The Otitis Media Guidelines is an information and multimedia tool to assist primary health care providers across Australia in the delivery of comprehensive, effective and appropriate care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children with otitis media and hearing problems.

The guidelines have been developed by the Centre of Research Excellence in Ear and Hearing Health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children (I-CHEAR).

I-CHEAR director and Menzies School of Health Research senior principal research fellow, Professor Amanda Leach AM, says that the updated, evidence-based guidelines are needed to improve delivery and access to quality ear health care across Australia.

“Children, in particular Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, are disproportionately affected by ear infections. All forms of otitis media cause conductive hearing loss, some forms cause disabling hearing loss. If persistent or chronic this increases language delay, speech problems and can lead to high vulnerability on entering school, social isolation, poor school attendance and low education and employment opportunities,” Prof Leach said.

“The new guidelines provide clear information about prevention, diagnosis, prognosis and management of otitis media for health practitioners working in both urban and remote settings with low- or high-risk children. Families can also benefit from the culturally appropriate resources within the app, such as cartoons, and the Communicate and Education sections which have been translated and audio-recorded into five Aboriginal languages and can be downloaded at the clinic for later use.”

Associate Professor Kelvin Kong, chief investigator of I-CHEAR, says that the number of people living with unaddressed hearing loss and ear diseases is unacceptable.

“These guidelines enable health care professionals and workers in the community to diagnose, treat and educate ear infections in one place. The addition of the app allows a much greater interactive process that we are keen for people to use and assist the community,” A/Prof Kong said.

The Otitis Media Guidelines app (OMApp) includes:

  • Evidence-based guidelines prepared using the international GRADE approach
  • Algorithms (10) to assist with clinical decision making
  • Audio recordings in five Aboriginal languages to assist with communication 
  • Multimedia educational materials for health workers, families and children

The OMApp is freely available for download via the Apple Store or Google Play or access a copy of the guidelines here.