The first class of hearing experts trained in Katherine have graduated ready to start work soon.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Marlee Bryce, Nikita Lines, Sherrilee Hayes and Tasheena Rankine officially finished the Hearing for Learning Initiative and left with a Certificate II in Aboriginal Primary Health.
The program was run by the Menzies School of Health Research.
Hearing for Learning Initiative joint chair Amanda Leach said the program teaches the students how to detect potential ear infections and hearing loss in remote Indigenous children before referring them to a health specialist.
Professor Leach said remote Indigenous children aren't getting the care they need right now.
"This is a major problem, ear and hearing problems for Aboriginal kids across the Territory," she said.
"Kids aren't getting properly serviced ... it's important to have hearing it's a human right."
The Menzies School of Health Research previously told the Katherine Times chronic hearing loss issues have been linked to poor school attendance in the Northern Territory.
Up to nine in every 10 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children under the age of three in the Northern Territory, suffer from otitis media, or "glue ear", in one or both ears.
"Most of that hearing and learning, and speech and language and brain development is happening in those early years," Professor Leach said.
Graduate Sherrilee Hayes said she was happy to finish the six week program and start working on country in local communities.
"I'm overwhelmed, proud not only of myself but of all the girls, we've achieved something that can help this community in the future," she said.
"I can't wait to start ... I think this is a good career start for us."
Graduate Marlee Bryce gave a speech on behalf of the class, thanking their trainers and looking ahead to working in the field.
The graduation was attended by stakeholders and community leaders like Deputy Mayor Peter Gazey.
Professor Leach said the program is unique and the first of its kind.
"This is a first, there's no one else delivering training for any other health condition on country," she said.
She said the graduates can become experts in more than just ears because the program allows them to move on to further studies or work in other areas of health care.
"I think this is a model of service delivery that can be picked up for skin issues for example."
Professor Leach said Katherine is one of 20 communities where the program will be rolled out, where up to five people will be trained in each community.
While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox each Friday at 6am from the Katherine Times. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, sign up here.
