Look out for painless ear disease!

Feeling pain can be your body's way of telling you something is wrong. So what if there was something wrong, but there was no pain? How would you know if something was up? 

This can be the case with a middle ear infection or Otitis Media. 

Otitis Media affects many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander babies, infants and young children and sometimes there may be no signs of an infection.

"Not every child has a fever and pain," explains Dr Tony Parker, a Brisbane-based ear, nose and throat specialist.

Untreated Otitis Media can cause hearing loss and affect a child's development.  

Because of this, Dr Parker says it's essential parents and carers of young children and babies learn other signs in the absence of ear pain or fever. 

"Kids may be simply not hearing you," he says.

"If you have to raise your voice at home it’s more than likely that your child will have trouble hearing at school in the class room."

A child with hearing loss may fall behind in their studies or appear disruptive when asking their peers about what a teacher may have said in the classroom or lack concentration.  

If you notice any of these signs or others described here get some medical advice from the school nurse, ear health worker or doctor.

We want your feedback!  We're interested in finding out who is listening, reading and using the resources we're producing for the Listen `Ear project.  

Have a go at our survey for a chance to win a $50 voucher!  The first twenty to respond will also receive an ear health bag containing information about Otitis Media and special story book (pictured).

Listen to one of our Listen `Ear  messages first,  and then fill out the survey.

Listen `Ear is funded under the National Indigenous Ear Health campaign, an Australian Government initiative.