Conclusion
AOM, hearing problems
OTITIS MEDIA, UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTION, HEARING PROBLEM, COMPLICATIONS
Our research provides new information on AOM symptoms in urban Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. Minimally symptomatic AOM appears to be common in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children living in urban communities. Given their high burden of ear and hearing problems, routine and opportunistic ear screening may be necessary to adequately detect AOM.Our examination of the function and usefulness of the AOM-FS and AOM-SOS scales as research tools in the WATCH trial leads us to question the value of these scales in our study population. Despite functioning similarly, the AOM-SOS and AOM-FS symptom scales did not discriminate between children with resolved and persistent AOM and it appears likely the scales were largely measuring symptoms related to concurrent upper respiratory tract infection. The value of the scales as research or clinical tools among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, a population at high risk of otitis media and its complications, appears limited.