LittleEARS study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Web-based support intervention to enhance management of children with glue ear in the community: a feasibility study.
IRAS ID
190192
Contact name
Jane Vennik
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Otitis media with effusion (OME) is an important but under-recognised condition in young children. It is caused by the build-up of fluid in the middle ear which can lead to intermittent hearing loss potentially impacting on language, educational and behavioural development. Recent research found nasal balloon autoinflation to be an effective treatment for OME applicable to primary care where most children with OME are managed. However, wider implementation of autoinflation as a treatment for OME relies on identifying and addressing the practical, organisational and behavioural challenges of such an intervention. A web-based support intervention (LittleEARS website) is under development, offering information and support about glue ear and training for the use of the nasal balloon to support the wider implementation of a pragmatic but more structured monitoring period and supporting the use of nasal balloon autoinflation in primary care. The LittleEARS website will include patient information about glue ear, treatment and management options, instruction videos, podcasts and an online hearing disability test for parents to monitor their child’s progress. Initial drafting and development of the website was based on qualitative data from GPs, nurses and parents together with existing evidence of information about OME and healthcare resources. The website was then further evaluated and refined using an expert user panel of families and community health care professionals. This study aims to assess acceptability and feasibility of the LittleEARS website to support a more structured active monitoring period and promote the uptake of nasal balloon autoinflation in primary care. A total of 80 parents/carers of children aged 4-7 years with symptomatic OME will be invited to access the LittleEARs website. Parents/carers will be recruited from general practice and community audiology services. The study team will assess acceptability and demand for the intervention by assessing recruitment rates, extent of interaction with the website and parent/carer-reported outcomes (utilising self-administered questionnaires and qualitative interviews). Effects on the implementation of structured monitoring and use of the nasal balloon will be assessed by parent-reported rates of uptake and usage, visits to the GP, use of the hearing disability test. The key outputs from this project will be a web-based support intervention that is acceptable and useful for families of children with OME in the community, providing a basis for a future large-scale implementation study.
REC name
South Central - Hampshire B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/SC/0592
Date of REC Opinion
30 Nov 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion