The Hearing for Learning Initiative (HfLI) is a research project aimed at improving ear and hearing health services for 20 Aboriginal communities around the Northern Territory.
As part of the project, local community members are provided training in using ear and hearing equipment. The training is provided on-country for up to six weeks and includes three accredited units of the Certificate II in Aboriginal Primary Health Care:
- HLTAHW001 Work with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities
- FSKWTG006 Write simple workplace information
- HLTWHS001 Participate in workplace health and safety
In addition to the accredited units the training includes an ear health module which gives the trainees the ability to understand:
- The structure and functions of the ear (what the ear looks like and how it works)
- How to identify healthy and abnormal ears (sick ears)
- Otoscopy and Tympanometry
- Hearing Screening, and
- Health Promotion
During May, four Wadeye community members completed and graduated from the training. Graduates Casmira Tchinburrurr, Gerrarda Smiler, Jaz Dumoo and Ada Dumoo, pictured above, celebrated their success with the Menzies HfLI team Brinda Rowe, Trent Ward, Jenny Jenkins and Professor Amanda Leach AM.
In June, graduation ceremonies were also held in Ti-Tree and Lajamanu where seven people started and finished the training.
Wadeye graduate Jaz Dumoo says she discovered she was profoundly deaf in one ear during the training and attributes it to ongoing ear infections as a child.
“I hope to stop the same thing happening to others in my community, this training will help me to look after ear health in children and help parents to look after their kids ears,” she said.
The trainers next stops will be the Arnhem Land communities of Warruwi, Yirrkala, and Maningrida plus Alice Springs.
For more information visit https://www.menzies.edu.au/HfLI.