TympEase

The Background

Hearing loss among Indigenous children in rural and remote Australia is a widespread issue, largely due to Otitis Media (middle ear disease). Left untreated, this condition impacts speech, language, and cognitive development, limiting social and educational opportunities. While a common condition that is easily treatable, Indigenous children and young people between 2 and 20 still experience OM cumulatively for 2.7 years There are multiple factors that contribute to this, one of which is under-resourced healthcare and the unique challenges of rural areas, such as limited access to resources and specialized services, which delay both diagnosis and treatment. Addressing these barriers is essential to improving outcomes for these communities.

The Problem

Ear screenings whenever possible is encouraged and are essential to address high rates of Otitus Media and initiate early treatment. However, many children still slip through these screenings. Basic screenings rely on otoscopy to visualise the ear, but the complementary tool tympanometry, capable of assessing middle ear function and diagnosing forms of Otitus Media that don’t present visual symptoms like Otitis Media with Effusion (fluid behind the eardrum) remains underused.

Surveys and interviews were conducted to better understand the role of tympanometry and why it was underutilised. Findings underscored tympanometry’s importance, confirming that children are still being missed in screenings and it is necessary to utilise it. Interviewees highlighted several barriers to adoption, including a learning curve to successfully use the technology, as well as challenges in interpreting results, as tympanometry is used by audiologists, a profession not widely available in remote areas. High costs was another major factor as these devices are priced in the thousands. These insights emphasize the need for an affordable, user-friendly tympanometer accessible to all demographics.