Hearing Australia and the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) have collaborated to deliver innovative hearing screening tools across the country as part of RFDS primary health care clinics to remote areas. RFDS clinicians across the country will be equipped with cutting-edge tools developed by the research division of Hearing Australia, the National Acoustic Laboratories, to help identify young children who may have hearing problems.
The national rollout comes after successful trials conducted by Hearing Australia and the RFDS in Western Queensland in 2018 and the Broken Hill region in 2019 and will see additional, innovative hearing screening tools, training and hearing referral pathways across Australia over the next year.
People living in remote Australia face challenges in accessing services, NDIS Minister Stuart Robert said, while visiting the RFDS airbase in Jandakot, Perth. “This collaboration will see an iconic Australian service equipped with world-leading home-grown technology to help Australians in the bush, ensuring citizens get the care they need.”
Hearing Australia managing director, Kim Terrill highlighted the importance of the collaboration and the support of the RFDS. “It’s important we work together to improve access to hearing services across Australia and prevent hearing loss, particularly in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.”
For more information about Hearing Australia, visit https://www.hearing.com.au/