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NAL scientist makes Queen's Birthday honours list

12/06/08

Dr Teresa Ching, a Senior Research Scientist at Australian Hearing's research arm, the National Acoustic Laboratories (NAL) has been recognised in the Queen's birthday honours list for her role in leading groundbreaking discoveries about early intervention in hearing loss.

Winning a public service medal for her 15 years of research at NAL, Dr Ching's work in understanding hearing loss, particularly among children, has been recognised internationally. Her work has changed clinical practices in Australia and abroad.

Professor Harvey Dillon, Director of Research at NAL, said Dr Ching's research showed that children born with hearing loss are developing language skills at the same rate as children with normal hearing if their loss is diagnosed at birth. "Dr Ching is conducting the first population-based study in the world in this area which is providing new-born screening with a very sound evidence base," Professor Dillon said.

"Dr Ching's earlier research has also paved the way for future cochlear implant research by showing how the functions of hearing aids and cochlear implants can be combined to the benefit of the users," he said.

Minister for Human Services, Senator the Hon Joe Ludwig, congratulated Dr Ching on being awarded the Public Service Medal which honours those who have made a major contribution to the Australian community.

"Children with hearing loss will benefit from Dr Ching's work, in their educational, psychological, social and vocational lives," Senator Ludwig said. "Improved hearing health not only enables individuals to experience more enriched lives, but has a positive impact on the wider community," he added.

The Public Service Medal recognises outstanding service by employees of the Australian Government and state, territory and local government employees.

Dr Ching said that receiving a Public Service Medal was great recognition for the work that her team and peers were doing to provide better outcomes for those with hearing loss. "Through collaborative investigation, we are keeping Australia at the forefront of international research and impacting on future clinical approaches around the world," she said.

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