Audiometry Nurses from Community Health will be stationed at the library on July 30 to conduct free ear health examinations on young children.

Hearing support teacher for the Department of Education Beverly Walls said Otitis Media was a very common middle ear disease that causes hearing loss in children.

She said those aged between zero to two were more likely to have middle ear fluid however children right up to the age of eight have been diagnosed.

"If children get reoccurring bouts of Otitis Media it can affect their speech and learning development because of the hearing loss involved," she said.

Nurses will be able to identify on July 30 which children have middle ear fluid and may give referrals. Information fliers will be available for parents and carers.

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Beverly said there was no need to book and walk-ins would be welcomed from 10am until 4.30pm. Craft and colouring activities will be set up to entertain children whilst waiting.

"This will be the third year we've had an Otitis Media Awareness Day in Inverell. We screened 48 children the first year and 104 children last year."

The hearing support teacher said between 10 to 20 per cent of children screened usually identify as having middle ear fluid or indicators of possible future ear fluid.

She said the problem with Otitis Media was the invisible disease had hardly any signs or symptoms; so unless checked parents may not know their child is suffering.

"It effects mostly during the language acquisition age. Three in 10 infants to primary school-aged children have Otitis Media.

"Their teach will not know they cannot hear what is being said in the classroom which often leads to them falling behind," she said.

For more information on Otitis Media or the awareness day, contact Beverly on 0427 251 627.