Paediatric audiologist Associate Professor Chris Brennan-Jones has been announced as a finalist for the country’s leading national science awards – the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes.
Named in the top three for the Macquarie University Eureka Prize for Outstanding Early Career Researcher award, the highly skilled clinician-scientist from the Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases at The Kids Research Institute Australia, Curtin University and Perth Children’s Hospital has been recognised for his significant research achievements, including his work on the multi-award-winning Ear Portal program.
Affecting 650,000 Australian children each year, middle ear infections, also known as otitis media (OM) can cause long-term hearing loss if not caught and treated early, but overwhelming demand on the public hospital system led to some children waiting over two years for specialist treatment.
Concerned by the long wait, A/Prof Brennan-Jones led key epidemiological studies to investigate the impact this delay had on developmental and mental health outcomes, demonstrating a long-term effect on language, behavioural and educational development.
“If you can’t hear, you can’t learn, meaning kids fall behind their peers in the crucial years leading up to starting school. Unfortunately, Aboriginal children are disproportionately affected by this – over 50 per cent of Aboriginal kids living in metropolitan Perth experience persistent OM and hearing loss in their first year of life,” A/Prof Brennan-Jones said.
Working in partnership with clinicians, health services and the Djaaalinj Waakinj Aboriginal Community Advisory Group to design a new diagnostic approach, A/Prof Brennan-Jones and his team developed the innovative Ear Portal program, reducing wait times down from two years to just two weeks.
The program, which uses the latest telehealth technology and support from local health workers, has guided changes in clinical practice by improving efficiency without compromising accuracy. The aim is to significantly reduce the long-term effects caused by delayed assessment and treatment.
A/Prof Brennan-Jones said while he was honoured to be a Eureka finalist, much of the Ear Portal’s success should be attributed to the Aboriginal health researchers, specialist clinicians and partner organisations who have teamed up in a bid to improve the lives of these children.
“This has been very much a collaborative effort with vital roles played by Austal, Cockburn Integrated Health, Perth Children’s Hospital ENT and Audiology Departments, Child and Adolescent Health Service, Moorditj Koort Aboriginal Corporation, South Coastal Babbingur Mia, East Metropolitan and South Metropolitan Health Services, Dr Francis Lannigan, Dr George Sim, Hearing Australia, Telethon Speech and Hearing and St John of God Murdoch Hospital,” he said.
Professor Kelvin Kong, an Otolaryngologist, Head & Neck Surgeon from Hunter ENT in New South Wales, praised A/Prof Chris Brennan-Jones for his consistent dedication and professionalism in the pursuit of improvements in ear health of Aboriginal children.
“With a keen eye on health service delivery, guidelines for treatment of ear disease and research for new directions in children’s health, A/Prof Brennan-Jones’ name is at the forefront of many milestone moments shaping future management of ear disease for Aboriginal children across Australia,” Professor Kong said.
“He is a true leader but is compassionate and empathetic – ensuring the research journey truly engages the Aboriginal community so they are equal partners. As a Worimi man from NSW, I believe it is important to see researchers and clinicians of his calibre working with Aboriginal communities in a truly meaningful manner.”
The Macquarie University Eureka Prize for Outstanding Early Career Researcher is awarded for outstanding scientific research conducted by an individual early career researcher.
The Australian Museum Eureka Prize winners will be announced at the Award Ceremony in Sydney on Wednesday 31 August. Find out more or register to watch the ceremony live online via the Eureka Prize website.