Uploaded September 2021 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
The Djaalinj Waakinj ('listening and hearing' in Noongar) Ear Portal Program operates out of the Cockburn Integrated Health Centre in Perth Western Australia and focuses on the testing and treatment of middle ear infections in Aboriginal children.
The program is run by the Telethon Kids Institute, whose research has shown while 25-30 per cent of children under the age of three years-old have middle ear infections, but that figure is more than 50 per cent for Aboriginal children.
Paediatric audiologist and Telethon Kids Institute Head of Ear Health Chris Brennan-Jones said Aboriginal children were twice as likely to have an ear infection in their early life and more likely to have it earlier.
The Djaalinj Waakinj Ear Portal program focuses on identifying ear health issues as soon as possible and it has already helped reduce Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) specialist wait times from two years to 10 days.
Austal Giving has donated A$50,000 to help the program expand and allow it to treat more patients in Southern Metropolitan Perth.
The Djaalinj Waakinj ('listening and hearing' in Noongar) Ear Portal Program operates out of the Cockburn Integrated Health Centre in Perth Western Australia and focuses on the testing and treatment of middle ear infections in Aboriginal children.
The program is run by the Telethon Kids Institute, whose research has shown while 25-30 per cent of children under the age of three years-old have middle ear infections, but that figure is more than 50 per cent for Aboriginal children.
Paediatric audiologist and Telethon Kids Institute Head of Ear Health Chris Brennan-Jones said Aboriginal children were twice as likely to have an ear infection in their early life and more likely to have it earlier.
The Djaalinj Waakinj Ear Portal program focuses on identifying ear health issues as soon as possible and it has already helped reduce Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) specialist wait times from two years to 10 days.
Austal Giving has donated A$50,000 to help the program expand and allow it to treat more patients in Southern Metropolitan Perth.
