of Technology; Ms Maureen Ross, Hear and Say.

Speech and language outcomes of an auditory-verbal therapy program for young children with hearing loss.

Dr Wendy Arnott, Hear and Say; Dr Dimity Dornan, Hear and Say; Ms Emma Rushbrooke, Hear and Say; Ms Jessica Balfour-Ogilvy, Hear and Say; Ms Lynda Close, Hear and Say; Prof Louise Hickson, Health & Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Queensland.

The effectiveness of telemedicine for teaching listening and spoken language to children with hearing loss.

Ms Emma Rushbrooke, Hear and Say; Dr Dimity Dornan, Hear and Say; Mrs Jackie Brown, Hear and Say; Mrs Jane McGovern, Hear and Say; Ms Michelle Ryan, Hear and Say; Dr Monique Waite, Hear and Say; Dr Anne Hill, Health & Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Queensland.

Telehealth implementation of cochlear implant mapping across the lifespan.

Professor Robert Eikelboom, Ear Science Institute; Dr Monique Waite, University of Queensland; Dr Dimity Dornan, Hear and Say; Dr Anne Hill, University of Queensland; Dr Wendy Arnott, Hear and Say; Ms Emma Rushbrooke, Hear and Say; Ms Karen Pedley, Attune; Ms Gemma Upson, University of Western Australia; Professor Trevor Russell, University of Queensland; Professor Deborah Theodoros, University of Queensland.

Auditory brain function in children with cochlear implants – MEG study.

Distinguished Prof Stephen Crain, Macquarie University ARC Centre of Excellence in Cognition and its Disorders; A/Prof Blake Johnson, Macquarie University; Dr Wei He, Macquarie University; Ms Joann Tang, Macquarie University; Ms Rebecca Gelding, Macquarie University; Mr David Meng, Macquarie University; Dr Dimity Dornan, Hear and Say.

Going digital: Enabling caregivers to optimise the linguistic environment for children with significant hearing loss. Ms Dawn Choo, PhD candidate, University of Melbourne and The HEARing Cooperative Research Centre; Dr Shani Dettman, University of Melbourne; Prof Richard Dowell, University of Melbourne; Prof Robert Cowan, The HEARing Cooperative Research Centre; Dr Wendy Arnott, Hear and Say; Emma Rushbrooke, Hear and Say; Amy Russell, Hear and Say.

Long term literacy outcomes for children who receive cochlear implants younger than 12 months. Dr Shani Dettman, University of Melbourne; Prof Robert Cowan, The HEARing Cooperative Research Centre.

Improving hearing healthcare access and outcomes – paediatric stream. Professor Louise Hickson, The HEARing CRC, The University of Queensland; Dr Monique Waite, The University of Queensland; Dr Carly Meyer, The University of Queensland; Dr Dimity Dornan, Hear and Say; Ms Emma Rushbrooke, Hear and Say; Dr Nerina Scarinci, The University of Queensland; Dr Wendy Arnott, Hear and Say; Dr Katie Ekberg, The University of Queensland; Dr Caitlin Grenness, University of Melbourne; Prof. Robert Cowan, The HEARing Cooperative Research Centre.

Longitudinal outcomes of children with hearing impairment (LOCHI study). Dr Teresa Ching, National Acoustic Laboratories & The HEARing Cooperative Research Centre; Associate Professor Harvey Dillon, National Acoustic Laboratories & The HEARing Cooperative Research Centre.

An exploration of the interaction between healthcare professionals, children and families in paediatric hearing habilitation programs. Dr Katie Ekberg, University of Queensland; Prof Louise Hickson, University of Queensland; Dr Nerina Scarinci, University of Queensland; Dr Carly Meyer, University of Queensland.

Predictors of language in infants with hearing impairment (Maternal Education). Dr Teresa Ching, National Acoustic Laboratories & The HEARing Cooperative Research Centre; Dr Dimity Dornan, Hear and Say; Dr Wendy Arnott, Hear and Say.

annual report 29

Does the fitting of devices improve outcomes for children with unilateral hearing loss? Dr Teresa Ching, National Acoustic Laboratories & The HEARing Cooperative Research Centre; Ms Emma Rushbrooke, Hear and Say; Dr Wendy Arnott, Hear and Say.

The Shepherd Centre

Acquisition of plural morphology. Ben Davies PhD candidate, Macquarie University; Prof Katherine Demuth, Macquarie University Language Lab; Aleisha Davis, The Shepherd Centre/Macquarie University.

Atypical development of theory of mind in children with cochlear implants. Felicity Chu, Honours student, Sydney University; Dr Steven Cummings, Sydney University; Dr Maree Doble, Sydney University; Aleisha Davis, The Shepherd Centre.

The effect of poor theory of mind on social and pragmatic skills in children with hearing loss using cochlear implants. William Widjaja, Honours student, Sydney University; Dr Steven Cummings, Sydney University; Dr Maree Doble, Sydney University; Aleisha Davis, The Shepherd Centre.

Optimising spoken language outcomes in children with hearing loss. Aleisha Davis PhD candidate, Macquarie University; Prof Bob Cowan, Hearing CRC; Dr Elisabeth Harrison, Macquarie University.

Going digital: Enabling caregivers to optimise the linguistic environment for children with significant hearing loss. Ms Dawn Choo, PhD candidate, University of Melbourne and The HEARing Cooperative Research Centre; Dr Shani Dettman, University of Melbourne; Prof Richard Dowell, University of Melbourne; Prof Robert Cowan, The HEARing Cooperative Research Centre; Aleisha Davis, The Shepherd Centre; Dr Wendy Arnott, Hear and Say; Emma Rushbrooke, Hear and Say; Amy Russell, Hear and Say.

Predictors of anxiety disorder symptoms in children with hearing impairment. Johanna Long, Honours student, Macquarie University; Professor Jennie Hudson, Centre for Emotional Health, Macquarie University; Aleisha Davis, The Shepherd Centre.

Cortical evaluations of children with auditory neuropathy using the HEARLab. Dr Kirsty Gardner-Berry, National Acoustic Laboratories, Hearing CRC; Dr Teresa Ching, National Acoustic Laboratories; Dr Harvey Dillon, National Acoustic Laboratories.

Longitudinal outcomes of children with hearing impairment (LOCHI). Dr Teresa Ching, National Acoustic Laboratories & The HEARing Cooperative Research Centre; Associate Professor Harvey Dillon, National Acoustic Laboratories & The HEARing Cooperative Research Centre.

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 (internal research project). Aleisha Davis, The Shepherd Centre.

Managing unilateral hearing loss in infants: Why one ear is not enough (internal research project). Aleisha Davis, The Shepherd Centre.

Enhancing access beyond geography: Shifting services into the virtual domain (internal research project). Aleisha Davis, The Shepherd Centre.

‘No discipline is an island’: Scaffolding support to maximise family engagement (internal research project). Aleisha Davis, The Shepherd Centre.

Listening - The Building Block for language and literacy: Changing progress, changing outcomes (internal research project). Aleisha Davis, The Shepherd Centre.

Telethon Speech & Hearing

The effect of graphical feedback on verbal interactions between parents and children with hearing impairment. Dr Yuriko Kishida, Telethon Speech & Hearing/Macquarie University Special Education Centre, Macquarie University/School of Psychology and Speech Pathology, Curtin University; Dr Coral Kemp, Macquarie University Special Education Centre, Macquarie University; Associate Professor Cori Williams, School of Psychology and Speech Pathology, Curtin University.

The evaluation of the Pilbara Ear Health Model of Care: Health education promotion for teachers and health professionals. Dr Yuriko Kishida, Telethon Speech & Hearing/ School of Psychology and Speech Pathology, Curtin University; Associate Professor Cori Williams, School of Psychology and Speech Pathology, Curtin University; Peta Monley, Telethon Speech & Hearing; Jay Krishnaswamy, Telethon Speech & Hearing; Karen Thomas, Telethon Speech & Hearing.

Sight and sound: A history of deaf education in Western Australia. Geoffrey Smith, History, Murdoch University; Professor Michael Sturma, School of Arts, Murdoch University.

Maternal capacity for reflective functioning and developmental correlates in children aged four years. Dr Matt Ruggiero, School of Psychology and Speech Pathology, Curtin University; Jonathan Marginis, School of Psychology and Speech Pathology, Curtin University.

The incidence of middle ear disease and hearing loss in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in the remote communities of Western Australia: 2012-2014. Julie Kim Nguyen, School of Psychology and Speech Pathology, Curtin University; Associate Professor Cori Williams, School of Psychology and Speech Pathology, Curtin University; Dr Yuriko Kishida, Telethon Speech & Hearing/School of Psychology and Speech Pathology, Curtin University.

Middle ear disease and hearing loss in Indigenous Western Australian children: Analysis of ear health data: 2012 – 2014. Vivian Lee, School of Psychology and Speech Pathology Curtin University; Associate Professor Cori Williams, School of Psychology and Speech Pathology, Curtin University; Dr Yuriko Kishida, Telethon Speech & Hearing/ School of Psychology and Speech Pathology, Curtin University.

Exploring the nurse practitioner role in Australia from the perspective of employers: A qualitative study. Stacy Leidel, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Curtin University; Dr Ruth McConigley, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Curtin University.

There and back again: From research to practice in early childhood intervention. Kate Moseley, School of Education, University of Western Sydney; Associate Professor Christine Johnston, School of Education, University of Western Sydney.

An online survey of mental health, wellbeing and school experiences of young people with chronic conditions in mainstream schools in WA. Dr Ashleigh Lin et al., Brain and Behaviour, Telethon Kids Institute.

Improving hearing healthcare access and outcomes – Paediatric stream. Professor Louise Hickson et al., School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland.

Self-regulatory speech training for children with specific language impairment and their typically developing peers. Dr Donna Bayliss, School of Psychology, The University of Western Australia; Dr Safiyyah Abdul Aziz, School of Psychology, The University of Western Australia; Professor Janet Fletcher, School of Psychology, The University of Western Australia.

The development of babbling and communication in infants at risk of cerebral palsy. Dr Roslyn Ward et al., Department of Paediatric Rehabilitation, Princess Margaret Hospital.

Enhancing the mental health and wellbeing of children with impaired hearing. Professor Donna Cross et al., Brain and Behaviour, Telethon Kids Institute.

Hearing House

First Voice: Sound Outcomes speech and language data. First Voice centres, Janet Digby, The Hearing House.

First Voice: School Leavers Project. First Voice centres, Gurdeep Singh, The Hearing House.

The effect of communication mode on outcomes for children with hearing loss: A review. Dr Julia Sarant, on behalf The Hearing House.

Taralye

Impact of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) on children with hearing impairment. Dr. Andrea Simpson, College of Science, Health and Engineering, La Trobe University; Lauryn Stewart, College of Science, Health and Engineering, La Trobe University.

The implementation of parents’ play. Prof. Karen Stagnitti, Department of Health and Social Development, Deakin University; Dr. Genevieve Pepin, Department of Health and Social Development, Deakin University; Rachel Smith, Department of Health and Social Development, Deakin University.

Literacy Intervention for pre-school children. Dr. Shani Dettman, University of Melbourne; Dr. Megan Gilliver, National Acoustic Laboratories; Sarah Draper. University of Melbourne.

annual report 31

CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS

Hear and Say

Dornan, D. (July, 2015). Human-bionics interface frontiers: Creating bionic solutions for mankind. Paper presented at The University of Queensland North American Lunchtime Lecture Series, Boston, MA, USA.

Rushbrooke, E., Arnott, W., Constantinescu, G., Davis, A., Dornan, D., & Phillips, R. (September, 2015). Sound Outcomes: A “First Voice” investigation of speech and language outcomes for Australian children. Paper presented at the MED-EL Conference, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Dornan, D. (September, 2015). Hear and Say: Global impact. Lecture presented to University of Queensland Speech Pathology students, Brisbane, Australia.

Rushbrooke, E., Hickson, L., Henry, B., Russell, T., Constantinescu, G., & Arnott, W. (November, 2015). Assessing the validity of remote MAPping for children with cochlear implants: User satisfaction and implementation. Paper presented at the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA) National Convention, Denver, Colorado, USA.

Banney, R., Arnott, W., Scott, J., McMahon, K., & Copland, D. (November, 2015). Receptive vocabulary change from childhood to adulthood: Evidence from an Australian birth cohort study. Paper presented at the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA) National Convention, Denver, Colorado, USA.

Banney, R., Arnott, W., Scott, J., Copland, D., McMahon, K., Whitehouse, A., & Khan, A. (May, 2016). Late talkers and later language outcomes: Predicting the different language trajectories. Paper presented at the Speech Pathology Australia National Conference, Perth, Australia.

Arnott, W., Rushbrooke, E., & Davis, A. (May, 2016). Children with hearing loss, early auditory-verbal intervention, and speech and language outcomes. Paper presented at the Speech Pathology Australia National Conference, Perth, Australia.

Dettman, S., Dowell, R., Choo, D., Arnott, W., Abrahams, Y., Davis, A., Dornan, D., Leigh, J., Constantinescu, G., Cowan, R., & Briggs, R. (May, 2016). Speech perception, production & language outcomes for children who receive cochlear implant(s) under 12 months: A multi-centre study. Paper presented at the 14th International Conference on Cochlear Implants, Toronto, Canada.

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. Paper presented at the Audiology Australia National Conference, Melbourne, Australia.

Rushbrooke, E. (May, 2016). Teleaudiology: Speech perception testing via the Internet. Paper presented at the Audiology Australia National Conference, Melbourne, Australia.

Rushbrooke, E. (May, 2016). Embedding telepractice into audiological models of service delivery: Meeting stakeholders needs. Paper presented as part of the Tele-practice Round Table at the Audiology Australia National Conference, Melbourne, Australia.

Arnott, W. & Wilson, W. (May, 2016). Auditory processing disorder (APD) or developmental language disorder? The role of speech language pathologists. Lecture presented to University of Queensland Speech Pathology students, Brisbane, Australia.

Arnott, W., Rushbrooke, E., & Davis, A. (June, 2016). Unilateral hearing loss and the impact of early amplification and auditory-verbal therapy on speech and language outcomes. Paper presented at the HEaring Across the Lifespan (HEAL), Cernobbio, Italy.

Arnott, W., Rushbrooke, E., & Davis, A. (June, 2016). Auditory-verbal therapy: The earlier the better! Paper presented at the HEaring Across the Lifespan (HEAL), Cernobbio, Italy.

Dettman, S., Dowell, R., Choo, D., Arnott, W., Abrahams, Y., Davis, A., Dornan, D., Leigh, J., Constantinescu, G., Cowan, R., & Briggs, R. (June, 2016). Long term speech perception, production, language and literacy outcomes for children who received cochlear implants younger than 12 months, and who are now adolescents. Paper presented at the HEaring Across the Lifespan (HEAL), Cernobbio, Italy.

Balfour-Ogilvy, J., Rushbrooke, E., Cheadle, S., & Arnott, W. (June, 2016). Microtia and atresia: Early auditory-verbal intervention and future directions. Paper presented at the HEaring Across the Lifespan (HEAL), Cernobbio, Italy.

Annual Report

Research Presentations

June 2016

Dornan, D., Calcutt, T., Beswick, R., & Tudehope, D. Comparison of hearing screening and diagnostic audiological process between term and preterm infants in Queensland. Poster presented at the HEaring Across the Lifespan (HEAL), Cernobbio, Italy.
Balfour-Ogilvy, J., Parr, M., Rushbrooke, E., & Arnott, W. Tele-practice for every child and family: Delivering early intervention and audiology services to families. Paper presented at the 3rd International Conference on Family Centred Early Intervention for Children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, Bad Ischl, Austria.
Brown, J., Rushbrooke, E., Balfour-Ogilvy, J., Cheadle, W., & Arnott, W. Early auditory-verbal intervention in atresia and microtia. Paper presented at the AG Bell National Convention, Denver, Colorado, USA.
Parr, M., Balfour-Ogilvy, J., Rushbrooke, E., & Arnott, W. Telepractice: Delivering early intervention and audiology services. Paper presented at the AG Bell National Convention, Denver, Colorado, USA.

May 2016

Abrahams, Y., Neal, K. & Davis, A. Is the glass half empty or half full? The impact of early intervention for children with unilateral hearing loss. Paper presented at Audiology Australia 21st National Conference 2016 Hearing for Life, Melbourne, Australia.
Davis, A., Neal, K., Abrahams, Y. & Hopkins, T. Shaping social and emotional development for children with delayed and alternate patterns of theory of mind acquisition with hearing loss. Paper presented at Audiology Australia 21st National Conference 2016 Hearing for Life, Melbourne, Australia.
Baldacchino, S., Davis, A., & Neal, K. The impact on communication, speech and language: Family engagement measures and outcomes. Paper presented at Speech Pathology Australia National Conference, Perth, Australia.
Davis, A., Neal, K. & Hansen, A. Listening: The building block for language and literacy. Changing progress, changing outcomes for children with hearing loss. Poster presented at Speech Pathology Australia National Conference, Perth, Australia.
Davis, A., Golab, J., & Neal, K. 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. Paper presented at Speech Pathology Australia National Conference, Perth, Australia.
Arnott, W., Rushbrooke, E. & Davis, A. Children with hearing loss, early auditory-verbal intervention, and speech and language outcomes. Collaborative paper presented at Speech Pathology Australia National Conference, Perth, Australia.
Abrahams, Y., Neal, K. & Davis, A. Defining the Power of One: Ways to provide effective support and intervention for families with children with unilateral hearing impairment. Workshop presented at Audiology Australia 21st National Conference 2016 Hearing for Life, Melbourne, Australia.

Additional Presentations May-June 2016

Dettman, S., Dowell, R., Choo, D., Arnott, W., Abrahams, Y., Davis, A., Dornan, D., Leigh, J., Constantinescu, G., Cowan, R. & Briggs. R. Long term communication outcomes for children who receive cochlear implants younger than 12 months: A multi-centre study. Collaborative paper presented at Audiology Australia 21st National Conference 2016 Hearing for Life, Melbourne, Australia.
Davis, A., Neal, K., Slack, D., Abrahams, Y. & Fulcher, A. Partnerships to enhance access, beyond geography: Intervention, communication and support in the virtual domain. Paper presented at Audiology Australia 21st National Conference 2016 Hearing for Life, Melbourne, Australia.
Abrahams, Y., Neal, K. & Davis, A. Evaluation and outcome measures for cochlear implantation for children with unilateral hearing loss. Paper presented at The 14th International Conference on Cochlear Implants & other Implantable Technologies, Toronto, Canada.
Davis, A., Neal, K., & Abrahams, Y. Enhancing access beyond geography: Shifting cochlear implant services into the virtual domain. Paper presented at The 14th International Conference on Cochlear Implants & other Implantable Technologies, Toronto, Canada.
Dettman, S., Dowell, R., Choo, D., Arnott, W., Abrahams, Y., Davis, A., Dornan, D., Leigh, J., Constantinescu, G., Cowan, R. & Briggs. R. Long term communication outcomes for children who receive cochlear implants younger than 12 months: A multi-centre study. Collaborative paper presented at The 14th International Conference on Cochlear Implants & other Implantable Technologies, Toronto, Canada.
Abrahams, Y., Davis, A., Neal, K., & Fulcher, A. Managing unilateral hearing loss in infants: Why one ear is not enough. Poster presented at 3rd International Congress of Family-Centred Early Intervention for Children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, Bad Ischl, Austria.

Page 34

Davis, A., Neal, K., Luscombe, S. & Fulcher, A. (June, 2016). ‘No Krishnaswamy, J., Monley, P., & Kishida, Y. (May 2016). Impact discipline is an island’: Scaffolding support to maximise family of education resources packs on the self-reported ear health engagement. Paper presented at 3rd International Congress knowledge of parents, teachers and health professionals in of Family-centred Early Intervention for children who are Deaf remote regions. Paper presented at the Audiology Australia or Hard of Hearing, Bad Ischl, Austria. National Conference 2016: Hearing for Life, Melbourne, Australia.

        Davis, A., Neal, K., Slack, D & Fulcher, A. (June, 2016).
        Partnerships to enhance access, beyond geography:                  Kishida, Y., & Williams, C. (May 2016). Using Language
         Intervention, communication and support in the virtual             Environment Analysis (LENA) in auditory-verbal therapy:
       domain. Poster presented at 3rd International Congress of           Perceptions of parents of children with hearing impairment.
       Family-centred Early Intervention for Children who are Deaf         Paper presented at the Speech Pathology Australia National
       or Hard of Hearing, Bad Ischl, Austria.                            Conference - Making Waves, Perth, Australia.

        Davis, A., Neal, K., Weller, J. & Fulcher, A. (June, 2016). Shaping       Monley, P., Krishnaswamy, J., & Kishida, Y. (May 2016).
         social and emotional development from birth: Changes in the         Localising a state program for effective service delivery:
       modelling of mental state language for children with delayed         Pilbara ear health model of care – Collective initiatives for
      and atypical theory of mind acquisition. Paper presented             better outcomes. Paper presented at the Audiology Australia
        at 3rd International Congress of Family-centred Early                National Conference 2016: Hearing for Life, Melbourne,
        Intervention for Children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing,             Australia.
     Bad Ischl, Austria.
                                                           Wigham, C., McNally, F., & Kishida, Y. (May 2016). Improve
        Arnott, W., Rushbrooke, W., Davis, A. (June, 2016). Auditory-          early language learning through use of coaching strategies
        verbal therapy: The earlier the better! Collaborative paper           with parents/caregivers. Workshop presented at the Speech
       presented at Hearing Across the Lifespan, Cernobbio, Lake          Pathology Australia National Conference - Making Waves,
     Como, Italy.                                                           Perth, Australia.

       Dettman, S., Dowell, R., Choo, D., Arnott, W., Abrahams, Y.,           McNally, F., Harmsen, B., Wigham, C., & Macoun, M. (May
        Davis, A., Dornan, D., Leigh, J., Constantinescu, G., Cowan,             2016). The holistic approach in early intervention. Paper
        R. & Briggs. R. (June, 2016). Speech, language and hearing           presented at the National Disability Services WA Clinical and
      outcomes for deaf children using cochlear implants: a                 Allied Health Forum, Perth, Australia.
       prospective long term study. Collaborative paper presented
                                                                      Monley, P. (May 2016). An overview of Telethon Speech &            at Hearing Across the Lifespan, Cernobbio, Lake Como, Italy.
                                                                     Hearing research and partnerships. Paper presented at the
                                                           DEAP. Express: Rese, Perth, Australia.

Telethon Speech & Hearing

       Krishnaswamy, J., Monley, P., & Kishida, Y. (July 2015).         Cora Barclay Centre
       Optimising children’s specialist ear health clinic attendance
                                                                           Marples, C. (October 2015). Classroom acoustics and            rates in rural and remote Aboriginal communities. Paper
                                                                          soundfield systems. Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia.           presented at the Aboriginal Health Conference: Healthy
        Families – Healthy Futures, Perth, Australia.                      Ward, R. (October 2015). Auditory-verbal therapy: The
                                                                        fundamentals. Flinders University, Audiology Department,            McNally, F. (August 2015). Auditory-verbal and hearing
                                                                           Adelaide, Australia.           impairment. A lecture presented to Curtin University Speech
       Pathology Students, Perth, Australia.                           Ward, R. (December 2015). Developing speech and language
                                                                   through auditory-verbal therapy. Speech Pathology            McNally, F., & Kishida, Y. (May 2016). Language Environment
                                                                   Department. Flinders University Expo, Adelaide, South            Analysis (LENA) as a therapy tool in the auditory-verbal
                                                                                     Australia.           therapy early intervention program. Paper presented at the
      Speech Pathology Australia National Conference - Making           Aschberger, G., Capon N., Marples, C. (February 2016).
      Waves, Perth, Australia.                                       Classroom strategies: High expectations for students who
                                                                        are deaf and hearing-impaired. Mainstream Teacher One-Day
         Conference, North Adelaide, Australia.

Thurling, S. (April 2016). Working collaboratively with audiologists. Australian Hearing Marion, Adelaide, Australia.

Marples, C. & Ward, R. (May 2016) First steps to wellbeing. Supporting the social and emotional wellbeing of children who are deaf or hard of hearing. Audiology Australia National Conference, Melbourne, Australia.

Ward, R. (June 2016). Importance of music for the deaf or hearing impaired child. The Virtual Music Education conference 2016. Online conference for music education.

Taralye

Bainbridge, J. (July 2015). Make the connection: Cultivating caregiver attachment in infants with hearing loss. Presented at the 2015 AG Bell Listening and Spoken Language Symposium, Denver, USA.

Leigh, K. & Moores-Chadwick, J. (August 2015). A cross-campus programme: From assessment to intervention. Australian Association of Teachers of the Deaf conference, Melbourne, Australia.

Charlton, M. (September 2015). Development of children with hearing impairment. Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.

Cronin, E. & Moores-Chadwick, J. (February 2016). Inclusive strategies for children attending preschool. Blackburn, Melbourne, Australia.

Charlton, M. (March 2016). Undertaking a comprehensive educational assessment – From preparation to writing the report and providing feedback. Australian Psychological Society’s specialist College of Educational and Developmental Psychologists, Melbourne, Australia.

Kelly, T. & Harrington-Johnson, H. (April 2016). The National Disability Insurance Scheme: forum for parents and professionals. Rosanna Golf Links School, Rosanna, Melbourne, Australia.

PUBLISHED RESEARCH AND OTHER PAPERS

Hear and Say

BOOKS

Rushbrooke, E., & Houston, K. T. (Eds.). (2015). Telepractice in Audiology. San Diego, CA; Plural Publishing.

BOOK CHAPTERS

Rushbrooke, E. & Houston, K. T. (2015). History, Terminology, and the Advent of Teleaudiology. In E. Rushbrooke & K. T. Houston (Eds.). Telepractice in Audiology (pp. 1-21). San Diego, CA; Plural Publishing.

Rushbrooke, E. (2015). Models of Service Delivery: What Should We Consider? In E. Rushbrooke & K. T. Houston (Eds.). Telepractice in Audiology (pp. 23-45). San Diego, CA; Plural Publishing.

von Muralt, M., Close, L., & Houston, K. T. (2015). Telerehabilitation in Audiology. In E. Rushbrooke & K. T. Houston (Eds.). Telepractice in Audiology (pp. 153-188). San Diego, CA; Plural Publishing.

Rushbrooke, E. & Atkinson, B. (2015). Potential for Telepractice in Audiology: A Review of Applications in Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Programs. In E. Rushbrooke & K. T. Houston (Eds.). Telepractice in Audiology (pp184-204). San Diego, CA; Plural Publishing.

Brown, J. & Evans, C. (2015). Maximizing Professional Development Opportunities Using Telepractice. In E. Rushbrooke & K. T. Houston (Eds.). Telepractice in Audiology (pp. 205-229). San Diego, CA; Plural Publishing.

Constantinescu, G. & Dornan, D. (2015). From Research to Clinical Practice: What Should We Consider? In. E. Rushbrooke & T. Houston, K. T. (Eds.). Telepractice in Audiology (pp. 231-246). San Diego, CA; Plural Publishing.

PEER REVIEWED JOURNAL ARTICLES

Tosh, R., Arnott, W., & Scarinci, N. (In press) Parent implemented home therapy programs for speech and language: A systematic review. International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders.

Calcutt, T. L., Dornan, D., Beswick, R. & Tudehope, D. I. (In press). Newborn hearing screening in Queensland 2009-2011: Comparison of screening and diagnostic audiological assessments between term and preterm infants. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health.

Plasmansa, A., Rushbrooke, E., Moranc, M., Spence, C., Theuwisa, L., D., Zarowskia, Hollow, R., Leigh, A., Offeciersa, J., Martelli, E., Atkinson, L., Cowane, B., R., McGovern, Looi, V., Del J., Dornan, Dot, J., Nelf, E., Mauger, S. (2016). Paediatric clinical evaluation of cochlear implant users upgrading to the Nucleus® 6 system. International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, 83, 193–199.

Page 36

Dettman, S., Dowell, R., Choo, D., Arnott, W., Abrahams, Y., Davis, A., Dornan, D., Leigh, J., Constantinescu, G., Cowan, R., & Briggs, R. (2016). Long term communication outcomes for children receiving cochlear implants younger than 12 months: A multi-centre 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.

Telethon Speech & Hearing

Lee, V. (2015). Middle ear disease and hearing loss in Indigenous Western Australian children: Analysis of ear health data: 2012 – 2014. Dissertation, Master of Speech Pathology, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia, Australia.

Marginis, J. (2016). The effect of anxiety on the emotional match of mother-child dyads in hearing impaired children. Dissertation, Master of Psychology (Counselling), Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia, Australia.

Monley, P., & Krishnaswamy, J. (Eds.). (2015). Pilbara ear health model of care including Pilbara ear health and hearing best practice workforce guidelines. Telethon Speech & Hearing, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.

Nguyen, J. K. (2015). The incidence of middle ear disease and hearing loss in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in the remote communities of Western Australia: 2012-2014. Dissertation, Master of Speech Pathology, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia, Australia.

Saetre-Turner, M., Williams, C., & Quail, M. (2015). The quality and quantity of caregiver-child interaction in hearing impaired and normally hearing children. The Journal of Clinical Practice in Speech-Language Pathology (JCPSLP), 17, 144-150.

Skinner, E. (2015). Early speech development in infants at familial risk of speech sound disorder. Dissertation, Bachelor of Science (Speech Pathology) with Honours in the School of Psychology and Speech Pathology, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia, Australia.

Wong, C., Ching, T., Whitfield, J., & Duncan, J. (2016). Online social participation, social capital and literacy of adolescents with hearing loss: A pilot study. Deafness & Education International Journal, 18:2, 103-116.

The Shepherd Centre

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.

Taralye

Moores-Chadwick, J. & Galloway, J. Transitioning from early intervention to primary school. Victorian Deaf Education Institute Video, July 2015.

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GOVERNANCE — Board of Directors (as at 30 June 2016)

Michael Forwood BA (Hons), MA (Health Services), LLB Chair (from October 2015) and Director, First Voice Chief Executive Officer, Cora Barclay Centre Experience & expertise: Michael has worked for more than 30 years in the health and disability services sector. He has been CEO and a member of the board at Cora Barclay Centre since 2006. Michael has held senior management roles with a range of organisations, including state departments of health and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. He was elected to the NDS state committee in South Australia in 2008 and has been involved in disability policy and planning matters in SA for many years. He has been an NDS representative on the 2011 Ministerial Steering Committee reviewing the SA Disability Services Act (1993), and a member of the SA Launch Site Working Party for the introduction of the NDIS. Special responsibilities: Chair (from October 2015). First Voice representative on matters relating to NDIS.

Therese Kelly BSc (Hons) Dip Aud, M Aud SA, AAICD, CCEO Chair (to October 2015) and Director, First Voice Chief Executive Officer, Taralye Experience & expertise: Therese has worked within the deafness field since graduating from university and was appointed CEO of Taralye in 2004. Her professional career includes positions within a variety of public and government organisations including metropolitan and rural hospitals, The University of Melbourne, Northern Territory Health, the National Acoustic Laboratories and the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute. Therese is a Fellow of the CEO Institute, and holds memberships of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, the Audiological Society of Australia and Early Childhood Intervention Association (Victoria). Therese is the outgoing Chair of First Voice, and a member of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) early childhood intervention services reference group in the NDIS Barwon launch site in Victoria. Special responsibilities: Chair (to October 2015). Member, Research Advisory Committee.

Scott Johnston B Com Deputy Chair and Director, First Voice Chief Executive Officer and Director The Hearing House Experience & expertise: Scott has been the CEO of The Hearing House for the past nine years. During his tenure the organisation has acquired the government contracts for paediatric cochlear implant services. This has led to significant growth in the number of children seen by The Hearing House and level of services provided to children and their families. The Hearing House is currently redeveloping its facilities and in 2017 will provide cochlear implant services to both children and adults. Prior to joining The Hearing House, Scott worked in large scale community event management and property consultancy. He is passionate about the work of The Hearing House and the outcomes that can be achieved for deaf children. Special responsibilities: Deputy Chair.

Jim Hungerford BVSc, GAICD

Director, First Voice Chief Executive Officer, The Shepherd Centre Experience & expertise: Appointed CEO of The Shepherd Centre in February 2011, Jim comes to the role with 30 years’ experience in health sciences. Prior to joining The Shepherd Centre, Jim held CEO positions in Australia and internationally, most recently CEO of Pareto Fundraising. Jim’s prior roles include CEO of Intervet in the United Kingdom, various senior management positions in companies in Germany and in the United States, and roles in the biotechnology sector. He is also a former private practice vet. Jim is also Chair and a director on two other not-for-profit boards.

Chris McCarthy MMgt; AssocDip Pers Admin

Director, First Voice Chief Executive Officer, Hear and Say Experience & expertise: Chris was appointed CEO of Hear and Say in 2012 having been with the organisation since 2007. Since his time at Hear and Say, the organisation has grown significantly and its staff now support more than 600 children who are deaf and their families. Chris oversees an expanding service network, with centres in Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Toowoomba, Cairns and Townsville and an e-health program for rural and remote families. Founded by Dr Dimity Dornan AO in 1992 and initially caring for six children, Hear and Say now boasts world leading outcomes, a research and innovation arm and a worldwide education and training group that is providing services to health professionals across the globe.

Peta Monley BA Hons (Psych), Post Grad (Audiology), Masters Health Science (Audiology)

Director, First Voice Chief Executive Officer, Telethon Speech & Hearing Experience & expertise: Joining the Telethon Speech & Hearing team in May 2013, Peta has an extensive background in senior management roles in audiology, occupational noise induced hearing loss, environmental conservation and academia. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Psychology, a Post Graduate Diploma in Audiology and a Master of Health Science (Audiology). Peta was the founder of iHear Australia, a successful audiological business, and was Lecturer and Clinical Coordinator for the Master of Clinical Audiology Program at the University of Western Australia. She is also a recipient of the Deafness Council WA, Dr Harry Blackmore Award – “for her major contributions to the deaf and hearing-impaired communities and those at risk of hearing impairment.” Special responsibilities: Chair, Research Advisory Committee.

annual report 39

Leadership and support roles

Our many achievements are due to the volunteer and other committees and work groups that support our work. In particular, we recognise the efforts of:

the Research Advisory Committee that oversees our research planning and direction.
the Clinical Advisory Committee that continues to lead the development of clinical standards and protocols across the First Voice regional network.
the National Fundraising Committee that plans and coordinates, with the support of fundraising teams at each member organisation, our annual Loud Shirt Day appeal each year.
our executive services, provided by Tamara Bruce, and strategic planning and advocacy, provided by Jenny Donnithorne.
our member and affiliated organisations and partner organisations.
our company secretarial and financial support services, provided by Tom Barry and Heather Mitchell respectively.

We also recognise the efforts of countless other staff and individuals that support the work of First Voice through our member and affiliated organisations and partner organisations.

Organisation and resource structure

The work of First Voice is supported by committees and volunteers from our member organisations. Our small support team is drawn from existing staff from member organisations and two part time contractors.

Summary of financial performance

During 2015/2016, First Voice continued to operate on a small budget, resourced primarily by volunteer committees, contributions and resources from member organisations and contractors. Total income for the year was $194k, comprising income from grants ($100,000), merchandise ($56k), membership fees ($27k) and other sources. Total expenditure for the year was $163k, with largest expenses associated with contractors and consultants ($102k), advertising and promotions ($20k) and sundry expenses ($19k). This resulted in a small net surplus of $30k for the period ended 30 June 2016. We have initiated a number of important new projects this year, and all projects have been scoped and fully funded prior to commencement. We are grateful to our members, who make additional contributions available from time to time to enable new projects and work to further our mission. Please visit our website (www.firstvoice.org.au) to view a copy of the Financial Report for the year ended 30 June 2016.

Organisation and resource structure

Cora Barclay Hear Telethon Speech The Hearing The Shepherd Taralye Centre and Say & Hearing House Centre Company Secretary

Research Clinical National Strategy and Advisory Advisory Fundraising Marketing Committee Committee Committee Consultant Executive Assistant

annual report 41

OTHER

Thank you

First Voice would like to thank everyone that has contributed to its activities, endeavours and achievements in 2015/2016. Thank you for your generosity, commitment and support.

In addition to our committees and staff, we would also like to thank:

COCHLEAR LIMITED – which continues to support our work. This enables us to contribute to the costs of our small operations team, which coordinates and enables our work. Cochlear is also a generous sponsor of our Power of Speech event in Canberra.
WORLDWIDE PRINTING SOLUTIONS – SOUTH BRISBANE – our print sponsor for Loud Shirt Day, which again provided all printed materials to support our 2015 annual appeal.
CARAT – our media planning and buying agency, which continues to support our Loud Shirt Day campaign with pro-bono media space.
OUR MEMBER AND AFFILIATED ORGANISATIONS – which provide both financial contributions and countless hours of effort from their dedicated teams. In particular, Hear and Say, which provides company secretarial and finance services to First Voice, and Taralye and Cora Barclay Centre, which have supported our role of Chair during 2015/2016.
OUR FRIENDS AND SUPPORTERS – both organisational and individuals — who support our mission in many different ways.

Your actions have enabled us to deliver the gift of sound and speech to children in our region.

Our Annual Report

FEEDBACK INVITED

Thank you for reading our First Voice Annual Report. We hope it has given you a good understanding of our activity and achievements over the 2015/2016 financial year.

Your feedback is welcome and valued and can be sent to us at contactus@firstvoice.org.au or posted to us at First Voice C/- Cora Barclay Centre, Elizabeth Forwood House, 185 Melbourne Street, NORTH ADELAIDE, SA, 5006.

AVAILABILITY OF ANNUAL REPORT

The First Voice 2015/2016 Annual Report and Financial Report are also available on our website: www.firstvoice.org.au

annual report 43

tirstvoice

THE FUTURE IS HEAR

Submission 48 — First Voice (Attachment 1) — The provision of hearing services under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)

CONTENTS

PRELUDE

NDIS BRINGS ABOUT MAJOR CHANGES TO THE DELIVERY OF EARLY CHILDHOOD HEARING SERVICES

EARLY CHILDHOOD HEARING LOSS IN

INCIDENCE AND CAUSE OF PERMANENT HEARING LOSS

THE PROFOUND IMPACT OF EARLY CHILDHOOD HEARING LOSS

BEST PRACTICE FOR CHILDREN WHOSE FAMILIES CHOOSE SPOKEN LANGUAGE

LISTENING AND SPOKEN LANGUAGE EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAMS

OVERVIEW

PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS AGAINST PRIORITIES

PRIORITY AREAS PRIORITY 1 PRIORITY 2 PRIORITY 3

ANNUAL HIGHLIGHTS

Raising awareness and celebrating achievement

Our young stars shine at the

CENTRE & FAMILY HIGHLIGHTS

New horizons for Cora Barclay Centre

Bethany’s Story

— a graduate of Cora Barclay Centre

Katie’s Story — a graduate of Hear and Say

Delivering family-centred, evidence-based practice and monitoring childrens’ outcomes

Sam’s Story — A Graduate of Taralye

Elijah’s Story

— a graduate of Telethon Speech & Hearing

Major building underway, new adult services, and a newly launched outcomes report

Isla’s Story

A new four-year plan

leah’s Story

5

RESEARCH, PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

RESEARCH PROJECTS

Hear and Say

Newborn hearing screening in Queensland: Comparison of hearing screening and diagnostic audiological assessment between term and preterm infants.

Literacy development in children with cochlear implants.

Language impairment from infancy to adulthood.

Persuasive writing outcomes in children with hearing loss who received early auditory-verbal therapy.

The literacy (NAPLAN) outcomes of children with permanent hearing loss who receive auditory-verbal therapy.

Microtia and atresia: Next generation prosthetic ears using advanced 3D printing and biofabrication technology (Futurehear).

Speech and language outcomes of an auditory-verbal therapy program for young children with hearing loss.

The effectiveness of telemedicine for teaching listening and spoken language to children with hearing loss.

Telehealth implementation of cochlear implant mapping across the lifespan.

Auditory brain function in children with cochlear implants – MEG study.

Hearing House

Taralye

CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS

Hear and Say

Annual Report

Research Presentations

June 2016

May 2016

Additional Presentations May-June 2016

Page 34

Telethon Speech & Hearing

Taralye

PUBLISHED RESEARCH AND OTHER PAPERS

Hear and Say

BOOKS

BOOK CHAPTERS

PEER REVIEWED JOURNAL ARTICLES

Page 36

GOVERNANCE — Board of Directors (as at 30 June 2016)

Jim Hungerford BVSc, GAICD

Chris McCarthy MMgt; AssocDip Pers Admin

Peta Monley BA Hons (Psych), Post Grad (Audiology), Masters Health Science (Audiology)

Leadership and support roles

Organisation and resource structure

Summary of financial performance

Organisation and resource structure

OTHER

Our Annual Report

FEEDBACK INVITED

FURTHER READING

AVAILABILITY OF ANNUAL REPORT