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Welcome to the Rural Health West ear health e-bulletin - December 2025
Rural Health West is the jurisdictional fundholder of the Outreach programs funded by the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. 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 collaboratively 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 Western Australia.
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.
Merry Christmas from Rural Health West
We sincerely thank everyone who contributed to building healthier communities across Western Australia in 2025. Your support and collaboration have been invaluable.
Rural Health West would like to wish you all a very safe and happy festive season and we look forward to continued engagement with you in 2026.
Featured: EarTrain visiting Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Service in Newman
EarTrain visits WA
Thank you to the EarTrain team who recently visited WA and conducted six workshops across Broome, Perth, Kalgoorlie, Karratha, Newman and Geraldton. Seventy nine health professionals attended the EarTrain workshops where skills covered included otoscopy, tympanometry, OAE and an introduction to hearing screening.
The EarTrain team will visit WA in May 2026. If your community would like to participate in a workshop, please contact candice.marsden@ruralhw.com.au to discuss further.
Please note EarTrain is contracted through TAFE NSW until 30 June 2026. The continuation of the contract beyond this date is being considered by the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.
The Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing is working in partnership with the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) on behalf of the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service ( ACCHS) sector to explore future delivery options, including transition to First Nations-led organisations, in line with Closing the Gap priorities.
Live and Work Rural Competition
Don’t miss your chance to show the world why life (and work!) in rural Western Australia is unbeatable. Make a short video highlighting your rural health story and be in the chance for a chance to win a variety of prizes.
The Live and Work Rural Competition has been extended, and the prize pool has been increased thanks to The Royal Australia College of General Practitioners (RACGP).
Prize pool:
- $2,000 First prize
- $1,000 Second prize
- $500 Third prize
How to enter: Simply create a short video sharing your experience, insight, or story about working in rural WA and submit it online.
Competition closes: 1 March 2026. Winner will be announced at the WA Rural Health Conference 2026.
Enter now
WA Rural Health Conference 2026
Registrations are open for the WA Rural Health Conference 2026.
The WA Rural Health Conference will take place Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 March 2026 at Crown Convention Centre Perth. Join colleagues from across rural and remote Western Australia for two days of learning, collaboration, and connection.
Click here to find out more and register.
Click above to see the latest edition of the Rural Health West Matters Magazine.
Care for Kids Ears Refresh
NACCHO are refreshing the Care for Kids’ Ears resources. The refreshed resources will promote ear and hearing health and overall wellbeing of Aboriginal children and families. These updates aim to raise awareness, strengthen early intervention, and reflect the cultural knowledge and strengths of communities. Your feedback will help ensure the resources are practical, community-driven, and grounded in the ways you work with families every day.
NACCHO appreciate your feedback which you can provide here.
As part of our Australia’s Disability Strategy (ADS) Community Attitudes project, Expression Australia is gathering insights from different communities to understand gaps, reduce harm, and improve communication with Deaf people.
If you identify with any of the groups below, please take a moment to complete the survey that best fits you.
- Have you ever called an ambulance or received care from paramedics? We’d love to hear about your experience. Your feedback will help improve emergency services for Auslan users around Australia - complete the survey here
- This survey is for First Nations community members only. Your insights will guide how First Nations organisations and health services can better support Deaf First Nations peoples - complete the survey here
- Are you part of LGBTQIA+ spaces, events, clinics, or communities? We want to understand your experiences to help make these environments safer and more inclusive for Deaf LGBTQIA+ people - complete the survey here
If you have any questions or want more information about this project, please reach out to the team at communicate@expression.com.au
Supporting the future Aboriginal audiology workforce: UWA Indigenous Students Master of Clinical Audiology Pathway
Are you an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander health worker passionate about hearing, communication, and making a difference in your community? The University of Western Australia (UWA) is offering a unique opportunity to help you take the next step in your career through the Indigenous Students Master of Clinical Audiology (MClinAud) Pathway.
This pathway offers a six-month fully subsidised Graduate Certificate through UWA’s School of Human Sciences, providing an alternative entry route into the Master of Clinical Audiology program. The graduate certificate is designed to build foundational knowledge and strengthen academic skills — setting you up for success in the MClinAud course and a rewarding career in audiology.
- Indigenous students
- Existing allied health work experience
- Six month certificate running in both semesters
- Must achieve an average WAM of 60% to enrol in the MClinAud program
- Fully subsidised
For more information see here
Events and webinars
Webinar: Introduction to Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD)
Monday 2 February 2026, 11.00am - 12.00 pm AWST via Teams
If you are interested in learning more about audiology and expanding your medical knowledge please join us for our introductory webinar on Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD). This webinar will cover what CAPD is, the co-morbid conditions of CAPD and provide a brief overview of the management and treatment processes of CAPD.
This webinar is presented by Dr Robyn Choi, Program Director for Audiology as well as a Senior Lecturer at The University of Western Australia, an Adjunct Senior Lecturer at Curtin University and a Research Associate at The Kids Institute.
Save the date: OMOZ 2026
Dates: 4th to 7th Aug 2026
Venue: Brisbane Conference Centre, South Brisbane, Meanjin
Hosted by the Deadly Ears mob, the OMOZ 2026 conference will provide a forum for all researchers, clinical practitioners and health workers investigating and treating chronic ear disease in Australia.
Keep on eye out for further information via the OMOZ website.
Webinar recording: Environmental Health Referrals for mums and bubs in the Pilbara
Samantha Barba and Scott McKenzie from the Pilbara Aboriginal Health Alliance (PAHA), recently presented on their Maternal Environmental Health Referral Pilot Program in the Pilbara with a focus on Otitis Media prevention.
To view the recording, click here.
Advancing the Aboriginal Environmental Health Program
The webinar features information and updates on the work that the Department of Health has done and is doing to adopt the co-designed Model of Care for future procurement.
The webinar covers:
- What has happened since the Model of Care co-design for a future Aboriginal Environmental Health Program was finalised.
- How the current contract terms have changed.
- Where things are now.
- What’s coming up early next year.
- A timeframe for the work that must be done in 2026 to have contracts available for the new co-designed program from 1 January 2027.
You can view the webinar here.
WA Ear and Hearing Health Forum recordings
Click on the links below to watch some of the presentations that took place at previous WA Ear and Hearing Health Forums
- Welcome from the WA Child Ear Health Strategy and Update
- Ear and Hearing Health in First Nations Families Exploring Models of Care - Panel Discussion
- ACCHS Ear and Hearing Health Forum Update
- Ear Health in the ACCHS: A Case Study
- EarTrain Update Recap of 2024 Workshops Across WA and Future Education Planning
- Child and Adolescent Health Service Aboriginal Ear Health Update
- Enviromental Health Across the State and in Community
- Enhancing Ear and Hearing Health within Primary Health Care
- ENT Registrar Led Upskilling
WA Ear and Hearing Health Forum (facilitated by Aboriginal Health Council of WA and Rural Health West) Presentations can be found here
2021 and 2022 Forums - presentation recordings are available.
2023 - 2025 Forums - graphic minutes available; with recordings found here
Simon Says...
AHCWA's Ear Health Program is working on 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, ways to care for after their ears and prevent the spread of illness in their community.
Simon Says animations
If Service Providers have feedback from using this animation within the community, please contact Lorraine Taui, AHCWA Ear Health Program Coordinator via Lorraine.Taui@ahcwa.org
WA 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. 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 has expired. The WA Child Ear Health Strategy Steering Committee is currently reviewing the Strategy to ensure WA children; families and their communities are best supported in improving ear and hearing health outcomes.
2020 Otitis Media Guidelines - Menzies School of Health Research
Download a link to the 2020 Otitis Media Guidelines or the app here.
The First Nations Support Line
Hearing Australia 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.
ASOHNS Patient Information Sheets
The Australian Society of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery have developed patient information sheets. To download these resources, please click on the links below
Care for Kids Ears
Care for Kids Ears – This website aims to raise awareness of ear disease and hearing loss in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The website provides free access to resources for parents and carers, teachers, early childhood groups, and health professionals.
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
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare | data report released
Ear and hearing health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 2024
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture has been passed down the generations for tens of thousands of years using language and storytelling. Having healthy ears and ability to hear well supports language development and transmission of culture through speech, as well as learning, employment and social and community connections.
Information about ear and hearing health among First Nations people and their access to ear and hearing health services helps develop health policy and plan health services. This is the third Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) national report on the ear and hearing health of First Nations children and adults.
This report is prepared with expert guidance from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ear and Hearing Health Data and Reporting Advisory Group, chaired by Professor Kelvin Kong.
To view report please visit Australian Institute of Health & Welfare website.
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, Disability and Ageing.
