Echoes of Care: 10 years transforming children's hearing in Western NSW

Since November 2014, the RDN Outreach team's local partner organisation Marathon Health has delivered a dedicated audiology service through the Healthy Ears, Better Hearing, Better Listening (HEBHBL) program which has been making a significant impact on the hearing health of children in rural and remote communities of Western NSW. The program, led by a team comprising an audiologist and an Aboriginal Health Worker, partners closely with local schools and not-for-profit hearing organisations to ensure that students have access to essential hearing screenings and follow-up care.  

In the past six months, the program has made significant strides across four towns: 

• Dubbo:

Screened 145 students, including 85 Aboriginal children. Ten students were diagnosed with Otitis Media, a common but serious ear condition that can affect hearing and learning. The program's collaborative nature was evident when a student attended with a Hearing Support Teacher from the Department of Education. The audiologist worked closely with the teacher, ensuring that the student's hearing results were communicated effectively to classroom staff. One new student was referred to Hearing Australia, and thanks to the swift coordination between the school, the Department of Education, and the Hearing Support Team, the student received an appointment the following week, minimising delays in treatment.  

• Condobolin:

Screened 87 students, with 59 identifying as Aboriginal. Sixteen students had Otitis Media. The team emphasised preventive education on nose-blowing and handwashing, providing school staff and families with practical advice through "Breath Blow Cough Chew" handouts. 

• Parkes:

Screened 39 students, including 13 Aboriginal students. Seven students were found to have Otitis Media. Strong partnerships with the local Wellbeing and Health In Reach Nurse ensured comprehensive follow-up support and comprehensive care.  

• Warren:

Marked the start of 2024 with 29 students screened, including 16 Kindergarten children and 10 Aboriginal children. The results were encouraging, with only one student diagnosed with Otitis Media. The Audiologist provided classroom hearing strategies to one student and shared this information with school staff. The Aboriginal Education Officer plays a key role in organising schedules, prioritising the hearing list, and liaising with families.  

This audiology service, now approaching its tenth anniversary, continues to be a lifeline for children in Western NSW, particularly in communities where access to specialist health services is limited. By working hand in hand with schools, health professionals, and the Department of Education, the program ensures that children with hearing issues are identified early and receive the care they need to thrive in their educational journey.  

Project Lead – Mel Mayall said “ This showcases the amazing work of our team on the ground.  I am so proud to have been a part of this programs from its inception back in 2014”.

About HEBHBL

The aim of the HEBHBL program is to increase access to a range of ear and hearing health services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, youth and young adults (0-21 years) for the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and management of ear and hearing health conditions. There are no MMM location restrictions to access this service. The program is one of the Australian Government's Outreach programs administered in NSW and the ACT by RDN.

Related reading:

• Hearing Needs Assessment leads to more RDN funding for ear and hearing services