App to help parents test children for glue ear

A simple app to help parents detect temporary hearing difficulties in childhood has been developed by audiology experts.

The Early Ears application, is a digital version of a test used by paediatric health clinics.

Dr Robert Morse from Aston University’s Audiology team, who helped develop the app, said: “Early Ears quickly enables you to test your child’s hearing in your own home. The app offers reassurance and guidance for concerned parents and children find the app fun and playful. I recently watched a parent use it with their daughter who is just under two year’s old and the daughter thought it was just a game.

“While this app is a good way to help you detect any hearing problems, if you do notice your child has had several episodes of glue ear, or you are at all concerned about potential hearing loss, then you should discuss it with a medical advisor, for example your school nurse, audiologist, or doctor.”

The app will help parents tackle Glue Ear, one of the leading causes of temporary deafness in young children.

The condition affects one in five children, by the age of two and 80 per cent by the age of ten.

A build up of fluid in the ear becomes thick and glue like, leading to a temporary hearing impairment.

The app is free to download until 10 April 2014, then 69p from iTunes.