A Best Practice Oral Health Model For Australian Residential Care
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$58,900.00
Summary
Carers are essential to the delivery of oral hygiene care and maintenance of residents’ oral health in residential care faclities. This research will investigate the role that carers can play to maintain adequate oral health for residents, and improving their timely referral and access to dental professionals. It will also assist with the development of appropriate policies and procedures for oral and dental care, in accordance with Commonwealth Residential Aged Care Standards
Comparing Light And Cognitive-behavior Therapies For The Treatment Of Sleep Maintenance Insomnia In Older Adults
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$383,961.00
Summary
Chronic insomnia affects more than 1 million Australians over 55 years of age. The most common treatment is sleeping pills despite their negative side effects. Our proposal is to compare non-drug cognitive-behaviour treatment with a new therapy of evening bright light, the combination of the two expected to be superior to either therapy alone. The project aims to improve the treatment of chronic insomnia in older adults leading to improved quality of life and reduced health care costs.
Spirometry And Asthma Management In Children And Adults In General Practice.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$500,000.00
Summary
Measurement of airflow obstruction, as measured by spirometry, is a vital element in the management of people with asthma. This study aims to examine the potential benefits to patients of using spirometry in the management of asthma in children and adults.
Improving Speech Perception Outcomes In Deaf Adults And Children Using Cochlear Implants
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$160,604.00
Summary
This project aims to further improve on speech understanding by deaf adults and children using the cochlear implant. In particular, we aim to individually modify the speech coding scheme on the basis of the basic hearing skills of the subject. In this manner, more speech information should be available and the users will likely gain more benefit from their cochlear implants. The speech processing strategy of the multiple-electrode cochlear implant, manufactured by the Australian biomedical compa ....This project aims to further improve on speech understanding by deaf adults and children using the cochlear implant. In particular, we aim to individually modify the speech coding scheme on the basis of the basic hearing skills of the subject. In this manner, more speech information should be available and the users will likely gain more benefit from their cochlear implants. The speech processing strategy of the multiple-electrode cochlear implant, manufactured by the Australian biomedical company Cochlear Limited, codes acoustic frequency information on electrodes which are located in the cochlea. The assignment of frequencies to electrodes is consistent with the ordering of pitch in the cochlea. For optimum performance, all electrodes would need to be perceptually distinct from each other. Recent research with adults and children has shown that this is not the case for a number of subjects as adjacent electrodes sound the same. Thus important speech information may not be heard by these subjects. In this project, we will determine how well adults and children are able to hear differences between the electrodes, and then provide speech processing schemes which exclude those electrodes which sound the same as others in close proximity. The project will compare these modified strategies with the standard strategy currently used by the subjects over time, so that any differences in the way adults and children are able to improve on speech understanding will be determined. As far as can be determined, this project will be the first investigation to improve on speech understanding in children using the cochlear implant.Read moreRead less