Lecturer in Audiology
Overview
Dr Barbra Timmer is a Lecturer in Audiology (Teaching & Research) at the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland and Senior Scientist at Sonova AG.Her research interests include the real-world challenges and audiological outcomes for adults with hearing impairment, intervention approaches for adults with tinnitus, the implementation of family-centred care in audiological practice, intervention solutions for presbyvertigo in adults with hearing impairment and teleaudiology.
Before taking on her academic role, Barbra gained clinical audiology experience at Australian Hearing and the Free University of Amsterdam, and industry experience at Sonova AG in Australia and Switzerland. Barbra completed an MBA and a PhD in Audiology and aims to build a stronger bridge between research and clinical practice.
Research Impacts
Dr Timmer is recognised as leader in the use of ecological momentary aseessment to investigate real-world hearing experiences. Bridging the world of hearing science academia and industry, she is committed to the transfer of knowledge into practice and has extensive professional links that facilitate this transfer. For example, she is President of Audiology Australia and a member of a working group to establish pediatric audiology certification and another to create teleaudiology standards in Australia. She is regularly invited to give presentations to clinical and research conferences around the world.
Qualifications
- Master of Business Administration, University of Western Sydney
- Bachelor of Science, The University of Queensland
- Postgraduate Diploma In Audiology, The University of Queensland
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
Publications
-
Journal Article: Concurrent validity of the Garmin Vivofit®4 to accurately record step count in older adults in challenging environments
Foster, Jacinta I., Williams, Katrina L., Timmer, Barbra H.B. and Brauer, Sandra G. (2022). Concurrent validity of the Garmin Vivofit®4 to accurately record step count in older adults in challenging environments. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, 1-9. doi: 10.1123/japa.2021-0231
-
Journal Article: The suitability and readability of cochlear implant information brochures for potential adult recipients
Looi, Valerie, Boulton, Reese, Timmer, Barbra H. B. and Wilson, Wayne J. (2021). The suitability and readability of cochlear implant information brochures for potential adult recipients. International journal of audiology, 61 (4), 1-8. doi: 10.1080/14992027.2021.1930206
-
Journal Article: Changing the narrative for hearing health in the broader context of healthy living: a call to action
Saunders, Gabrielle H., Vercammen, Charlotte, Timmer, Barbra H. B., Singh, Gurjit, Pelosi, Angela, Meis, Marcus, Launer, Stefan, Kramer, Sophia E., Gagne, Jean-Pierre and Bott, Anthea (2021). Changing the narrative for hearing health in the broader context of healthy living: a call to action. International Journal of Audiology, 60 (sup2), 1-6. doi: 10.1080/14992027.2021.1905892
Grants
-
Hearing, social connectedness, and well-being of ageing adults in Australia
(2022–2025) ARC Linkage Projects
-
Measuring, Monitoring, and Motivating Adherence to Self-Managed Aphasia Treatment
(2021–2023) NHMRC MRFF - Cardiovascular Health Mission
-
To tell or not to tell? The stigma experiences of adults with hearing impairment and their families
(2019–2022) GN Hearing Care Corporation
Supervision
-
Help-seeking for hearing impairment and hearing interventions uptake and outcomes among adults in Malaysia
Doctor Philosophy
-
Hearing monitoring for patients receiving ototoxic chemotherapy
Doctor Philosophy
-
The effect of vibrotactile feedback on postural stability and vestibular function in older adults with hearing impairment
Doctor Philosophy
Available Projects
-
Hearing, social connectedness, and well-being of ageing adults in Australia.
The aim of this project is to investigate the real-world social connections of adults with hearing loss who use or do not use hearing aids. The outcomes of this project may help guide policy for better health care models and services to improve the management of age-related hearing loss This is a funded PhD project to start in 2022, in collaboration with Dr Katie Ekberg and Professor Louise Hickson.
Publications
Book Chapter
-
Evidence-based practice and research opportunities
Louise Hickson and Barbra Timmer (2021). Evidence-based practice and research opportunities. Adult Audiologic Rehabilitation. (pp. 573-584) edited by Joseph J. Montano and Jaclyn B. Spitzer. San Diego, CA, United States: Plural Publishing.
Journal Article
-
Foster, Jacinta I., Williams, Katrina L., Timmer, Barbra H.B. and Brauer, Sandra G. (2022). Concurrent validity of the Garmin Vivofit®4 to accurately record step count in older adults in challenging environments. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, 1-9. doi: 10.1123/japa.2021-0231
-
Looi, Valerie, Boulton, Reese, Timmer, Barbra H. B. and Wilson, Wayne J. (2021). The suitability and readability of cochlear implant information brochures for potential adult recipients. International journal of audiology, 61 (4), 1-8. doi: 10.1080/14992027.2021.1930206
-
Changing the narrative for hearing health in the broader context of healthy living: a call to action
Saunders, Gabrielle H., Vercammen, Charlotte, Timmer, Barbra H. B., Singh, Gurjit, Pelosi, Angela, Meis, Marcus, Launer, Stefan, Kramer, Sophia E., Gagne, Jean-Pierre and Bott, Anthea (2021). Changing the narrative for hearing health in the broader context of healthy living: a call to action. International Journal of Audiology, 60 (sup2), 1-6. doi: 10.1080/14992027.2021.1905892
-
Bennett, Rebecca J., Barr, Caitlin, Cortis, Alex, Eikelboom, Robert H., Ferguson, Melanie, Gerace, Daniel, Heffernan, Eithne, Hickson, Louise, van Leeuwen, Lisette, Montano, Joseph, Preminger, Jill E., Pronk, Marieke, Saunders, Gabrielle H., Singh, Gurjit, Timmer, Barbra H. B., Weinstein, Barbara and Bellekom, Sandra (2020). Audiological approaches to address the psychosocial needs of adults with hearing loss: perceived benefit and likelihood of use. International Journal of Audiology, 60 (sup2), 1-8. doi: 10.1080/14992027.2020.1839680
-
Ekberg, Katie, Timmer, Barbra, Schuetz, Simone and Hickson, Louise (2020). Use of the behaviour change wheel to design an intervention to improve the implementation of family-centred care in adult audiology services. International Journal of Audiology, 60 (sup2), 1-10. doi: 10.1080/14992027.2020.1844321
-
Bennett, Rebecca J., Barr, Caitlin, Montano, Joseph, Eikelboom, Robert H., Saunders, Gabrielle H., Pronk, Marieke, Preminger, Jill E., Ferguson, Melanie, Weinstein, Barbara, Heffernan, Eithne, van Leeuwen, Lisette, Hickson, Louise, Timmer, Barbra H. B., Singh, Gurjit, Gerace, Daniel, Cortis, Alex and Bellekom, Sandra R. (2020). Identifying the approaches used by audiologists to address the psychosocial needs of their adult clients. International Journal of Audiology, 60 (2), 1-11. doi: 10.1080/14992027.2020.1817995
-
Turton, Laura, Souza, Pamela, Thibodeau, Linda, Hickson, Louise, Gifford, René, Bird, Judith, Stropahl, Maren, Gailey, Lorraine, Fulton, Bernadette, Scarinci, Nerina, Ekberg, Katie and Timmer, Barbra (2020). Guidelines for best practice in the audiological management of adults with severe and profound hearing loss. Seminars in Hearing, 41 (03), 141-246. doi: 10.1055/s-0040-1714744
-
Ekberg, Katie, Schuetz, Simone, Timmer, Barbra and Hickson, Louise (2020). Identifying barriers and facilitators to implementing family-centred care in adult audiology practices: a COM-B interview study exploring staff perspectives. International Journal of Audiology, 59 (6), 1-11. doi: 10.1080/14992027.2020.1745305
-
Using smartphone technology to support the adult audiologic rehabilitation journey
Timmer, Barbra H. B., Launer, Stefan and Hickson, Louise (2020). Using smartphone technology to support the adult audiologic rehabilitation journey. International Journal of Audiology, 60 (sup1), 1-7. doi: 10.1080/14992027.2020.1854483
-
Real-world benefits of hearing aids beyond better speech understanding
Timmer, Barbra, Hickson, Louise and Launer, Stefan (2019). Real-world benefits of hearing aids beyond better speech understanding. Hearing Journal, 72 (1), 8-9. doi: 10.1097/01.HJ.0000552748.43994.d3
-
The use of ecological momentary assessment in hearing research and future clinical applications
Timmer, Barbra H. B., Hickson, Louise and Launer, Stefan (2018). The use of ecological momentary assessment in hearing research and future clinical applications. Hearing Research, 369, 24-28. doi: 10.1016/j.heares.2018.06.012
-
Timmer, Barbra H. B., Hickson, Louise and Launer, Stefan (2018). Do hearing aids address real-world hearing difficulties for adults with mild hearing impairment? Results from a pilot study using ecological momentary assessment. Trends in Hearing, 22, 2331216518783608. doi: 10.1177/2331216518783608
-
Ecological Momentary Assessment: Feasibility, Construct Validity, and Future Applications
Timmer, Barbra, Hickson, Louise and Launer, Stefan (2017). Ecological Momentary Assessment: Feasibility, Construct Validity, and Future Applications. American Journal of Audiology, 26 (3S), 436-442. doi: 10.1044/2017_AJA-16-0126
-
Adults with mild hearing impairment: Are we meeting the challenge?
Timmer, Barbra H.B., Hickson, Louise and Launer, Stefan (2015). Adults with mild hearing impairment: Are we meeting the challenge?. International Journal of Audiology, 54 (11), 786-795. doi: 10.3109/14992027.2015.1046504
Conference Publication
-
Hearing aid use and mild hearing impairment: learnings from big data
Timmer, Barbra H. B., Hickson, Louise and Launer, Stefan (2017). Hearing aid use and mild hearing impairment: learnings from big data. Reston, VA, United States: American Academy of Audiology. doi: 10.3766/jaaa.16104
Other Outputs
-
Adults with mild hearing impairment: Measuring real-world hearing performance
Timmer, Barbra (2017). Adults with mild hearing impairment: Measuring real-world hearing performance. PhD Thesis, School of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/uql.2017.987
Grants (Administered at UQ)
-
Hearing, social connectedness, and well-being of ageing adults in Australia
(2022–2025) ARC Linkage Projects
-
Measuring, Monitoring, and Motivating Adherence to Self-Managed Aphasia Treatment
(2021–2023) NHMRC MRFF - Cardiovascular Health Mission
-
To tell or not to tell? The stigma experiences of adults with hearing impairment and their families
(2019–2022) GN Hearing Care Corporation
-
(2018–2023) Sonova AG
-
Establishing a Sonova-UQ Hearing and Balance Research Centre
(2018) UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
PhD and MPhil Supervision
Current Supervision
-
Help-seeking for hearing impairment and hearing interventions uptake and outcomes among adults in Malaysia
Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
-
Hearing monitoring for patients receiving ototoxic chemotherapy
Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
-
The effect of vibrotactile feedback on postural stability and vestibular function in older adults with hearing impairment
Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
-
The effect of individualized, vibrotactile neurofeedback training on postural stability in older adults with hearing loss
Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Possible Research Projects
Note for students: The possible research projects listed on this page may not be comprehensive or up to date. Always feel free to contact the staff for more information, and also with your own research ideas.
-
Hearing, social connectedness, and well-being of ageing adults in Australia.
The aim of this project is to investigate the real-world social connections of adults with hearing loss who use or do not use hearing aids. The outcomes of this project may help guide policy for better health care models and services to improve the management of age-related hearing loss This is a funded PhD project to start in 2022, in collaboration with Dr Katie Ekberg and Professor Louise Hickson.
