EarInfoNetwork » Yarning board

General discussion

• Mark Mitchell

  

  Member
   

  30 July 2013

  Despite the evidence that School Screening programs do not lead to meaningful improvements in health and educational outcomes for Aboriginal children, both government and community controlled health services continue to conduct hearing screening programs in schools. Does anyone know of any examples where services have successfully transitioned to the surveillance approach using OM surveillance tools and systems?
  

  Despite the evidence that School Screening programs do not lead to meaningful improvements in health and educational outcomes for Aboriginal children, both government and community controlled health services continue to conduct hearing screening programs in schools. Does anyone know of any examples where services have successfully transitioned to the surveillance approach using OM surveillance tools and systems?
• Judith Boswell

  

  Member
   

  14 December 2012

  Hi Gail and Kristina,
  
  There was a report from WA a few years ago which suggested swimming pools benefitted ears. It had some methodological problems, however. A more recent, larger and much better-controlled study was performed by a team from Flinders Uni. (Sanchez et al) who visited several communities in the APY Lands, SA, over a period of years. They DID NOT find better ear health in children who swam in local swimming pools. The report is on the EarInfoNet website - I suggest you take a look. It was very thoroughly performed and its outcomes, while disappointing, are clear.

  Hi Gail and Kristina, There was a report from WA a few years ago which suggested swimming pools benefitted ears. It had some methodological problems, however. A more recent, larger and much better-controlled study was performed by a team from Flinders Uni. (Sanchez et al) who visited several communities in the APY Lands, SA, over a period of years. They DID NOT find better ear health in children who swam in local swimming pools. The report is on the EarInfoNet website - I suggest you take a look. It was very thoroughly performed and its outcomes, while disappointing, are clear.
• kristina summers

  

  Member
   

  11 December 2012

  HI Gail
  Yes i have read the report and thought this sounds good. they say the ears get "flushed out" even for kids with grommets and this is better than keeping them dry. On the other hand this is probably only true for chlorinated water and not rivers which have a higher bacterial load? Any one came across a research which looks into COM and exposure to river water?
  kristina

  HI Gail Yes i have read the report and thought this sounds good. they say the ears get "flushed out" even for kids with grommets and this is better than keeping them dry. On the other hand this is probably only true for chlorinated water and not rivers which have a higher bacterial load? Any one came across a research which looks into COM and exposure to river water? kristina
• Mark Mitchell

  

  Member
   

  11 December 2012

  I note that some schools run "Breath, Blow, Cough, Wash and Chew progams"
  
  Is there a strong evidence base to support the implementation of these programs?
  

  I note that some schools run "Breath, Blow, Cough, Wash and Chew progams" Is there a strong evidence base to support the implementation of these programs?
• Jody Saxton-Barney

  

  Member
   

  12 June 2012

  Morning All,
  
  It has come to my attention from Deaf Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people's that the Deaf Signing Arts' course in Sydney at Miller's TAFE, no longer has any Deaf Aboriginal project officer/mentor/interpreters. that the program has changed shape from a ARTS/Auslan ( Language) course to an employment entry course, that can be utilised in communities or nearby services with the assistance of Auslan Interpreters?.. I am very concerned over the impact of no Deaf Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander mentors, program coordinator or Indigneous Interpreters in this program for cultural safety, understanding and cultural language expression. I know that the course in previous years has had access to the culture of Deaf ( Auslan) non-Indigneous people, however the members of my community networks are very concerned of this now not being accessible or culturally safe. I myself as a Deaf Aboriginal consultant, counsellor, advocate and workplace assessor, am concerned for the course's future developments and the impact of no culturally safe methods for Deaf Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to participate appropriately or safely. I can not endorse or refer my networks of over 15,000 Deaf and Hard of Hearing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to a course that is not transparent in their process of providing adequate and culturally safe environment for their students..
  
  Kind Regards
  
  Jody Saxton-Barney
  Deaf Indigenous Community Consultancy
  

  Morning All, It has come to my attention from Deaf Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people's that the Deaf Signing Arts' course in Sydney at Miller's TAFE, no longer has any Deaf Aboriginal project officer/mentor/interpreters. that the program has changed shape from a ARTS/Auslan ( Language) course to an employment entry course, that can be utilised in communities or nearby services with the assistance of Auslan Interpreters?.. I am very concerned over the impact of no Deaf Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander mentors, program coordinator or Indigneous Interpreters in this program for cultural safety, understanding and cultural language expression. I know that the course in previous years has had access to the culture of Deaf ( Auslan) non-Indigneous people, however the members of my community networks are very concerned of this now not being accessible or culturally safe. I myself as a Deaf Aboriginal consultant, counsellor, advocate and workplace assessor, am concerned for the course's future developments and the impact of no culturally safe methods for Deaf Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to participate appropriately or safely. I can not endorse or refer my networks of over 15,000 Deaf and Hard of Hearing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to a course that is not transparent in their process of providing adequate and culturally safe environment for their students.. Kind Regards Jody Saxton-Barney Deaf Indigenous Community Consultancy
• Deleted Member

  
   

  14 October 2011

  Original work by Fiona Stanley in a WA community about 2004 showed reduction in skin and ear infections. Try googling it. Similar surveys since have been equivocal - but it's not often that a town gets a new pool. Recent 2010 study by Menzies Research Institute at Nguiu NT showed no effect, but was not a good study because the pool is not new, nor is it widely used, and it is often closed. So no clear guidance on it. But you can always try the argument on in support of a new pool in your community.

  Original work by Fiona Stanley in a WA community about 2004 showed reduction in skin and ear infections. Try googling it. Similar surveys since have been equivocal - but it's not often that a town gets a new pool. Recent 2010 study by Menzies Research Institute at Nguiu NT showed no effect, but was not a good study because the pool is not new, nor is it widely used, and it is often closed. So no clear guidance on it. But you can always try the argument on in support of a new pool in your community.
• Gail Hirning

  

  Member
   

  12 May 2011

  There is new research out there that is suggesting that swimming pools could have a positive impact on indigenous ear health, due to chemicals in the pool.
  Has anybody come across this research and what is your opinion on the research and what it is indicating?

  There is new research out there that is suggesting that swimming pools could have a positive impact on indigenous ear health, due to chemicals in the pool. Has anybody come across this research and what is your opinion on the research and what it is indicating?
• Gail Hirning

  

  Member
   

  12 May 2011

  I am an Advisory Visiting Teacher which will now be servicing Woorabinda in Central QLD. I would like to know if there is anyone out there who knows of any good programs (besides Deadly Ears) that are being utilised in other regions that could be adjusted for Woorabinda. My role is to assist class teachers to better provide education to children with a hearing impairment.

  I am an Advisory Visiting Teacher which will now be servicing Woorabinda in Central QLD. I would like to know if there is anyone out there who knows of any good programs (besides Deadly Ears) that are being utilised in other regions that could be adjusted for Woorabinda. My role is to assist class teachers to better provide education to children with a hearing impairment.
• Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet

  

  Leader
   

  7 October 2010

  Discuss any aspects of Indigenous ear health

  Discuss any aspects of Indigenous ear health