Aural Health Project

Poor aural health can limit a child's language skills and restrict their participation in school and social life.

In partnership with Sunrise Health Service, the Aural Health Project was established to address the alarmingly high rates of Chronic Suppuritive Otitis Media (middle ear infection) which affects up to 40% of young children in some communities in the East Katherine region.

Targeting Aboriginal children under 8 years old, the project aims to reduce infection rates and eardrum perforations and as a result, increase the number of children entering school with healthy ears.

Over the past three years, the project has found that early detection and management of children with hearing problems has profound positives for the individual's lifestyle, particularly their learning and development.

In order to increase the capacity of regional primary health care staff so they are able to diagnose and treat middle ear infection and hearing loss, aural health workers have been employed and provided with diagnostic tools for testing ear disease and hearing loss. Otolaryngologists have also been engaged to allow timely and regular access to surgical intervention where required.

The Aural Health Project is supported by an expanded nutrition program in the region. The project also involves close collaboration with the Indigenous Housing Association of NT (IHANT), community housing organisations and environmental health officers to increase availability and functionality of washing facilities.

Another key component of the project is community awareness of aural health, with participation in community aural health programs by the community.