Hearing Australia has launched an ambitious plan to halve the current rate of hearing loss experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children by the end of the decade.

In response to alarming figures suggesting some 30 per cent of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander school-aged children experienced hearing loss in one or both ears, Hearing Australia has released their Action Plan for Improving Ear Health and Hearing Outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children.

The Plan will prioritise preventative activities where Hearing Australia will further commit to collaboration and action over the next three years, in particular to address the frequency and severity of chronic otitis media (inflammation and infection of the middle ear) experienced by Indigenous children.

The disease, which makes it difficult to hear, learn and yarn is experienced by one in three Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, resulting in up to 32 months of conductive hearing loss compared to just three months among non-Indigenous children – during a vital developmental time of life.

Hearing Australia Managing Director Kim Terrell said it was imperative the Plan is adopted to reduce the rate of hearing loss experienced by Indigenous children.

"Implementing this Action Plan is crucial to help reduce the rate of hearing loss in First Nations children," he said.

"It was co-designed with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health care experts and sets out the actions that Hearing Australia will take, in collaboration with its partners, to improve the ear health of First Nations children."

Hearing Australia's Action Plan will build on current collaborations with organisations, government and communities to improve the systems, services and policies that contribute to better ear health and hearing outcomes.

"This will be achieved by supporting national leadership, accelerating access to care, and building workforce capabilities in primary health care services across Australia," Mr Terrell said.

"We stand together with our partners in a steadfast commitment to dramatically improve the hearing health of First Nations children."

The Action Plan will build on the 2021 establishment of Hearing Australia's First Nations Services Unit, which saw positive results in improving ear health and hearing outcome results for Indigenous children.

Hearing Australia's Acting National Manager Stakeholder Relations Sherilee McManus said the specialist unit is making a significant difference to the ear health outcomes of Indigenous peoples.

"Many of the children and adults we see have very complex needs, which means they require specialised services," she said.

"Because of the relationships we've forged with a range of partners, including peak bodies, health and education services and ear health stakeholders, we're able to provide these specific services, to pick up hearing problems sooner and to fast-track treatment and rehabilitation."

Hearing loss in a child's early developmental years can delay speech and language development, contributing to greater inequality in education, employment, and overall health outcomes.

Hearing Australia First Nations Services Clinical Leader, Clare Manhood said early identification of ear health conditions, such as inflammation and infection of the middle ear is important to ensure their wellbeing and development of First Nations children.

"Early identification of otitis media and referral to specialist treatment and support services is crucial for preventing long term speech, language, social and emotional impacts of hearing loss," she said.

In the 2021-22 financial year, Hearing Australia supported the hearing needs of more than 23 000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, with around half being children assessed under the government-funded Early Years Hearing Assessment Program, with one of four requiring referral to specialist services.

The organisation has been working to improve hearing and ear health in Australia for 75 years.