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The University of Western Australia has become a member of the first international network of the world's leading hearing implant centres - one of only two members in Australia.

‘HEARRING', the International Network of Comprehensive Hearing Implant Centres, boasts 17 university-affiliated clinics in 15 countries on five continents.  The network's aims include raising awareness for hearing disorders, attaining the highest standards of scientific research; providing the best implantable devices for the hearing impaired; and delivering excellent patient care from the first consultation to post-surgery and rehabilitation.

UWA's Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery Unit, currently based at Fremantle Hospital, was represented at the Warsaw launch of ‘HEARRING' by its Group Leader, Professor Gunesh Rajan.

"Members of our Unit and its collaborators have played a pioneering role in Australia, establishing one of the most comprehensive hearing implant programs worldwide," Professor Rajan said.  "We embrace cutting-edge developments in cochlear implantation for complete, partial and single-sided deafness and we have introduced the latest middle ear implant applications to Australia.  The comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach is vital to achieve our goal of providing a hearing solution for anyone with a hearing problem.  The International HEARRING network is the logical next step to address these hearing disorders at a global level.

"Focusing on implant and hearing restoration research, we have additional outreach with the Hearing Implant Team of Princess Margaret Hospital working closely with the Unit.  We have members from all WA teaching hospitals, thus ensuring wide representation of otolaryngologists, head and neck surgeons and affiliated health sciences.

"Various specialties are represented in the Unit, such as neurosurgery, neuroradiology, audiology, balance physiotherapy and speech pathology, enabling a comprehensive management of hearing and balance disorders," Professor Rajan said.

For further information, visit the website www.hear-ring.com

Media references

Professor Gunesh Rajan (+61 8)  9431 2144
Janine MacDonald (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 5563  /  (+61 4) 32 637 716