Shani Dettman has worked as a speech pathologist and researcher in the children’s' program at the University of Melbourne and Cochlear Implant Clinic (CIC) since 1987, developing protocols for the pre-implant and post-implant assessment and management of young children with hearing loss. In 1997, Shani completed a Masters of Education at The University of Melbourne. The study analysed the preverbal communication development of children prior to and following the cochlear implant. In 2003, Shani completed the exam and accreditation for Auditory Verbal Certification. In 2005, she completed a Doctorate of Philosophy, at The University of Melbourne, examining the relationship between the primary caregivers input to the child and the child’s long term communication outcomes. Shani is currently Senior Lecturer at The University of Melbourne and Project Leader for the CRC's "4.2.2. Approaches to Habilitation" research team.  She provides lectures and research supervision to Master of Clinical Audiology, Master of Speech Pathology and PhD students.  Shani has authored and co-authored over 35 peer reviewed publications and over 115 local and international conference presentations.