Healthy Hearing Program
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 earlier a hearing problem is identified, and appropriate support provided, the better the outcomes for a child’s development. The Healthy Hearing pathway starts with hearing screening, and continues through diagnosis to early intervention programs and, where appropriate, surgical interventions (such as cochlear implants).
The statewide Healthy Hearing Program includes:
- Newborn hearing 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 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).
Audiology services for the Healthy Hearing Program in Queensland
The below services provide hearing testing for the Healthy Hearing Program. Not all testing is available in all sites.
| Location | Venue | Telephone |
|---|---|---|
| Brisbane | Queensland Children’s Hospital | 07 3068 3710 |
| Brisbane | Mater Audiology, South Brisbane | 07 3163 8685 |
| Brisbane | Hear and Say | 07 3850 2111 |
| Central Queensland | Rockhampton Base Hospital | 07 4920 6300 |
| Darling Downs | Toowoomba Hospital | 07 4616 5049 |
| Gold Coast | Gold Coast University Hospital | 07 5687 4525 |
| Ipswich | Ipswich Hospital | 07 3810 1355 |
| Logan | Logan Hospital | 07 3089 2831 |
| Sunshine Coast | Sunshine Coast University Hospital | 07 5202 3416 |
| North Queensland | Cairns Base Hospital | 07 4226 8323 |
| North Queensland | Townsville Hospital | 07 4433 2700 |
| Brisbane Northside/Moreton Bay | Caboolture Hospital | 07 5433 8625 |
| Mackay | Mackay Hearing | 07 4885 7600 |
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
Dr Jan Andren
Queensland Children’s Hospital Childhood Hearing Clinic
Lauren McHugh
Community Hearing Screening Clinics (South East Queensland)
Mikaela Dammers
Northern area coordinator
Deanna Ward
Central area coordinator
Rhonda Maloney
Southern area coordinator
Jayne Hegarty
