Child Health

Ear Health Screening

NCACCH offers ear health screening for children from birth and up to 12 years of age.

0-4 years

The Hearing Assessment Program for Early Ears (HAPEE) a partnerships program between NCACCH and Hearing Australia and offers free ear health screening for infants and pre-school aged children.

This program runs monthly from Gympie and Sunshine Coast locations.

For more information, or to book your child in for screening, please contact Norma Binge (Indigenous Child Health Worker) at ichw@ncacch.org.au

4-12 years

NCACCH in partnership with Hear & Say offer free ear health screening for children aged 4-12 years in schools across the Sunshine Coast and Gympie regions. With Otitis Media being one of the leading causes of hearing loss amongst our community, it is important to access screening and treatment as soon as symptoms appear. In most cases a dose of antibiotics will treat a case of Otitis Media.  Untreated/ongoing ear health problems can result in possible hearing loss, effect speech, language, behaviour, self-esteem and social emotional wellbeing.

For more information or to find out if your child school is participating in this program, please contact Norma Binge (Indigenous Child Health Worker) at ichw@ncacch.org.au

What is Otitis Media?

• Middle ear disease, also known as Glue Ear or Runny Ear.
• Caused by fluid in the middle ear, which can get infected, resulting in fluctuating hearing loss.
• Pressure develops and swelling occurs around the drum and the three little bones can’t work properly.

Signs to look for;

• Constant runny nose.
• Babies holding on to ears and crying, temperatures, cold and sick
• Discharge from ear Clumsy kids
• Ear infections affect co-ordination and balance
• Easily distracted
• Kids who appear lost when instructions are given
• Poor socialisation
• Frowns or strains forward when spoken to
• Poor school attendance
• Sits on the outside so there are no expectations to participate
• Work fluctuates in quality
• Asks ‘what’ all the time, appears not to listen
• Aggressive/bullying
• Quiet voice/loud voice
• Lip reads
• Responds slowly to instructions, follows other children’s cues
• Does not respond to other people’s speech, especially in noisy situations

For more information please visit the following website –
* Care for Kids’ Ears

For more information please download Child Health Brochure or Contact Us.