Why ear health matters
Ear disease is one of the most common — and most treatable — health conditions affecting Aboriginal children in Western Australia. This is why it matters, and what works.
Our next available appointment can be found by booking here…
Why ear health matters
Middle ear disease — otitis media — is the most common reason young children in Western Australia experience hearing loss. It is painful, disruptive and, when left untreated, chronic. It is also highly treatable.
Aboriginal children experience an average of 32 months of middle-ear infections between the ages of 0 and 5, compared to around three months for non-Aboriginal children.
Aboriginal people suffer ear disease and hearing loss at up to ten times the rate of non-Aboriginal Australians.
Otitis media usually begins after a cold. Swelling narrows the Eustachian tube — the small passage that drains the middle ear — so fluid can’t escape. Pressure builds behind the eardrum, and earaches and infection follow.
How ear disease takes hold
Middle ear disease follows a familiar path — and it can be interrupted at every stage. Early detection and consistent treatment can break the chain before hearing loss becomes lasting.
- A cold begins and the middle ear becomes inflamed
- Fluid builds behind the eardrum and can’t drain
- Their hearing drops off and the world turns muffled
- Language and learning start to fall behind
- Untreated, the cycle repeats and becomes chronic
32
Months of middle-ear infection on average, ages 0–5. Compared with around three months for non-Aboriginal children.
Source: Ear Foundation Australia, Australian Bureau of Statistics 2008, p 134
Children who can’t hear, can’t learn. The evidence connects untreated ear disease to outcomes far beyond childhood — and shows those outcomes can be changed.
The numbers describe a public health problem of rare scale. The World Health Organisation specifies that otitis media prevalence above 4% in children constitutes a massive public health problem requiring urgent attention.
8.5x
higher rate of ear disease for indigenous children than non-indigenous children.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
4%
The WHO threshold above which otitis media is a massive public health problem.
Source: WHO/CIBA Foundation, 1996
What works
Effective treatment restores hearing — and the earlier ear disease is found, the better. The strongest results come when care is continuous, connected and community-led.
The continuous-care model brings screening, check-ups and treatment to the places children already spend their days — schools, daycares, kindergartens and playgroups. GPs, audiologists and ENT specialists work within the same model, so referral is quick and treatment seamless.
What happens when children can’t hear properly
Hearing loss is the missing piece of the puzzle of Indigenous disadvantage.
Dr Damien Howard
Indigenous hearing loss researcher and consultant
The case for early intervention
Early treatment changes everything
Early detection and support in a child’s first years protect vital speech and language development, ensuring children don’t fall behind in learning, confidence, and overall wellbeing.
Frequently asked questions
Aboriginal children experience middle ear disease at significantly higher rates than non-Aboriginal children. Persistent ear disease can affect hearing, speech and language development, school participation, educational outcomes and long-term wellbeing. Early detection and treatment can prevent many of these impacts.
Ear disease is both common and highly treatable, yet it is often difficult to detect because children may not complain of symptoms. Hearing loss can fluctuate over time, meaning children may appear to hear normally on some days but struggle on others.
Many children do not receive ear checks until symptoms become severe or chronic. Screening delivered through schools, early childhood settings and community services helps identify problems earlier, reduces missed cases and supports timely referral for treatment.
Research consistently shows that early detection, coordinated clinical care and ongoing monitoring improve outcomes for children with ear disease. Bringing services closer to where children live, learn and play reduces barriers to access and improves follow-up rates.
Ear Foundation works alongside Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, GPs, hospitals, audiologists, ENT specialists and community services. The goal is to strengthen local care pathways, improve access to screening and support timely referral and treatment rather than duplicate existing services.
Early identification and treatment can restore hearing, support speech and language development, improve classroom participation and reduce the risk of long-term hearing loss. Earlier intervention also reduces the likelihood of children falling behind during critical developmental years.
Middle ear disease can recur when infections are not detected early, follow-up care is inconsistent, or underlying risk factors persist. Regular monitoring and ongoing access to care are essential to breaking the cycle of chronic disease.
Success is measured through indicators such as increased screening rates, earlier diagnosis, reduced waiting times for treatment, improved hearing outcomes, stronger referral completion rates and better engagement with health and education services.
Yes. Ear Foundation’s mobile outreach model was specifically designed to reach children and families who face barriers to accessing specialist services. The approach can be adapted to local community needs and existing health service arrangements.
Governments, ACCHOs, health services, schools and community organisations all have a role in improving ear health outcomes. Sustainable progress requires coordinated investment, strong referral pathways, community partnerships and a commitment to early intervention.
References
Access Economics (2009). The Cost Burden of Otitis Media in Australia.
Australian Bureau of Statistics (2008). Juvenile detention data, Western Australia.
Senate Community Affairs References Committee (2010). Hear Us: Inquiry into Hearing Health in Australia.
WHO/CIBA Foundation (1996). Prevention of Hearing Impairment from Chronic Otitis Media.