Our Mission
Earbus Foundation is a WA-based Children's charity that works to reduce the incidence of middle ear disease in Aboriginal and at-risk children in our state. The Foundation brings together experts from Education, Health, Culture and Communities.
EARBUS PROGRAM
Through the Earbus outreach program our dedicated clinical team visit up to 65 locations in regional WA treating thousands of Aboriginal and at-risk children. With a fleet of Earbuses our goal is to eradicate the impacts of hearing loss and Otitis Media so that every young person can reach their full potential through listening and learning.
Our Regional Programs
Pilbara
2014 - Present
The Pilbara Earbus visits urban communities and playgroups in Hedland as well as remote communities of Strelley, Warralong and Yandeyarra in partnership with Wirrkaka Maya Aboriginal Health Service. The Pilbara Earbus program reaches as far as Marble Bar and Nullagine.
Goldfields
2014 - Present
In the Goldfields about 600km east of Perth, the Earbus visits remote communities of Menzies, Leonora and Laverton as well as Kalgoorlie-Boulder and surrounding towns on a monthly basis. Earbus works in partnership with Bega Garnbirringu Aboriginal Medical Service (AMS).
SOuth West
2017 - Present
With support from Ian Potter Foundation, Alcoa, MZI Resources and Stan Perron Charitable Trust we work in partnership withSouth West Aboriginal Medical Services (SWAMS) to provide a complete treatment pathway including Screening and Surveillance, Hearing Tests, GP and ENT consults.
Kimberley
2018 - Present
Our Latest program launched in May 2018. The Kimberley program sees resident staff stationed in Kununurra providing services across the East Kimberley and into the east Fitzroy Valley. The on-the-ground team is supported by specialist clinical visits from Perth every month.
NEWBORN HEARING SCREENING
It is estimated that 2 babies per 1000 born are born with a moderate to profound hearing loss in one or both ears. Newborn Hearing Screening Program is part of the National Neonatal Hearing Screening Framework and works to detect and treat early hearing loss.
Earbus Leadership Team
PAUL HIGGINBOTHAM
CEO and a founding member of Earbus Foundation, Paul coordinates operations. With over 30 years experience in the field of hearing impairment, Paul brings the leadership and business acumen that has seen Earbus go from a conversation around a kitchen table to a program that helps thousands of children in WA.
LARA SHUR
Audiologist and Speech Pathologist with vast experience working in paediatric and regional settings Lara is Director, Clinical Services and the co-founder of Earbus Foundation of Western Australia.
SUZIE COSTELLO
Program Manager of the Earbus Newborn Hearing Screening program, Suzie oversees the screening of thousands of newborn children in 7 private hospitals. Suzie has created a stable, reliable and effective screening program for families who birth in a private maternity hospital in WA.
EMMA CAHILL
Program Manager, Outreach. Emma manages the Pilbara and Goldfields outreach programs She has a wealth of experience in working alongside Indigenous communities and has worked in management roles in the not for profit sector for 7 years. Emma has a Graduate Certificate in Social Impact.
CARIS JALLA
Program Manger, Metropolitan and SW Outreach. Caris has worked in the health and community sector for over a decade. She has a background in Health Science and Economics and completed her Masters exploring wellbeing with Aboriginal youths with and without a disability. Caris is from the First Nations of Malaysia and is a proud Kelabit woman. Her family background and heritage has drawn her to work in Aboriginal health in WA.
EARBUS NEWS
From Perth to the regions, be informed of all our latest endeavours and stories, meet our newest team members and business partners, learn about our obstacles and how we plan to overcome them, here, on the Earbus Foundation blog.