The children were given a ear health check, followed by a full hearing test if needed.

The Hear Our Heart Ear Bus Project began in 2012 as a pilot program through the Dubbo and District Parent Support Group for the Deaf and Hearing Impaired.

Since then, hearing support teacher Kathy Green said the ears of more than 7,500 children had been tested. Of those, Ms Green said  40 per cent had needed further follow-up, more than 150 needed surgery for otitis media problems and 15 were fitted with hearing aids for permanent loss.

During testing on Monday, Ms Green said one child was found to have a bulging ear drum, indicating an ear infection. As it was an ongoing issue, he was referred to a specialist and has been booked in for grommets.

There were limited ear, nose and throat specialists in Dubbo, Ms Green said, especially who treated children, ensuring Hear Our Heart’s two directors and ten volunteers were kept busy.

Ms Green said as well as improving awareness and understanding of otitis media in children, Hear Our Heart wanted to better the identification and treatment.

The team will travel to Wellington for more testing later in the week.