AIHW (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare) (2024) Ear and hearing health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 2024: children aged 0–14, AIHW, Australian Government, accessed 17 June 2026, doi:10.25816/89e2-dd02.
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This in focus report presents information on the ear and hearing health of First Nations children aged 0–14. Middle ear infection is the main condition contributing to hearing loss among First Nations children. Middle ear infections are preventable and treatable. Identifying and managing chronic and recurrent middle ear infections depend on children being checked when needed and referred to accessible services.
Detailed information about the hearing health of First Nations people and children are presented in: Ear and hearing health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 2024.
3 in 10 First Nations children aged 7–14 had some measured hearing loss in 2018–19
4 in 10 First Nations children aged 7–14 living in remote areas had some measured hearing loss in 2018–19
Nearly 9 in 10 ear-related hospitalisations among First Nations children aged 0–14 were middle-ear related
Newborn hearing screening rates of First Nations babies are very high
