Ear Science Institute Australia’s research manager, Dr Rob Eikelboom, has been named Australia’s leading researcher in audiology, speech and language pathology for the second consecutive year by The Australian’s Research magazine.
Others in the sector also honoured for the second year in a row were The University of Queensland (UQ), Professor Richard Harvey and Macquarie University.
The newspaper’s Research 2026 magazine used publicly available data on Google Scholar to assess Australia’s top research performers and institutions across 250 fields of research.
Ranking is based on the quality and impact of their work measured by the number of citations for papers published (by the individual or the institution) in the top 20 journals of each field in the past five years, ensuring only recent quality work is assessed.
UQ was named the leading research institution in Australia for audiology, speech and language pathology.
In the otolaryngology field, Macquarie University was named Australia’s leading institution while Professor Richard Harvey from Macquarie University was the nation’s leading researcher in otolaryngology.
Impactful research
Dr Eikelboom, Corporate and Adjunct/Associate Professor at the University of Western Australia, has expertise in clinical research, epidemiology and telehealth.
His collaborative approach in integrating research with clinical practice has made him an integral part of the Ear Science team since he joined in 2001. He works closely with the team of researchers and clinicians at Ear Science as well as national and international institutions.
“Rob is a treasured senior research leader here at Ear Science who exemplifies our values and is devoted to conducting impactful research that is relevant and changes lives for the better,” said Ear Science Institute Australia CEO, Adjunct/Associate Professor UWA Sandra Bellekom.
“Rob leads quietly and sets an extraordinary example for the many early career researchers that he mentors – being both highly productive and efficient.
“With collaborations spanning the planet, Rob is a highly sought after research partner in many areas of ear and hearing science.”
A/Prof Bellekom said he represented “the very fabric of what Ear Science stands for – evidence-based excellence in clinical care for those with ear and hearing disorders.”
“Congratulations Rob on being recognised for your contribution to the hearing health of humanity,” she said.
His research in 2025 has included a report on cochlear implantation procedures in Australia over the past 23 years, a paper on the impact of cochlear implants on partner relationships, and a review of ear and hearing services to remote communities in the East Pilbara over the last 10 years.
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