Ear & Hearing Health
Listening to our future: Working with community to champion ear and hearing health
What we do
NACCHO works closely with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) to deliver a range of ear and hearing health programs. We aim to raise awareness about ear diseases, highlight the importance of early treatment, and ensure access to culturally safe, high-quality healthcare for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Critically, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children experience some of the highest rates of ear disease in the world. Early detection is vital to preventing long-term effects on a child’s development, quality of life, and educational success. Our programs work towards preventing ear diseases and supporting the overall health and well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Our initiatives
Recurrent or persistent ear disease among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children is alarming. Early detection and treatment are essential to minimising long-term negative impacts on developmental outcomes, quality of life, family wellbeing, school readiness, and the passing down of cultural knowledge.
NACCHO’s ear and hearing health programs are co-designed with members, affiliates, and key stakeholders to deliver culturally safe, high-quality services that improve ear and hearing health outcomes.
Our focus is on enhancing the quality of care, as well as the monitoring and treatment of ear and hearing health.
Ear health coordination program
The Ear Health Coordination (EHC) program focuses on improving the monitoring and treatment of ear and hearing health in primary care settings. It ensures that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and youth receive quality, culturally informed care. Ear Health Coordinators (EHCs) work with primary healthcare clinics and other stakeholders to identify and support activities needed to address ear health needs. The program supports EHCs across Australia.
Ear and hearing health national strategy
NACCHO is working with committees and stakeholders to develop a National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ear and Hearing Health Strategy. This strategy will focus on improving ear health and life outcomes for people with hearing difficulties.
Care for Kids’ Ears campaign
This campaign raises awareness about ear diseases, like otitis media, and emphasises the importance of seeking out early treatment, and following treatment recommendations to prevent hearing loss. Resources are distributed nationally, and a dedicated website provides information about otitis media and access to materials.
Resources about ear health are for parents, carers, teachers, teachers’ aides, early childhood workers and health professionals. They aim to support efforts to reduce rates of otitis media among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
To access the resources, please go to our online store: https://store.naccho.org.au/collections/care-for-kids-ears-resources
Our approach
Our strategy to improve ear and hearing health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities is built on the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and the four priority reforms. These reforms aim to reduce health disparities and achieve outcomes comparable to those of all Australians.
Working closely with ACCHOs across the country, NACCHO leads initiatives to raise awareness about ear diseases, particularly otitis media. We emphasise the importance of following treatment plans and ensure access to high-quality, culturally safe services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and youth.
Our impact
Improving ear health is essential to achieving the broader goals of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan, which aim to reduce health disparities and promote wellbeing through meaningful collaboration and support.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children experience some of the highest rates of ear disease in the world. Early detection is crucial to preventing long-term impacts on their development, education, and quality of life. NACCHO is committed to addressing the higher rates of ear disease and hearing loss in these communities, which affect physical health, emotional wellbeing, and opportunities in education and employment.
By focusing on early intervention, screening, and culturally safe healthcare, we aim to improve ear and hearing health. Our collaborative approach respects cultural practices, reduces risk factors, and strengthens protective factors, helping to close the health gap and improve overall well-being. Public awareness campaigns and culturally safe care delivery are key to our efforts.
Resources
NACCHO’s ear and hearing health program resource library offers publications and tools to support communities and health professionals
Care for Kids’ Ears
Aboriginal Ear Health – Dragonfly Story
Care for Kids’ Ears resource ordering and information website:
https://store.naccho.org.au/pages/care-for-kids-ears
Committees
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ear and Hearing Health Partnership Committee
Provides a culturally safe, partnership structure to identify and drive reforms to significantly improve the ear and hearing health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people over the next three years; and to inform advice to Ministers, Government and relevant forums.
Hearing Sector Alliance Steering Committee
Achieves the vision of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan 2021–2031 for ear and hearing.
ACCHO locations
NACCHO oversees a network of 146 members, each running Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) across urban, regional, and remote Australia. These ACCHOs range from large facilities with multiple healthcare professionals providing comprehensive services to smaller centres focused on preventive care and health education, primarily delivered by Aboriginal Health Workers and nurses.
NACCHO’s Aged Care programs are delivered in selected locations across its network, ensuring culturally appropriate care reaches Elders and older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in diverse urban, regional, and remote communities.
Contact
For any inquiries or assistance, please contact the NACCHO Ear and Hearing Health team at hearinghealth@naccho.org.au.
