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Good vibrations
Hearing loss is Australia’s second most prevalent health concern, with a financial cost to the community of nearly $12 billion annually. This cost is additional to the social, educational and employment problems experienced by hearing impaired people and their families.
The Ear Science Institute Australia (ESIA) is an independent, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to the research and treatment of ear, hearing and balance disorders. It undertakes research into the causes, treatment and prevention of hearing disorders; provides up-to-date information to professionals and the public; works to raise public awareness and supports community service providers working in this area.
Lotterywest recently make a $3.5m grant to the Ear Science Institute Australia towards the construction of its new premises in Subiaco.
“ESIA currently operates from a number of scattered locations around metropolitan Perth, which is less than ideal for both our staff and the people needing our combined services,” said Professor Marcus Atlas, ESIA Director.
“The Lotterywest grant will go a long way towards the construction of accessible new premises. The new facility will bring together the institute’s teams and activities in one place for the first time, and allow for the daily interface between scientists, clinicians, educators community groups and clients,” added Professor Atlas.
Construction is already underway on the new building. On its completion in early 2009, the facility will be home to ESIA’s internationally-recognised research teams together with a state-of-the-art Lions Hearing Clinic and specialist consulting rooms.
Plans are well advanced for the new facility to house a day surgery unit, including a dedicated surgical training facility. This will allow surgeons from around Australia and overseas to learn from the leading experts in the field in procedures such as cochlear implants. The new premises will also house a Hearing Discovery Centre aimed at promoting awareness and understanding of hearing and balance disorders, which will incorporate an interactive public information and resource centre as well as facilities for early self-diagnosis.
A visionary project
ESIA started discussions on this project with Lotterywest in 2006, based on an offer from the Catholic Archdiocese for a 50 year lease on land adjacent to the St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Subiaco. ESIA went on to secure more than $10m in pledges and donations, and a bank loan to cover any shortfall in funding.
Lotterywest was able to approve the substantial grant towards the project in recognition of the services that ESIA provides which directly benefit the WA community such as ground-breaking research and the provision of information and facilities at the Hearing Discovery Centre.
Runs on the board
ESIA’s outstanding reputation in its field has attracted international scientists and doctors to join its staff.
It has achieved world firsts of growing tissue-engineered human eardrum cells in a laboratory, and by successfully placing two cochlea implants at the same time in a landmark surgery in 2006. ESIA has also successfully set up ear telemedicine systems in remote Western Australian communities as well as in India, which has allowed health professionals to accurately diagnose ear conditions using a specially-developed software program.
“The research being done by ESIA has the potential to make an enormous impact on ear and balance disorders which affect an estimated 400,000 people in Western Australia alone,” said Professor Atlas.
“The completion of a new world-class facility will both help our own research teams in continuing their valuable work, and assist us in continuing to provide the best possible treatment and services to the community.”