When the Hear Our Heart Ear Bus paid a visit to Dubbo West Public school earlier this year, they detected a staggering rate of students who had hearing problems.
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Close to 60 per cent of the students tested had hearing issues, which were potentially affecting their learning potential and also could have led to longer term hearing problems.
Since then students have been treated and one has even had started using hearing aids.
The success of the visit from the Ear Bus had principal Eileen Day determined to give something back. The school started fundraising through a series of events including a Halloween party and generated almost $1000 for the cause.
"We wanted to do something for them because they have done so much for us. The Ear Bus is a wonderful concept and it helps not only with the diagnosis but also the follow-up," Ms Day said.
"Detecting problems can reduce the risk of Otitis Media [a prominent hearing condition in children] and make a huge difference to the language development of students."
A West Dubbo Public School mother, Tracey Walford had joined the committee after she saw the value of the program.
Her son was diagnosed with a hearing problem which had been interfering with his learning and she is now a firm believer.
Hear Our Heart project co-ordinator Rachel Mills said Dubbo West's fundraising could go towards an otoscope.
Ms Mills said without the support of the Department of Education and schools, the bus would not have gotten off the ground.
