REPORT 2010 - Telethon Speech and Hearing

Telethon Speech + Hearing 2010 Annual Report
Ear Screening Services - Mobile Ear Clinic
The two Mobile Ear Clinics or “Earbuses” have completed
another full year of ear health screening services to
Aboriginal children in the eastern metropolitan corridor
of Perth and in the South West region. In 2010, over 2621
screenings took place across the Earbus program, 1392
in the metropolitan area and 1229 in the South West.
The Metro East Earbus saw an increase in the number
of schools requesting services throughout 2010. In
particular a playgroup in Northam contacted the Earbus
requesting services for children under 5 years. As this
is fast becoming a major focus of the program, the
Earbus travelled to Northam in November for the first
time. During this visit we were approached by 3 primary
schools in Northam to offer services to their communities.
Outreach to Northam will commence in term 1 of 2011.
Integral to the Earbus program is the medical team
who follow up on all children who do not pass the
hearing or ear check screening. The team comprising
Dr Modupe Adeleke, Tahlia Kinnane (Registered Nurse)
and Di Ryder (Aboriginal Outreach Worker) moved
from the Centre to Derbal Yerrigan Medical Services
during the year. The team, under the guidance of Dr
Adeleke, have been invaluable in providing excellent
medical service in the schools after the children have
been screened. Children are referred on to Professor
Harvey Coates at a monthly clinic held at the Swan
District Hospital and appropriate treatment and surgery
(if required) is provided. The team work closely with
Professor Coates to ensure that children receive timely
surgical intervention.
far reaching social and educational sequelae. The rate
of middle ear disease in incarcerated populations in
Western Australia is largely unknown. 104 Aboriginal
women were screened (half the prison population) and
45% did not pass the hearing screening process.
Following on from this, the Earbus featured on ABC’s
Lateline program, where the succuss of the program
was highlighted, together with the need to do more for
Indigenous Australians concerning this important health
issue. The program was also featured in a story
online on ABC’s The Drum. As a result of this media
exposure, the Centre has been able to initiate talks
with the Department of Correctional Services about
the provision of a clinical pathway for middle ear
disease in incarcerated populations. It is anticipated
this will develop further in 2011.
The Bunbury Earbus program continued to grow
steadily in 2010 and community relationships as well
as partnerships with local schools were strengthened
during this time. The clinical pathway for Bunbury and
the surrounds was not as well established as the Metro
In addition to providing services to schools and
playgroups, the Metro East service also visited Bandyup
Women’s Prison early in 2010. Middle ear disease has
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