Abstract
Objective: A recent awareness campaign by Deafness Research UK involving distributing 120,000 leaflets to 6,000 general practitioners’ offices resulted in 42% of responders to the subsequent survey seeking further consultation. There is no equivalent data available for consumer awareness. We present a survey of awareness of this condition among children-store consumers.
Method: Survey of parent shoppers at Mothercare, Adams, and the children’s clothing section at Debenhams in Manchester, UK.
Results: A total of 68 consumers took part. A total of 66% (45/68) were aware of glue ear. A total of 43% (29/68) were aware of grommets as a treatment for OME, but only 6% (4/68) were aware of conservative measures. A total of 97% (66/68) felt more information would be useful. A total of 44% (21/68) indicated that they would seek further consultation.
Conclusion: A total of 66% of children-store consumers were aware of OME, but only 43% were aware of treatment options, and most thought surgery was the only option. Despite previous campaigns to increase awareness of OME, there is still need for wider awareness for this common treatable condition among the public at large.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.