Healthy Hearing Program
Hearing is critical to speech and language development, communication and learning. The earlier a hearing problem is identified and the right support provided, the lesser the impact it will have on a child’s development.
Children’s Health Queensland’s Healthy Hearing Program aims to identify hearing problems early and ensure babies and children with a permanent hearing loss can access the best care and support services they need to reach their full potential. The Healthy Hearing pathway starts with hearing screening (tests), and continues through diagnosis to early intervention programs and, where appropriate, surgical interventions (such as cochlear implants).
The statewide Healthy Hearing Program includes:
- Newborn screening
- Community screening clinics
- Queensland Children’s Hospital Childhood Hearing Clinic
- Queensland Hearing Loss Family Support Service
It’s important to remember that a child’s hearing can change over time. If at any time you have concerns about your baby or child’s hearing, contact your doctor or staff at your local child health clinic. A hearing screening (or ‘test’) can be performed on children of any age.
Who can access this service?
The Healthy Hearing Program provides screening and additional support services for eligible children from birth to the age of 16. For detailed eligibility and referral information for each service offered under the program, visit the relevant page (see left).
Where to get your child’s hearing screened
Public audiology services in Queensland
Families can access public paediatric diagnostic audiology testing at the following locations:
| Location | Venue | Telephone |
|---|---|---|
| Brisbane | Queensland Children’s Hospital | 07 3068 2385 |
| Brisbane | Mater Audiology, South Brisbane | 07 3163 8685 |
| Central Queensland | Attune Rockhampton | 07 4933 5335 |
| Darling Downs | Toowoomba Hospital | 07 4616 6879 |
| Gold Coast | Gold Coast University Hospital | 07 3299 8975 |
| Ipswich | Ipswich Hospital | 07 3810 1385 |
| Logan | Logan Hospital | 07 3299 8975 |
| North Coast | Sunshine Coast University Hospital | 07 5202 3416 |
| North Queensland | Cairns Audiology Group, Cairns | 07 4054 5561 |
| North Queensland | Townsville Hospital | 07 4796 2763 |
| Sunshine Coast | Caboolture Hospital | 07 5316 5769 |
| Sunshine Coast | Sunshine Coast University Hospital | 07 5202 3416 |
Interpreter services for appointments
The Queensland Health Interpreter Service provides interpreters in Queensland Health public facilities statewide for patients and families who are not fluent in English or are hearing impaired. Interpreters are provided on-site (face-to-face), via video conference or over the phone, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at no charge to patients or their families.
Interpreter Service Coordinators help to:
- book, confirm and verify interpreter services
- develop and deliver awareness strategies for interpreter services
- organise staff training
- work with interpreters.
Ask our staff to book an interpreter for you.
Contact us
t: 07 3310 6222 (Monday to Friday, 8.30am–5pm)
e: Healthy_Hearing@health.qld.gov.au
Our team
Director
Dr Rachel Beswick
Queensland Hearing Loss Family Support Service
Jan Ardern
Queensland Children’s Hospital Childhood Hearing Clinic
Lauren McHugh
Community Hearing Screening Clinics (South East Queensland)
Mikaela Dammers
Northern area coordinator
Rowena Lyons
Central area coordinator
Delene Thomas
Southern area coordinator
Jayne Hegarty
