Ear and hearing health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 2025

Timely detection and accurate diagnosis of ear disease and hearing loss are essential for early intervention and prompt access to appropriate treatment and rehabilitation services. Early diagnosis of ear disease and timely and appropriate treatment can prevent associated hearing loss in many cases.

This chapter covers the following information:

• newborn hearing screening, follow-up and diagnosis of ear or hearing conditions (data tables 2.1.1a–2.1.1b and 2.1.2)
• health checks for First Nations people in primary care settings (data tables 2.2a)
• Medicare-subsidised audiology services (data tables 2.3a–2.3e)
• ear health checks and hearing tests for First Nations children aged 0–5 (Hearing Assessment Program – Early Ears) (data tables 2.4.1a–b and 2.4.2a–c).

Data tables in Excel spreadsheet format can be accessed at the Data tab.