Otitis Media, also known as glue ear, is an acute or chronic middle ear infection that, if left untreated, can result in permanent hearing loss. Children from six to eighteen months may experience OM, with the infection common up until the age of four.
Katungul Aboriginal Corporation Regional Health and Community Services, in association with the Southern NSW Local Health District (SNSWLHD), has developed a program to combat otitis media through prevention, early detection and treatment. Screening for OM is held in schools.
The program also provides education for families and teachers.
This program has led to the establishment of the Ears, Nose and Throat (ENT) outreach clinic at Goulburn, Batemans Bay, Bega and Moruya, which is regularly attended by an ENT specialist from Westmead Children’s Hospital. Children with chronic OM are immediately transferred to the ENT clinic for further treatment.
The Katungul Eye Health program involves vision testing and diabetes checks performed by a Sydney-based eye specialist.
Tests are conducted every two months at the Bega, Narooma and Batemans Bay clinics. Outreach programs are also available at Moruya, Eden and the Wallaga Community Outreach Centre.
Eye checks, frames and basic lenses are all bulk-billed and are accessible to Indigenous people free of charge.
Tests and frames are free.
For further treatment, patients are referred to a specialist .