Research at the Institute

Research into new technology and clinically applicable outcomes for ear and hearing disorders is the principal focus of Ear Science Institute Australia. Every research project is aimed at helping our patients and the community. This partnership between research and active treatment makes Ear Science Institute Australia a unique and comprehensive healthcare resource.

The Institute's research group comprises of a highly skilled team of specialists including:

• Otolaryngologists
• Bioengineers
• Computer Scientists
• Cell and Tissue Biologists
• Audiologists
• Undergraduate and Postgraduate Students

The work is carried out in close collaboration with surgeons, industry, other research institutions, universities, hospitals, Government agencies, and patients.

Masters and PhD research projects are available for science, engineering, audiology and medical graduates from Australia and overseas.

Focus of Research

Ear Science Institute Australia has gained a sound reputation as leaders in research and technology into the many debilitating diseases that affect hearing. Our commitment to the cause has been recognised internationally as our researchers continue to focus on these four major areas:

• Tissue Engineering
• Telehealth
• Clinical Research
• Epidemiology

Tissue Engineering

New tissues and organs to replace those damaged through disease or trauma can be grown from patients' own cells. Current treatment attempts to reconstruct the defects but often do not restore functions such as hearing. Researchers and scientists at Ear Science Institute Australia are developing techniques to engineer the eardrum, sections of the ear canal and the ossicular chain bones to restore the exact functions of the ear.

Telehealth

The Institute has developed a telehealth system to provide ear and hearing specialist care to those in remote areas. Images, clinical data and test results are sent through computer networks to be assessed and diagnosed online. This can potentially decrease the high level of ear disease in many areas of Australia and in developing countries. This highly acclaimed development has the potential to change clinical care models in urban and regional areas. Researchers are also involved projects that use technology to improve the clinical diagnosis and outpatient clinics.

Clinical Research

Giving hearing to those who have never heard, or returning hearing to those who have lost it, is now possible with a number of implant devices. These can greatly enhance the patient's quality of life. The Ear Science Institute Australia's researchers are involved in the advancement of these devices and the development of rehabilitation techniques that must accompany these implants.

Assessing the results of surgery and audiological rehabilitation is important to improve the outcomes for patients. Institute clinicians and researchers are at the leading edge of developments in middle ear surgery, hearing implants and imaging. 

Epidemiology

A detailed understanding of the prevalance of ear disease and hearing disorders in the Australian population are largely unknown. Institute researchers are members of the Busselton Healthy Ageing Study, a large collaborative project that is measuring the health of baby-boomers. Research will determine environmental and genetic determinants to ageing, including hearing loss, Meniere's disease, dizziness and tinnitus.