Expanding the toolkit for the treatment of ear infections

Expanding the toolkit for the treatment of ear infections

Chief Investigator: Dr Erin Brazel [Early Career Researcher]

Funding Amount : $40,000

Recipient: The University of Adelaide

Overview:

Bacterial ear infections are the most common bacterial disease affecting children. In Australia, episodes range from 1-2.4 million each year, affecting over 600,000 individuals, with 40% of these children experiencing six or more recurrences before the age of eight. Persistent cases can result in hearing loss and learning difficulties, leading to developmental delays and impacts on psychosocial health. Chronic ear infections have also been linked to increased rates of obesity during childhood and later in life, which may be a result of prolonged antibiotic usage. This project aims to develop targeted strategies to improve antibiotic treatment outcomes for ear infections.