Earbus Foundation of WA
Earbus Foundation of WA (Earbus) is a specialist non-government not-for-profit children’s charity that is registered with the Australian Charities and Not-For-Profit Commission (ACNC) and a registered Income Tax Exempt Charity and Deductible Gift Recipient with the Australian Taxation Office.
Earbus operates on the premise that services should be provided to families in locations that are easily accessible, and that wrap-around services provision is most effective in combating middle ear disease. Earbus work in the “third space” demonstrating that successful collaboration between First Nations people and non-Indigenous organisations is possible. Programs have been codesigned and are implemented within a Culturally Safe framework. The Chair of the Earbus Board is an Aboriginal Elder and Knowledge holder, and the Earbus Board has at least 50% Aboriginal representation. ABN: 55 1947 91400
Earbus provides:
- Ear health screening, surveillance and treatment program to Aboriginal and at-risk children across WA,
- Health promotions and educational programs in the regions we work
- Upskilling of local community members
- Audiological testing to Aboriginal and at-risk children
- Clinical Case management including management of ENT referral pathway i.e., clinics and surgery lists
IAHCF and Earbus have agreed to work together to establish and maintain a collaborative partnership, working in a mutually supportive way to enhance the health, wellbeing and education of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children with ear health conditions across WA.
Earbus Foundation of WA (Earbus) works to reduce the incidence and impact of middle ear disease and hearing loss in Aboriginal and at-risk children in Western Australia to below the World Health Organisation benchmark of 4%. Aboriginal children have the highest rates of middle ear disease in the world.
Working with schools, daycares, kindergartens and early learning centres, the Foundation’s innovative program model was co-designed by Aboriginal people for Aboriginal communities. Teams of nurses, doctors and audiologists provide vital hearing health services to children in regional and remote communities up to 11 times a year in partnership with local Aboriginal Medical Services and allied health agencies. Referrals are managed within the team, eradicating cost and accessibility as barriers to vulnerable children receiving the health care they need.
Earbus is excited to announce a new partnership with the Indo-Australian Healthcare Foundation to deepen their reach and impact in regional and remote communities as well as strengthen existing services in the Perth metropolitan area. The partnership will incorporate GP services as well as seek to pilot wraparound services not readily available in the areas in which Earbus operates, such as dentistry and ophthalmology.
Earbus Foundation CEO and co-founder Dr Lara Shur said “We are delighted to formalise our collaboration with our friends at the Indo-Australian Healthcare Foundation. These organisations align in terms of values and strategic focus, striving to make a difference to those most in need.”
The partnership commenced in March 2024.
Visit Earbus Foundation of WA at www.earbus.org.au
