ASOHNS News

WORLD HEARING DAY 2020: HEARING FOR LIFE: DON'T LET HEARING LOSS LIMIT YOU

World Hearing Day is held on 3 March each year to raise awareness on how to prevent deafness and hearing loss and promote ear and hearing care across the world. 

On World Hearing Day 2020, WHO will highlight that timely and effective interventions can ensure that people with hearing loss are able to achieve their full potential. It will draw attention to the options available in this respect.  

Key messages for World Hearing Day 2020: 

At all life stages, communication and good hearing health connect us to each other, our communities, and the world.

For those who have hearing loss, appropriate and timely interventions can facilitate access to education, employment and communication.

Globally, there is lack of access to interventions to address hearing loss, such as hearing aids.

Early intervention should be made available through the health systems.

Links to flyers for the following:

• WHD Toolkit
• WHD Presentation
• WHD People with Hearing Loss
• WHD Flyer for Parents
• WHD Infographic for Policy Makers

ASOHNS ADVISER ON DIVERSITY

Following the March ASOHNS Council meeting a new co-opted, honorary position of Advisor on Diversity was created on the ASOHNS Council. 

We thank all our members who took the time to submit an Expression of Interest.

The selection sub-committee were extremely pleased with the calibre of candidates, and their experience and willingness to take on the role.  

It is with great pleasure the ASOHNS Federal Council would like to announce that Dr Bridget Clancy FRACS (Victoria) has been offered and accepted the role. 

The Advisor on Diversity will attend Council Meetings and be involved with the oversight and implementation of diversity and inclusion across the society's activities, including Board activities (selection and training), member activities and annual scientific meetings. 

HEARING HEALTH ROADMAP

Australia’s first Hearing Health Roadmap has been created to improve the lives of the millions of Australians affected by hearing loss. 

The Roadmap was reviewed by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Health Council on Friday 8th of March, to spearhead a coordinated effort to improve hearing health.

The Roadmap can be accessed here :

https://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/CDFD1B86FA5F437CCA2583B7000465DB/$File/Roadmap%20for%20Hearing%20Health.pdf

QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY 2019 HONOUR LIST RECIPIENT

ASOHNS Federal Executive, Members and Secretariat would like to congratulate Professor Bruce Black on being awarded the Order of Australia in the Queen's Birthday 2019 Honours List, for significant services to Otolaryngology and to medical education.

ASOHNS 2019 INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP

We would like to announce that Dr Tika Ram Adhikari from Bhutan is the 2019 recipient of the International scholarship from the Australian Society of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery (ASOHNS), to attend surgical training courses and to observe Otolaryngology Head and Neck surgeons in Australia.

After a competitive process the committee selected Dr Adhikari from a strong and worthy field of candidates. 

The Royal Government of Bhutan provides its population of 0.7 million free health care through a three-tier system. There are no private hospitals or clinics in Bhutan. Any advanced and complicated diseased that cannot be treated in Bhutan are referred outside the country at government expense.

Dr Adhikari is one of five ENT surgeons who serve the needs of the whole nation and they don't have a trained Otologist in the country to work with the treatment of the approximate 18,000 ear cases they see. The annual health bulletin shows ear disease as among the top diseases across all districts in the country. Dr Adhikari is also a faculty member in the Khesar Gyelpo University of Medical Science of Bhutan actively involved in teaching ENT technicians, nurses, interns and residents. 

While in Australia in November Dr Adhikari will attend a Temporal Bone course in Perth and spend observation time with Professor Peter Friedland. With limited opportunity to upgrade his skill and knowledge at home Dr Adhikari is very pleased to be this year's scholarship recipient. 

ASOHNS 2019 SOCIETY MEDALS

Congratulations to recipients of the 2019 Society Medal who were presented with their medals during the 2019 ASOHNS Annual Scientific Meeting held in Brisbane.

For Distinguished Contribution to the Art and Science of Otolaryngology:

Dr Bal Krishnan

Dr Gerard Fogarty

Certificates of Appreciation:

2019 ASM Co - Convenor, Dr Scott Coman

and

2019 ASM Co - Convenor, Dr Ben Wallwork

NH & MRC IN FOCUS ARTICLE ON ASOHNS MEMBER A/PROF KELVIN KONG

Closing the Gap on ear health has been a key focus for many ASOHNS members. #EarHealthForLife

https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/about-us/news-centre/bringing-innovative-research-clinical-practice