Preventing hearing damage in tamariki

Routine screening uncovers a serious issue

During routine hearing screening, the Painga Project team identified a primary school-aged child with signs of bilateral acute otitis media (ear infections in both ears). The team advised the school that the child should see a GP for treatment and scheduled a follow-up in three months.

Ongoing pain and no improvement

At the follow-up, the Painga Project nurse found the child still had bilateral infections, with heavy discharge, perforated eardrums, and ongoing pain. Despite attending school and participating in daily activities, the child had been experiencing significant discomfort. Concerned about the severity of the condition, the Painga Project nurse engaged with the school and whānau, securing consent to take the child to a GP immediately.

Finding urgent care when options are limited

Efforts to obtain a local GP appointment were unsuccessful due to a lack of available appointments and wait times of over six hours, prompting Painga Project to seek urgent care out of zone. The child was seen by a GP, prescribed antibiotics and pain relief, and the whānau received support on managing the condition. Painga Project also facilitated an urgent referral to the Super Clinic for specialist review.

Recognising the urgency of the situation just prior to Christmas, Painga Project reached out to a private ENT specialist, securing a prompt appointment. The team provided transport and support for the consultation, where recommendations were made for follow-up once the perforations had healed. On the recommendation of the ENT specialist, further follow-up was provided by the Hearing House. 

A step towards better hearing health

Access to private early intervention ensured the child received the necessary treatment, preventing further complications and supporting their hearing health.