Hearing loss among Indigenous Australians may hamper the effects of government programs like Closing the Gap—a set of targets developed by the Australian government to reduce health inequalities between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and non-Indigenous Australians—according to a recent article in The Mandarin.
The communication difficulties caused by hearing loss may lead to anxiety, depression, and avoidance of health, employment, or support services, the article’s authors argue, and may stem from middle ear disease in childhood.
An article in Hearing Review detailed the Australian Awabakal Newcastle Aboriginal Cooperative’s efforts to educate the Indigenous community about ear health with an rapping, animated character named “Lil’ Mike.”
Source: The Mandarin
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