THE Humpty Dumpty Foundation and Coates have donated an Otowave valued at $3,660 to Coffs Harbour Health Campus.

The Otowave is a handheld tympanometer that provides accurate measurements of the middle ear.

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Middle ear disease can cause a range of effects in young children, including impairing speech, language, and cognitive development.

Julie Plant, an Audiometry Nurse at Coffs Harbour Health Campus, told News Of The Area, “This equipment will deliver significant improvements to the way we detect potential hearing problems in youngsters.

“The Otowave is handheld, making it easier for testing in the community, such as at outreach clinics, schools and pre-schools.

“Up to one in three children will have a middle ear infection before the age of three.

“It is the cause for the majority of presentations to the GP, and if untreated, can lead to speech and language delays, pain and fever, a conductive hearing loss, perforations of the tympanic membrane and learning, attention and behavioural concerns.

“The Otowave allows for the detection of middle ear fluid, resulting in appropriate treatment and monitoring.”

Aboriginal children have one of the highest rates of middle ear disease and hearing loss in the world, so this portable device will make a really important difference within this community.

“The Coffs Harbour Hospital does amazing work for this community, and we know this machine will make a huge difference in the lives of the children they care for,” said David Bradley, Regional Manager – North Coast, Newcastle/Central Coast, Coates.

“Our partnership with the Humpty Dumpty Foundation is something we are incredibly proud of, and as the leading equipment hire and solutions provider across the nation, we look forward to continuing to work with them in providing children with life-changing medical equipment across the country.”

“It is only with the support of generous donors like Coates that the Humpty Dumpty Foundation can make a real difference,” said Humpty Dumpty Foundation Founder and Chairman, Paul Francis OAM.

“Now more than ever it’s important to us that we continue to support hospitals and health services right across the country.”

Mr Francis began fundraising in 1990 and in 1996, the Humpty Dumpty Foundation was officially born.

The Humpty Dumpty Foundation provides life-saving medical equipment specifically requested by around 500 hospitals and health services across Australia.

Each piece of medical equipment requested is stringently assessed by the Foundation’s Medical Committee.

To date, the Foundation has raised $90million and in 2021 donated 700 pieces of medical equipment to Paediatric Wards, Neonatal Units, Maternity and Emergency Departments in Australian hospitals and health services.

The charity relies heavily on the generosity of corporate and community donors who participate in the annual fundraising initiatives, the Humpty Dumpty Balmoral Burn and the Great Humpty Ball.

Locals, community, and business organisations interested in supporting the Humpty Dumpty Foundation and their local hospital, either by donating a piece of medical equipment or by making a donation, can visit www.humpty.com.au or contact the Humpty Dumpty Foundation on 02 9419 2410.

Connect with the Foundation on Facebook at www.facebook.com/humptydumptyfoundation.

By Andrea FERRARI