For over four years, Australian Hearing had been offering 3 scholarships/academic year to Aboriginal and Torres Islanders wishing to undertake studies in audiology. Applicants would then go on to pursue their studies in 3 participating universities.
The number of scholarships is now being increased to six and, from now on, applicants will be able to undertake audiology studies in any of the 6 Australian universities that currently offer studies in audiology.
Candidates are invited to apply through participating universities. The next application deadline is 4th of January 2019 for Flinders University in South Australia.
“To the best of our knowledge, we think there are only three Indigenous audiologists across Australia"
Samantha Harkus, Australian Hearing's Principal Audiologist for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Services is delighted about the increased capacity.
“We’ve been offering these scholarships for the last four years. What’s new is that we’ve doubled the number of scholarships available,” Samantha Harkus says.
These scholarships valued at $15,000 over a two-year study period are open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander graduates who hold a bachelor's degree from any discipline and who are accepted into audiology.
Successful applicants will also have the opportunity to travel to a remote community as part of an Australian Hearing outreach visit.
Australian Hearing has delivered hearing services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities for 30 years under the Australian Government Hearing Services Program. Last financial year, the organisation assisted more than 10,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and adults.
A hearing check Source: Supplied
Initially, there was one scholarship per university. Now the program has been extended to all universities that offer audiology studies in Australia. The latest inclusions are Latrobe and Melbourne Universities in Victoria as well as a University in WA .
Regrettably, the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander audiologists remains alarmingly low. Yet, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and adults experience ear and hearing problems at a higher rate than the general population.
Hearing loss and middle ear disease is extremely common in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
“The slightly sad story is that we’ve had only one applicant in the last 4 years. That’s largely due to the fact that audiology is not a very well-known profession even though it is absolutely fantastic,” Samantha Harkus says.
“To the best of our knowledge, we think there are only three Indigenous audiologists across Australia and one of them works with us.”
Though there are very few Indigenous graduates in audiology Samantha Harkus stresses that scholarship recipients are not obliged to work with Australian Hearing after completing their studies.
“There is no obligation for graduates to work for Australian Hearing. Of course, we’d be delighted if they come to work for us at the end of their studies but they can go and work either in diagnostic in hospitals or schools," Samantha Harkus says.
The principal audiologist adds that there are many audiologist jobs in the private sector as well. After graduating. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander audiologists can go in private practice or work for an Aboriginal program like the Deadly Ears program. There is no obligation to work for Australian Hearing.
Hearing loss and middle ear disease is extremely common in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and this has lasting health, social and well-being implications.
