ATOMIC Ears Study
The ATOMIC Ears Study aims to evaluate a new treatment designed to prevent ongoing ear infections in kids having grommet surgery. This surgery is a common form of treatment for young children suffering multiple ear infections, but up to a third of kids need repeat sets of grommets because the bacteria hides in “slime” in the middle ear called biofilm.
In a previous study, researchers found that a medicine commonly used in cystic fibrosis treatment, Dornase alfa, has the ability to break down the biofilm in the ears of children with recurrent middle ear infections. In the ATOMIC Ears Study, researchers hope to find out if using Dornase alfa ear drops during and after grommet surgery can help allow antibiotic treatment to be more effective and therefore reduce the requirement for repeat surgeries.
Two-year-old Jonnathan was of the lucky first participants of the ATOMIC Ears Study
The study team are now recruiting children from six months to five years of age who have a history of recurrent middle ear infections or glue ear, and are scheduled to undergo grommet surgery. Participants will be followed up for two years after their surgery, including regular ear checks and hearing tests at certain time points. ATOMIC Ears will involve 120 participants, with recruitment currently underway at Perth Children's Hospital and plans to include Subiaco Private Hospital in early 2021.
If you are interested in hearing more about this study please contact us on ATOMICEars@telethonkids.org.au or 0440 450 240.