Could it be their ears? Otitis media, hearing loss and its language and literacy implications for young children

Most Australian children will experience at least one episode of otitis media (middle ear infection) in their early years of life, with rates being significantly higher in some populations, such as indigenous children living in remote and regional areas, and children living in communities facing disadvantage.

Failure to detect and treat early ear disease leads to chronic otitis media. This often-overlooked condition is associated with long-term disabling hearing loss, which can have a negative impact on communication, learning, behaviour, school attendance, education outcomes, employment and can even be associated with incarceration later in life. This webinar will explain what otitis media is, what to look for and where to go for help and treatment if you suspect it could be a problem for children you work with or care for. We will also examine how hearing loss, even if it’s transient, can affect a child’s language development and later learning and literacy acquisition.

ARACY is pleased to have, Dr Kate Armstrong Medical Advisor from National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NAACHO) and Laura Button Speech Pathologist, Project Lead - Listen to Learn Program, Hearing Australia, representing Speech Pathology Australia, joining us to share their expertise. This webinar has been developed in partnership with Speech Pathology Australia, and is supported by funding from the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care under the Health Peak and Advisory Bodies Program.