Professor Amanda Jane Leach AM
Senior Principal Research Fellow, Head of the Ear Health Research Program, Child and Maternal Health Division
Qualifications:
Master of Agricultural Science; PhD (Medicine).
Approved level of HDR supervision at Charles Darwin University:
Principal Supervisor for PhD
Location:
Darwin - Royal Darwin Hospital campus
Biography:
Professor Amanda Leach AM is leader of the Ear Health Research Program, Child Health Division.
Prof Leach has 157 career publications; her 1994 PhD publication (cited by 408) described for the first time that Indigenous infants acquire nasopharyngeal bacterial pathogens within weeks of life and that acquisition predicted onset of otitis media (OM).
Prof Leach led the 6-year NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Ear and Hearing Health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children to 2021. Prof Leach led the update of the 2010 OM Guidelines including an OM app using the highest quality international GRADE approach, also endorsed as a Guideline by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. She was NHMRC lead investigator for two vaccine trials (PREVIX_COMBO and PREVIX_BOOST), a study of school readiness (VOICES), and is co-investigator of a CSOM treatment trial (IHEARBETA), two trials for treatment of OM in urban Aboriginal children (WATCH and INFLATE), two new trials of Aboriginal Health Practitioner ear support for Aboriginal children in hospital (Deadly Ears in Deadly Hands), and a trial of Azithromycin before Birth.
Prof Leach is Joint Chair with Professor Kelvin Kong, for the 5-year Hearing for Learning Initiative – a funding partnership between The Balnaves Foundation, the Northern Territory Government, and the Australian Government. The goal of this stepped-wedge cluster randomised trial of accredited and skills training and employment in 20 communities is to establish local, sustainable, clinical and education expertise to support elimination of social and educational disadvantage caused by ear disease and hearing loss.
In 2011 she won a 6-year NHMRC Senior Research Fellowship which was awarded the inaugural Elizabeth Blackburn Fellowship for top ranking female applicant in the clinical category.
In 2019 Prof Leach won the Telstra NT Business Woman of the Year, and in 2020, Prof Leach was made a Member (AM) of the Order of Australia for significant service to ear disease research, and to Indigenous child health.
Research Themes
- Child and Maternal Health
- Ear and Hearing Health
- Hare, K.M., Marsh, R.L., Binks, M.J., Grimwood, K., Pizzutto, S.J., Leach, A.J., Chang, A.B. & Smith-Vaughan, H.C. (2013). Quantitative PCR confirms culture as the gold standard for detection of lower airway infection by nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae in Australian Indigenous children with bronchiectasis. Journal of Microbiological Methods, 92(3), 270-272.
- Marsh, R.L., Binks, M.J., Beissbarth, J., Christensen, P., Morris, P.S., Leach, A.J. & Smith-Vaughan, H.C. (2012). Quantitative PCR of ear discharge from Indigenous Australian children with acute otitis media with perforation supports a role for Alloiococcus otitidis as a secondary pathogen. BMC Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders, 12, 11.
- Binks, M.J., Temple, B., Kirkham, L.A., Wiertsema, S.P., Dunne, E.M., Richmond, P.C., Marsh, R.L., Leach, A.J. & Smith-Vaughan, H.C. (2012). Molecular surveillance of true nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae: an evaluation of PCR screening assays. PLoS One, 7(3), e34083.
- McAllister, L.J., Ogunniyi, A.D., Stroeher, U.H., Leach, A.J. & Paton, J.C. (2011). Contribution of serotype and genetic background to virulence of serotype 3 and serogroup 11 pneumococcal isolates. Infection and Immunity, 79(12), 4839-4849.
- Hare, K.M., Smith-Vaughan, H.C. & Leach, A.J. (2011). Viability of respiratory pathogens cultured from nasopharyngeal swabs stored for up to 12 years at -70°C in skim milk tryptone glucose glycerol broth. Journal of Microbiological Methods, 86(3), 364-367.
- Binks, M.J., Cheng, A.C., Smith-Vaughan, H., Sloots, T., Nissen, M., Whiley, D., McDonnell, J. & Leach, A.J. (2011). Viral-bacterial co-infection in Australian Indigenous children with acute otitis media. BMC Infectious Diseases, 11, 161.
- Jacoby, P., Carville, K.S., Hall, G., Riley, T.V., Bowman, J., Leach, A.J., Lehmann, D. & the Kalgoorlie Otitis Media Research Project Team. (2011). Crowding and other strong predictors of upper respiratory tract carriage of otitis media-related bacteria in Australian Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children. Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal, 30(6), 480-485.
- Harvey, R.M., Stroeher, U.H., Ogunniyi, A.D., Smith-Vaughan, H.C., Leach, A.J. & Paton, J.C. (2011). A variable region within the genome of Streptococcus pneumoniae contributes to strain-strain variation in virulence. PLoS One, 6(5), e19650.
- Jacups, S.P., Morris, P.S. & Leach, A.J. (2011). Haemophilus influenzae type b carriage in Indigenous children and children attending childcare centers in the Northern Territory, Australia, spanning pre- and post-vaccine eras. Vaccine, 29(16), 3083-3088.
- Slade, G.D., Bailie, R.S., Roberts-Thomson, K., Leach, A.J., Raye, I., Endean, C., Simmons, B. & Morris, P. (2011). Effect of health promotion and fluoride varnish on dental caries among Australian Aboriginal children: results from a community-randomized controlled trial. Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology, 39(1), 29-43.
Click here to view more Amanda Leach publications in PubMed.
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MEDIA RELEASE | New research: NT children receive an effective vaccine to reduce hearing loss
A world-first study led by Menzies School of Health Research has uncovered that Northern Territory (NT) First Nations children aged 12-36 months have access to an effective vaccine that could prevent hearing loss.
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MEDIA RELEASE | NHMRC Grants awarded to investigate local and global health challenges
Five researchers from Menzies School of Health Research have been awarded National Health and Medical Research Council Investigator Grants in today’s funding round announcement.
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MEDIA RELEASE | Landmark vaccine study identifies innovative use of vaccines for protection of babies worldwide
A first ever novel, innovative study into the impact of two different vaccines used to combat the many different bacteria causing middle ear infections and hearing impairment in First Nations babies has been published in the prestigious medical journal The Lancet Infectious Diseases.
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Hopes AI program can treat Indigenous hearing loss in remote areas
Professor Amanda Leach, who runs the ear health research program at Menzies School of Health Research in Darwin, said the illness was common in remote Indigenous communities across the Northern Territory.
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New interactive guidelines for healthy ears
I-CHEAR director and Menzies School of Health Research senior principal research fellow, Professor Amanda Leach AM said that the updated guidelines are needed to improve delivery and access to quality ear health care across Australia.
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New multi-platform interactive guidelines for healthy ears
The Otitis Media guidelines have been launched today to assist healthcare workers provide comprehensive and appropriate care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children with otitis media and hearing problems.
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Ear disease in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children
In remote communities across the Northern Territory (NT), only one in 10 Aboriginal children younger than three years have healthy ears, a new report in the Medical Journal of Australia (MJA) has found.
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Otitis media guidelines for Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children
This 2020 update by the Centre of Research Excellence in Ear and Hearing Health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children.
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ABC News | 2021 NT Order of Australia recipients include scientists, space researchers and police
Featuring Menzies Prof Alan Cass AO and Prof Amanda Leach AM.
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Graduates ready to help solve chronic Indigenous hearing loss
The first class of hearing experts trained in Katherine have graduated ready to start work soon.
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CDU academics named among world’s most influential
Menzies School of Health Research Professor Bart Currie, Professor Anne Chang AM, Professor Ric Price, Associate Professor Steven Tong, Professor Nicholas Anstey, Professor Joshua Davis, Professor Alan Cass, Professor Peter Morris and Professor Amanda Leach
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University of Newcastle | Aboriginal ear surgeon honoured with Menzies Medallion
Associate Professor Kelvin Kong received the medal on Friday, recognising his leadership in Aboriginal health service delivery, advocacy and research.
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Aboriginal ear surgeon honoured with Menzies Medallion
Australia’s first Aboriginal surgeon, the highly acclaimed ear, nose and throat surgeon, Associate Professor Kelvin Kong has been awarded the prestigious Menzies Medallion.
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The health initiative placing Tiwi ears in Tiwi hands
Menzies has celebrated its first graduates of the Hearing for Learning Initiative, a community-based training program focused on the detection and prevention of ear health issues.
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NT News | Graduates a boost for ear health
A group of Tiwi Islanders are working to improve ear health in their communities after becoming the first graduates of a new ear infection prevention program.
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Menzies School of Health Research puts Tiwi ears in Tiwi hands
A community-based ear health training initiative is empowering on the ground health services in the Tiwi Islands.
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First Nations Telegraph | Tiwi ears in Tiwi hands
Newly graduated ear health facilitators will provide local knowledge and expertise when checking the ears and hearing of children in their community.
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Katherine recruits wanted to help with chronic ear health problems
The community-based solution to the life-long problem of hearing loss among almost all Aboriginal children is also being rolled out in Katherine later this year.
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Media release | Tiwi ears in Tiwi hands
Newly graduated ear health facilitators will provide local knowledge and expertise when checking the ears and hearing of children in their community.
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Acute lower respiratory infections in Indigenous infants in the NT
Menzies senior research fellow Dr Michael Binks examined acute lower respiratory infection (ALRI) hospital admissions among Indigenous infants in the Northern Territory from 2006 to 2015, across three periods of different pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) use.
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You can't learn if you can't hear - sign up to become a community ear health helper
A new community-based solution to the life-long problem of hearing loss among almost all Aboriginal children is going to be rolled out in Katherine.
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Hearing for Learning in the Northern Territory
A new community-based training initiative is focusing on prevention through early detection of ear issues in young children.
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You can't learn if you can't hear - sign up to become a community ear health helper
A new community-based solution to the life-long problem of hearing loss among almost all Aboriginal children is going to be rolled out in Katherine.
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Hearing for Learning on Bathurst Island
A new community-based training initiative is focusing on prevention through early detection of ear issues in young children.
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Hearing loss impacts school attendance among Australia's aboriginal children
The study was led by Dr. Jiunn-Yih Su with the Centre for Child Development and Education, Menzies School of Health Research, and the Charles Darwin University.
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High levels of hearing loss are linked with absenteeism
A team of researchers led by Menzies, CDU, recommend better early detection for treatment to support students with hearing difficulties.
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Hearing loss linked to poor school attendance for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children
The first study investigating hearing impairment on school attendance for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children has been released.
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Media Release | Hearing loss linked to poor school attendance in the Northern Territory
A study investigating the independent impact of hearing impairment (HI) on school attendance for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children has been released today.
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Hearing loss linked to poor school attendance in the Northern Territory
Study investigating the impact of hearing impairment on school attendance for children published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health.
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It’s possible to take a break from science and make a comeback
Overcoming gender bias and structural barriers is a hard task, on top of the research itself. Someone who has achieved both is Prof Amanda Leach.
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Severe specialist shortage leaves Aboriginal children at risk of hearing loss
Menzies School of Health Research professor Amanda Leach has been working in hearing health in the NT and said Aboriginal communities were becoming frustrated with service delivery.
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Mix 104.9 | 2020 Telstra Business Women’s Awards
2019 Telstra Northern Territory Business Woman of the Year, Professor Amanda Leach - a Principal Research Fellow at leading medical research institute the Menzies School of Health Research – urged other women to set ambitious goals.
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'I cried from happiness': Indigenous toddler hears her first words
The government has provided funding to the Menzies School of Health Research's Hearing for Learning Initiative, a five-year $7.9m program in which health project officers help Aboriginal children with hearing problems.
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Government funded health programs for NT's deaf children
The government has provided funding to the Menzies School of Health Research's Hearing for Learning Initiative, a five-year $7.9m program in which health project officers help Aboriginal children with hearing problems, NT Health Minister Natasha Fyles said.
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Media Release | Improved ear and hearing planned for children in Maningrida
The Mala’la Health Service Aboriginal Corporation has welcomed Maningrida‘s participation in the Menzies School of Health Research (Menzies) Hearing for Learning Initiative.
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Indigenous issues top to-do list as super-rich urged to dig deep
Supports for a five-year project at the Menzies School of Health Research to address hearing problems among indigenous people in the Northern Territory.
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NT News | Big Night for Territorians
Report on Professor Amanda Leach and other NT finalists in the 2019 Telstra Businesswomen's Awards .
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Indigenous health in limelight at Telstra Business Women’s Awards
Professor Amanda Leach is a Principal Senior Research Fellow at the Menzies School of Health Research, the institute leading the way in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander medical research.
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NT News | Prof Amanda Leach 2019 Telstra NT Business Woman of the Year
Professor Amanda Leach, named the 2019 Telstra Northern Territory Business Women of the Year and the For Purpose and Social Enterprise Award.
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Menzies researchers’ finalists in the 2019 Telstra Business Women’s Awards
Two researchers from Menzies School of Health Research (Menzies) have been named finalists in the 2019 Telstra Business Women’s Awards.
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NT News | Our children's hearing crisis
To address chronic hearing problems in the NT's most vulnerable children a $7.9 million community-led program will be rolled out.
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New program to tackle ear infection crisis
The five-year Hearing for Learning program is based on research by scientists at the Menzies School of Health Research and will employ and train community residents to help spot and treat ear disease and hearing problems.
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The Australian | Silence is golden but not when it’s permanent
Meanwhile, in the Northern Territory, dozens of project officers in 20 communities will complement the work of visiting ear specialists under a $7.9m partnership between the commonwealth, the Northern Territory government and the Balnaves Foundation, supported by the Menzies School of Health Research.
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Lend me your ear: New program targets hearing problems in NT children
RACGP report on the Hearing for Learning Initiative.
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Hearing loss a serious issue
Announced in August, Hearing for Learning is a five year program of the NT Government, founded on research by scientists at the Darwin-based Menzies School of Health Research.
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Daily Mail | How 90 PER CENT of Aboriginal children are born with ear disease and most will end up half-deaf with brain development problems
A shocking 90 per cent of Aboriginal children in remote Northern Territory communities under three years old are born with an ear disease that can lead to significant development problems.
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ABC | 'Glue ear' project to fight hearing loss and improve outcomes for Aboriginal children
Up to nine in every 10 Aboriginal children in some remote Northern Territory communities have a hearing impairment, but a new project aims to tackle that by training locals and reducing fly-in-fly-out (FIFO) specialists.
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Ear Health Funding
Coverage of the Hearing for Learning Initiative Launch with the Northern Territory Government and the Balnaves Foundation on ABC TV News.
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Investing in Territory Kids and Generational Change – Hearing for Learning
A public private partnership between the Northern Territory Government, Australian Government and the Balnaves Foundation is addressing chronic hearing problems in Territory children.
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NT News 14 August 2018 OMOZ 2018 coverage and editorial
5th Australian Otitis media Conference underway in Darwin.
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Indigenous ear health the "missing piece of the disadvantage puzzle"
RN Life Matters - In many Indigenous communities, middle ear infections are rife, leading to hearing problems and a life of disadvantage.
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Australian Doctor - otitis media clinical trial
Otitis Media - a clinical trial where Indigenous infants will receive an extra dose of pneumococcal vaccine to try and cut down the rates of incidence.
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New Vaccine could help reduce Chronic ear disease.
Menzies School of Health researchers are hoping to reduce rates of a chronic ear disease called Otis Media, in remote indigenous communities. (Image source: creative commons)
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Extra vaccines may reduce 'unacceptable rates' of chronic ear disease in Indigenous children
The Menzies School of Health Research is conducting a clinical trial in remote communities in the Northern Territory and Western Australia, and hope the results will change the public health approach and give more help to families.
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New treatment trialled in battle against ear disease
In a world first, Northern Territory researchers are trialling a new treatment to heal an ear disease plaguing Indigenous communities and causing lifelong disadvantage.
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Menzies secures 2016 NHMRC funding for groundbreaking projects
Innovation and transformation are at the heart of the Menzies School of Health Research (Menzies) projects which have secured funding in the highly competitive NHMRC grant round.
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Bulging ear drums and hearing loss: Aboriginal kids have the highest otitis media rates in the world
This article is the final in our three-part series on blinding, deafening and sometimes deadly conditions in Indigenous Australian children that have little to no impact on their non-Indigenous counterparts.
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Support call over children's ear health
LEADING ear health experts at Menzies School of Health Research (Menzies) are calling for more investment in the prevention and treatment of ear disease and hearing loss among Indigenous children.
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What is the relationship between lifelong hearing loss and Indigenous incarceration? A powerful story to mark Hearing Awareness Week
What profound impact could be had on high rates of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander incarceration by ensuring better hearing for children and adults? It’s an important question raised in this moving post below, to mark Hearing Awareness Week, from Sam Harkus, Principal Audiologist, Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Services.
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Call to prevent hearing loss and improve school readiness in young children
In recognition of Hearing Awareness Week (August 21-27), leading ear health experts at Menzies School of Health Research (Menzies) are calling for more investment in the prevention and treatment of ear disease and hearing loss in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
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Menzies ear and hearing health program wins $2.5 million in ‘research excellence’ funding
A leading ear and hearing health collaborative research program led by Menzies was today declared a ‘Centre of Research Excellence (CRE)’ and awarded funding of $2.5 million over five years.
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ABC Darwin: Menzies launches giant ear
Aboriginal health worker Joe Daby has seen the worst when it comes to ear health in Territory communities.
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Health to shine at Close The Gap Day Charity Breakfast
An opportunity to hear from leading Indigenous health experts about inventive new ways they are closing the gap is set to draw some of the Territory’s most influential and iconic identities for a formal charity breakfast.
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Territory researchers win national awards
Two researchers from Menzies School of Health Research were recognised for their contribution to the science community at the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Gala Dinner held at Parliament House in Canberra last night.
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Ear disease affecting Territory children