INTRODUCING EAR FOUNDATION AUSTRALIA

Since it was founded in 2013, Earbus Foundation WA (EFWA) has  built a strong reputation for showing up in communities, listening, and supporting children and families across Western Australia. 

 As of July 1st, we are taking the next step in that journey and become Ear Foundation Australia. 

Every day, we listen by showing up consistently, respectfully and alongside communities to understand what’s needed and responding early. We know that ear health is about more than hearing; it shapes education, self-confidence and life outcomes for children. And over time, our work has grown well beyond the bus. 

 We support children from first contact through to lasting change through early detection, treatment and ongoing care, while helping build systems and pathways that enable support to continue beyond the visit. 

Alongside our Earbus outreach services, our programs include  

  • Newborn Hearing Screening, which supports early identification and specialist diagnostic testing for babies from birth,  

  • Hear Today, offering specialist hearing clinics and diagnostic care for children and adults,  

  • Wrap-The-Gap, delivering speech and occupational therapy support, and 

  • Ears2Learn, which partners with educators and early learning centres to strengthen early support for children. 

  The name Ear Foundation Australia reflects this broader role. It better represents the full impact of our work, not just how we reach communities, but how we work collaboratively to create lasting change. 

 Ear Foundation CEO and co-founder Dr Lara Shur said that while our name is changing, what matters most is not.  

 “This is a very exciting step in our journey since Earbus was founded in 2013,” she said.  

 “From the beginning, our focus has been on showing up, listening respectfully, and responding early. That hasn’t changed. What has changed is the scale of what we do and the pathways of care we can now provide. Ear Foundation Australia is a natural evolution of that journey, building on our original vision  and carrying it forward.”  - Dr Lara Shur

Ear Foundation will continue to show up in communities, listen with respect, and work with families, schools and local leaders.  

 Importantly, the Earbus remains a vital part of how we reach communities. Our mobile clinics will continue to operate as the trusted Earbus Outreach service communities know today. 

We were proud to partner with multi award-winning agency Block Branding to help bring this next phase to life. The new identity was designed to better represent who we are today, where we’re heading, and the impact we’re working to create. 

 Our new logo is made up of arrows in the shape of an ear and represents action, focus, direction and connection; a foundation that keeps moving forward and works from one community to the next to build stronger pathways of care. The use of orange is inspired by the Western Australian landscape, bringing warmth, optimism and energy to the brand.  

Becoming Ear Foundation Australia reflects our evolution and our commitment to continue reaching further and carrying impact forward. This isn’t a new direction, it’s simply a clearer expression of the journey we’re already on. 

Michelle Kiddie