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Indigenous Deafness and Mental Health

  

Did you know?

• Over 3 million adults and children in Australia suffer from hearing disabilities ¹
• One in five Australian people report they cannot hear properly ²
• It has been estimated that 30% to 80% of Indigenous children of school age suffer from some hearing loss, and by adulthood hearing loss can be present in up to 70% of Aboriginal people ³
• Prevalence rates of otitis media among Aboriginal children in Australia are well recognised as among the highest in the world ⁴

Many Indigenous people in Australia suffer from ear infections that affect the middle ear (Otitis Media). Otitis media is more commonly associated with mild to moderate hearing loss among Indigenous people, and can be difficult to diagnose.  If not successfully treated or diagnosed early, otitis media can permanently and severely affect hearing for life. ³

Many Indigenous people are unaware that they have a hearing loss and can be reluctant to admit to having a problem with hearing. ⁶   The long term effects of hearing loss can be associated with a number of problems that may impact on the social and emotional well-being of the Indigenous person. ³

The Statewide Consultation Service, Deafness & Mental Health, offers a program that aims to promote better mental health outcomes for Indigenous people with a hearing loss. The service provides:

• Workshops to improve Indigenous Deaf cultural awareness
• Offers educational resources specific to mental health
  

Contact Us

For further information about Indigenous Deafness and Mental Health or if you would like to arrange an Indigenous Deaf Cultural Workshop in your area, please contact us:

	Jennifer D'Ath (Project Officer) Brisbane  Phone: 3167 8421 Mobile: 0417 620 337 Jennifer_D'Ath@health.qld.gov.au

References

1. Access Economics PTY Ltd. (2006), Listen Hear: The economic impact and cost of hearing loss in Australia. Victoria.  Available online, retrieved 21 April, 2010: http://www.accesseconomics.com.au/publicationsreports/getreport.php?report=71&id=81
2. Australian Hearing. (2003) Causes of hearing loss.  Available online, retrieved 21 April, 2010: http://www.hearingawarenessweek.org.au/wordfiles/Causes%20of%20Hearing%20Loss.pdf
3. Burrow, S., Galloway, A. & Weissofner, N. (2009). Review of educational and other approaches to hearing loss among Indigenous people. Indigenous Health Bulletin, 9(2): 1-37.
4. Lannigan, F J., O'Connor, T E. & Perry, C F.  (2009). Complications of otitis media in Indigenous and non-Indigenous children. Medical Journal of Australia, 191 (9): 61.
5. Rope, B. (2005). Communication access for people with hearing/Deafness disability.  Conference proceedings:  Disability and the Criminal Justice Conference Melbourne.
6. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2004).  Australia's health 2004.  Canberra, AIHW.
   
   

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