Audiology booth opens at Kununurra

A new audiology booth has opened at Kununurra Hospital, which will give local families easier access to potentially life-changing ear-health services.

The new purpose-built booth will mean more accurate hearing tests for children and adults, more convenient pre-operative and post-operative consultations, and it will allow children from remote East Kimberley communities to be seen and treated closer to home.

WA Country Health Service Kimberley regional director Bec Smith said the new facility, in the foyer of Kununurra Hospital, would be a welcome addition to local health services.

“Ear health is critically important for children’s growth and development, and this new specialist facility will enable local families to get those important checks earlier in the familiar environment of the Kununurra Hospital,” she said.

“We will now be able to test and diagnose children from newborns, giving families even more support to help their young ones.”

The facility will also give visiting audiologists — as well as ear, nose and throat specialists — expanded capability to carry out ear-health checks on children aged under four, in addition to the checks provided for older children.