Minced Words: the importance of widespread hearing loss as an issue in the mental health of Indigenous Australians

Many Indigenous people experience mild to moderate hearing loss and auditory processing difficulties from a very young age. They do so because of middle ear disease which is endemic in many Indigenous communities. The resulting communication problems often lead to the development of psycho-social difficulties which continue through adult life. This article seeks to examine this neglected issue that impacts on many Indigenous people around Australia.