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Welcome to the Rural Health West ear health e-bulletin - October 2024
Rural Health West is the jurisdictional fundholder of the Outreach programs funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. The Healthy Ears - Better Hearing, Better Listening Outreach program aims to increase access to a range of ear health services, including expanding primary health to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and youth (0-21 years) for the diagnosis, treatment and management of ear and hearing health.
Rural Health West works closely with the Aboriginal Health Council of WA (AHCWA) to provide the Ear Health Coordination Program in Western Australia (WA). The aim of the program is to work collaboratively with primary health care clinics and other stakeholders to identify and support activities needed to improve ear health across the State.
The Ear Health Coordination Program e-bulletin provides quarterly updates where we reflect the wonderful work of the ear:
- the outer ear - where we collect sound waves in the form of good news stories to share experiences and learnings from stakeholders across WA;
- the middle ear - where we transmit vibrations via our ossicles: an update from Rural Health West, AHCWA and from ear health stakeholder groups; and
- the inner ear - transferring sound waves to nerve messages through our resources section where updated and new resources will be made available.
If you have a story, partnership or learning you would like us to feature in the next e-bulletin, please email outreach@ruralhealthwest.com.au.
WA Ear and Hearing Health Forum 2025
Save the date!
In collaboration with the WA Child Ear Health Strategy and the Aboriginal Health Council of WA, Rural Health West will be hosting the annual WA Ear and Hearing Health Forum on Thursday 7 and Friday 8 August 2025. This Forum will coincide with Rural Health West’s Aboriginal Health Conference. The two day Forum will focus on regional ear health initiatives, successes and challenges, technologies and research in ear and hearing health through interactive discussions and practical upskilling.
As a prelude to the WA Ear and Hearing Health Forum, AHCWA will be hosting an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHS) members only Forum on Wednesday 6 August 2025. This Forum will highlight success stories and speakers to discuss the progression of Closing the Gap relevant to ear and hearing health for the ACCHS sector.
If you would like to register you interest to attend the 2025 Forum, please contact the Regional Services team at outreach@ruralhw.com.au.
To view graphic illustrations from the 2024 WA Ear and Hearing Health Forum, please click here.
An update from Hearing Australia
Hearing Australia is working with more than 70 organisations in WA to help improve hearing health outcomes
Across Western Australia, Hearing Australia is proud to work with many Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, early education organisations as well as the WA Country Health Service and the Metropolitan Health Services.
Hearing Australia currently provides services at more than 50 outreach locations in WA. Hearing Australia provides government funded hearing services under the Community Service Obligations Program for eligible children and adults, and the Hearing Assessment Program – Early Ears (HAPEE) for First Nations children not yet attending full time school.
Through Shared Hearing Services Plans, Hearing Australia works closely with local health services to improve the impact of hearing services within communities while building the capability of local health staff.
Hearing Australia delivers services through hearing centres, home visits, outreach programs, via telehealth and online. Hearing Australia also provide a free First Nations Support Line which offers general information and help to increase access to culturally appropriate, timely and accurate ear and hearing health information for First Nations people and health professionals working with First Nations people and communities. The First Nations Support Line is available Monday-Friday, 8.30am-5.00pm AEST on 1300 253 655.
Find out more by visiting the Hearing Australia website at hearing.com.au or email FirstNations@hearing.com.au or phone the Perth Hearing Centre on 08 9226 7100.
Rural Health Outreach Services contract update
All contracts funded through the Rural Health Outreach Fund (RHOF), Medical Outreach Indigenous Chronic Disease Program (MOICDP) and Eye and Ear Surgical Program will expire 30 June 2025. Contracts through the Visiting Optometrists Scheme (VOS) and Healthy Ears – Better Hearing, Better Listening (HEBHBL) will expire 30 June 2026.
The Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care has advised that they will be seeking approval from Government to extend the MOICDP and EESS current contract arrangements for 2025-2026. Rural Health West expects to receive notification on this outcome and on the continuation of the RHOF program beyond 30 June 2025, by December 2024.
Rural Health West will provide further information on the review of Indigenous Australian Health Programs (MOICDP, EESS, HEBHBL and VOS) through the First Nations Health Funding Transition Program as it becomes available.
THE INNER EAR - resources
Simon says...
AHCWA's Ear Health Program is working on a number of health promotion initiatives to raise awareness about the impacts of ear disease and hearing loss. In July 2020, the program published the first volume of their new series Simon Says…, which aims to inform children and their families about the ways they can look after their ears and prevent the spread of illness in their community.
Outreach providers and printing of Simon Says Series
Rural Health West is offering to print a limited number of Simon Says health promotion resources for Healthy Ears, Better Hearing - Better Listening (HEBHBL) service providers.
If you are a HEBHBL provider interested in receiving printed copies of the Simon Says series for your HEBHBL visits, please submit an Expression of Interest to Rural Health West indicating the Simon Says Series and number of copies you require via outreach@ruralhw.com.au by COB 8 November 2024. Please note printing is limited, not all EOI's may be fulfilled.
OMOZ 2024 - Newcastle, NSW
OMOZ 2024 was held in Newcastle, NSW in August 2024.
A conference for all researchers, clinical practitioners and health workers investigating and treating chronic ear disease in Australia.
For further information on this conference and to gain access to the graphic recordings, please visit the OMOZ conference website.
A Child Ear Health Strategy 2017 - 2021
The WA Child Ear Health Strategy has been developed to tackle ear disease amongst children, particularly in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in WA. A number of stakeholders share responsibility for addressing and improving ear and hearing health conditions amongst children. It has been informed by, and is aligned with, a number of key national and State reports, frameworks, guidelines and principles. The Strategy aims to promote an agreed, evidence based and sustainable approach across government and non-government agencies and service providers.
Please note the WA Child Ear Health Strategy is undergoing revisions. An updated version of the Strategy Recommendations will be available for viewing in the coming months.
2020 Otitis Media Guidelines
Download a link to the 2020 Otitis Media Guidelines or the app here.
To view AHCWA's Your Journey in Ear Health videos please follow the links below:
My Health Record
My Health Record is a secure online summary of key patient health information. Healthcare providers can access the system to view and add information. My Health Record education and training resources can be accessed below:
- Webinars on the website and YouTube
- Request a presentation from the Australian Digital Health Agency Educator via the Agency website
Webinars and podcasts
WA Ear and Hearing Health Forum (facilitated by Aboriginal Health Council of WA and Rural Health West) Presentations can be found here.
2021 & 2022 Forums - presentation recordings are available.
2023 & 2024 Forums - graphic minutes available; with recordings to be available shortly.
Subscribe to the Ear Health Coordination E-Bulletin
As part of the Ear Health Coordination Program, a quarterly newsletter is distributed to provide new, important information and updates where we reflect the wonderful work of the ear health services across the state. If you wish to subscribe please email outreach@ruralhw.com.au
The Outreach programs are delivered by Rural Health West on behalf of the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care.
