Enhancing the lives of those with ear and hearing disorders through research, treatment and education.
In 2019, Ear Science Institute Australia was appointed as a WHO Collaborating Centre for Ear and Hearing Care, signifying the Institute’s outstanding expertise in this field. Through close collaboration with the WHO Headquarters in Geneva, our focus is directed towards the countries situated to the north of Western Australia, within the WHO Western Pacific Regions.
Our primary mission encompasses the advancement of ear and hearing services in these nations, while simultaneously strengthening their capacity in hearing services, research, and awareness. This strategic objective aligns with Ear Science’s ongoing dedication to improving international ear and hearing care.
1.5b people in the world have hearing loss
Situational Analysis of Ear and Hearing Care in the Western Pacific Region
Purpose
To identify and document the provision of ear and hearing services in the Western Pacific.
Summary of findings
- Data on the prevalence and causes of ear disease and hearing loss are not available in many countries in the region.
- Many people in the region face restrictions in accessing primary and tertiary ear and hearing care.
- Most countries in the region have too few hearing health professionals and lack training opportunities for audiology and hearing health professionals.
- Most countries in the region do not have national ear and hearing care policies.
We are now working with collaborators at the University of Auckland and the WPR Office to collate data for the Western Pacific Region.
466m people globally are affected by a ‘disabling hearing loss’
World Hearing Day
Purpose
To support the WHO in promoting ear and hearing health, targeting the priorities stated in the WHO General Assembly Resolution in 2017, and the 2021 World Report on Hearing.
Activities
- Healthy Hearing Pop-ups | community education events
- Free hearing screenings
- Community engagement
- Public art display
- Social media & community engagement
- Justin Langer AM as a Champion for Healthy Hearing
- Ear Science Healthy Hearing Podcast
Over 200m children globally have severe ear disease
Capacity Building
Purpose
To work with countries in the Western Pacific Region to increase capacity in clinical care and research.
Activities
- Teaching and mentoring students at the Beijing Institute for Otolaryngology.
- Research in hearing loss and cognition in tonal-language speaking older adults.
- Surgical training in cochlear implantation.
- Understanding the knowledge, attitudes and practices towards hearing loss, cognitive decline and dementia in China.
- Working with other WHO Collaborating Centres in Western Australia, covering mental health, health economics and disease mapping.
85% of people who need hearing aids don’t have them
Lions Hearing Foundation Hearing Aid Bank
Purpose
To support people living in low-income countries who have poor access to hearing aids and support NGOs operating in those countries.
Activities
- Since 2019 Ear Science has supported the work of All Ear Cambodia & Indonesia Rare Disorders by providing refurbished hearing aids to those who cannot access the hearing treatment they need.
- Ear Science refurbishes and donates hearing aids collected by Lions Clubs International (Western Australia) and our Lions Hearing Clinic clients to several overseas organisations.
- Hearing health workers in Cambodia are trained by All Ears Cambodia to assess hearing and fit the donated hearing aids at several urban and rural clinics throughout Cambodia.
WHO Collaborating Centre for Ear and Hearing Care
Director
Adj Associate Professor Sandra Bellekom, CEO Ear Science Institute Australia
Deputy Director
Adj Professor Rob Eikelboom, Research Manager at Ear Science Institute Australia
