Hearing plays a huge part in a child’s development, their learning, their confidence, and their connection to family and culture. That’s why the ear, nose and throat (ENT) and audiology clinics, delivered by South West Aboriginal Medical Service (SWAMS) through Healthy Ears, Better Hearing, Better Listening (HEBHBL), continue to be such an important part of the care available to community.
The ENT clinics offer specialist ear health support for children. Alongside this, the audiology clinics carry out hearing assessments for children, helping to pick up concerns early and connect families with the right care and referrals.
In 2025-26, 111 clients came through the ENT and audiology pathways. Of these, 14 were identified as needing surgery and consented to go ahead, meaning they could access specialist care sooner rather than later.
Healthy hearing underpins so much of a child’s life. Improving access to culturally safe ear and hearing health services helps children, communicate with more confidence, and participate more fully in school and community life. Catching ear disease early also means we can reduce the long-term impact hearing loss can have, not just on children, but on their families and communities as a whole.
The steady growth in clients accessing the clinic this year has been one of the real highlights, a sign that families trust the service and know where to turn when they need support. Looking ahead, the SWAMS team is preparing to attend the Otitis Media Australia (OMOZ) 2026 Conference, where they’ll build on their knowledge, connect with other practitioners, and bring evidence-based approaches back to strengthen the care provided locally.