As a member of society, what mindset can we change to enable “hearing care a reality for all”, who could benefit from and receive support from these change in Aotearoa New Zealand? This year, many organisations across Aotearoa are raising awareness of WHD for everyone to think about their way of changing mindsets.
Hearing New Zealand is working hard to raise awareness and advocate for more resource or hearing care. Upcoming events include awareness event on 3rd of March, Hearing awareness week educational seminars in Nelson on 8th of March 2024 (admin@heainghelson.co.nz), and advocacy campaign as part of accessibility bill.
New Zealand Audiological Society are changing the mindset in public and those affected by hearing difficulties by supporting Naketa Phillips (Hard of Hearing, Rongowhakaata/ whakatōhea) to produce some short videos sharing her experiences. Stay tuned!
Hearing House is an Auckland-based charity that delivers a range of services and programmes to kiritaki (clients) from Cape Reinga to Taupō, helping people who use cochlear implants to hear. They are planning a range of activities, including family and group activities, social media posts, and stories about kiritaki (clients).
Pindrop Foundation will be driving the cochlear implants advocacy discussion and awareness conversations recycling around changing mindsets! Checkout their website for amazing discussion and events coming up.
National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing will have many events and resources for the public. Follow them though their website and social media posts!
The Audiology programme at The University of Canterbury will be raising awareness and showcasing the latest in hearing care provided by audiologists. Stay tuned!
Eisdell Moore Centre, in collaboration with Audiology and Vestibular Translational Neuroscience Cluster (@AVTNC1) and the University of Auckland Master of Audiology Student Association (@masa_uoa), we have poster presentation and competitions about hearing healthcare to change the mind-set in the student and future health care professionals! Where & When: at the University of Auckland, Grafton Campus (85 Park road, Auckland) on Monday 4th of March 10am – 1pm.
Eisdell Moore Centre will also be trying to change the mindset of youth by running “Be Innovative in Hearing Care Challenge” competition for students to Where & when: online from 3rd of March – 31st of March!
Practitioners from around the world, working with D/deaf and hard of hearing communities joined members of the Eisdell Moore Centre for the first International Indigenous Hearing Health Symposium on 29 and 30 July.
Speakers from Aotearoa, Australia, the broader Western Pacific Region, and from North America, Asia and Africa generously shared their mātauranga and their experiences of being and/or working with Indigenous and D/deaf and hard of hearing communities.
Our keynote speaker, Prof. Kelvin Kong of the Worimi People and the first Aboriginal Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) Australia spoke of his ongoing experiences of racism and ‘microaggressions’ and of the institutional racism he sees within the system that his Indigenous patients must continue to work against. He also identified opportunities to overcome institutional racism by acknowledging and scoring the broader skillsets and lived-experience of individuals when recruiting for training programs. Our second keynote speaker, Dr Kirsten Smiler (Te Whānau-a-Kai, Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki, Rongowhakaata, Te Whakatōhea), a Māori Academic & Research Fellow at Victoria University Wellington spoke of the Pā Harakeke model that puts Whakapapa at the centre of the care of how indigenous knowledge must be incorporated into existing frameworks for early intervention and for ear and hearing care.
Panel discussions with Indigenous community leaders and allies spoke of their personal experiences of racism within the system that excludes indigenous people from accessing appropriate and timely care and of the ongoing impacts of colonisation and trauma that leads indigenous people to distrust the broader system.
D/deaf Indigenous people spoke of the clinical nature of the system, that does not take into account the whole person or show empathy for those that are diagnosed as D/deaf and where individuals feel like they are “on a conveyor belt”. The also spoke of the “double jeopardy” of being disabled and indigenous, of how they have to “pay to be hearing” and of how they have to fight the system for appropriate care.
Prof. Suzanne Purdy, Co-Deputy Director of the EMC, summed up the 2 day event as being an “intense and emotional couple of days”. But Valerie Swift, a Menang Gnudju woman who works with the Telethon Kids Ear Health Team in Western Australia said we need to celebrate the bright spots and the wins and there were a number of these through the 2 days. We saw that many researchers and clinicians have found a ways to work outside their comfort zones and “sit, listen and learn”; we heard from indigenous clinicians and researchers whose knowledge will support re-indigenisation of ear and hearing care; we learned about wonderful innovations being developed that bring together indigenous knowledge and technology to support healthy hearing in communities and we saw there are many allies and champions in the sector.
The Centre feels privileged to have provided this opportunity for our Indigenous and D/deaf and hard of hearing communities to share their voice and their mātauranga and we acknowledge Alehandrea Manuel, our Māori Research Coordinator for bringing this virtual event together. Alehandrea started her role at the Centre in 2019 with a vision to hold an International Indigenous Hearing Health Symposium and she has almost single-handedly brought this vision to fruition of the last few months. EMC’s Director, Prof. Peter Thorne feels “immensely proud that we have been able to help Aleh to realise her vision and bring the mātauranga, whakaaro and important kaupapa around Indigenous Hearing Health to the global community”.
Over 250 people registered for the symposium from around the world and presentations and panel discussions will all be available online, providing a rich repository of information for people to access. This information will be available here: www.indigenoushearinghealth.com. If you would like to access the content – please email us: emcentre@auckland.ac.nz for access and password details.
Special thanks to Ngā Pa o te Māramatanga for “powering” the symposium and to the University of Auckland for their ongoing support of the Eisdell Moore Centre.
It is well established that adequate access to sound is essential for language, emotional and cognitive development. Tamariki with hearing deficits experience lifelong challenges with communication that severely impact the quality of their life and their families.
Data provided by the The Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Programme (UNHSEIP) and the B4 School check (B4SC), both highlight unequal distribution of hearing loss by financial and ethnic demographic data points. The Pacific Islands Families Study indicates high prevalence of otitis media and hearing loss in Pasifika children. And reporting from the Deafness Notification Database shows that Māori tamariki are more likely than non-Māori tamariki to have hearing loss, this hearing loss is more likely to be bilateral and mild to moderate in severity.
Institutional bias that exists in the current model of health care results in significant barriers to Māori and Pasifika accessing health care and equitable outcomes. In other areas of health disparate outcomes extend beyond that that can be explained by social and economic factors indicating that there are factors that specifically disadvantage Māori and Pasifika people.
To start addressing the inequitable ear and hearing health of Maori and Pacific tamariki, the Eisdell Moore Centre funded a research project led by Dr Rebecca Garland (ORL, Pōneke) with clinicians Dr Rachelle Love (Ngā Puhi & Te Arawa, ORL, Ōtautahi), Dr Alice Springer (ORL, Pōneke), Kylie Bolland (Audiologist, Hutt Valley DHB) and Alehandrea Manuel (Ngāti Porou, Audiologist, EMC Māori Research Coordinator).
This project sought to consult widely with researchers, clinicians, educators and community representatives through an online survey and a series of hui that would discuss the issues for tamariki under five who miss out on successful hearing outcomes through poor access to hearing care services and structural and institutional inequities.
EMC staff, Dr Elizabeth Holt and Dr Meagan Barclay have supported the delivery of this project, where a series of virtual hui were held in the second half of 2021. The team was fortunate to connect with Change and Innovation Agent, Rebecca Davis, early in the project to facilitate the hui. Rebecca has extensive experience leading this kind of kōrero with iwi, DHB’s and health leaders. Discussions at the hui focussed on: “What is holding the problem in place”; “Reimagining a future reality” and “Activating your sphere of influence” and used the “The six conditions of systems change” as a framework for the discussion.
Highlights of the Kōrero.
There is a very clear need and “want” for change. There was a high level of interest and engagement in this mahi by professionals working across the sector; currently 137 professionals have engaged at some part of the process and there is a group of 40 – 50 professionals that are committed to being part of the solution and developing accessible and equitable ear and hearing care for tamariki.
Addressing institutional bias and racism requires the removal of deficit framing and victim blaming from discussions and turning the focus to the systems that keep inequities in place. It also requires individuals to self-reflect on their own biases, assumptions, and privileges and to challenge these. This is critical to ensure that services are culturally safe. The kōrero at the hui revealed that participants were at different points on their journey to being culturally safe, but through the course of the hui the narrative changed to focus on the systems that are keeping inequities in place. It also provided an opportunity for self-reflection and for further development of cultural safety within one’s own sphere. There was broad agreement in the group that there needs to be more cultural safety training in workplaces and in tertiary courses.
Accessibility of services was a major point of discussion, alongside accessibility/’readability’ of information provided to patients and whānau. It was recognised that the system is complicated and is set up for those that have the resource to navigate the system and there is a compounding nature of various issues that influence families’ ability to access and engage with health services. Whakawhanaungatanga and a representative workforce were identified as means to build trust with patients and to get “buy-in” with regards to interventions and treatments.
The siloed model of care was identified as a barrier to both families and clinicians and softening the boundaries between disciplines and collaborative, interdisciplinary approaches must be developed to support more holistic care of those with hearing loss.
We have recently completed a draft report of the discussions from the hui. This is available to download here
Next steps
Key themes that come out of the analysis will form the basis for establishing working groups in early 2022 that will further unpack the issues and potential solutions, identify research that is needed to support the work, and identify potential community projects that pilot solutions. There are opportunities for this research to flow through to policy and inform service delivery models for Health NZ and the Māori Health Authority.
While this series of hui brought together a range of professionals working in ear and hearing care, including researchers, clinicians and educators, whānau voice and lived experience of hearing loss and ear and hearing care services by Māori whānau and Pacific Island families must be collected to lay the foundation for this kaupapa. Several research projects that adopt Kaupapa Māori and Pacific research theory are underway in the EMC that can start to do this.
If you are interested in joining this Community of Practice to develop equitable ear and hearing care for all communities in Aotearoa, send the Eisdell Moore Centre an email (emcentre@auckland.ac.nz) and we will add you to the mailing list that provides updates and opportunities to get involved.
“The best time to embark on a worthwhile kaupapa is 20 years ago… the second best time is today.”
According to the United Nations, there are over 476 million Indigenous people living in 90 countries across the world. Indigenous people hold a diversity of unique cultures, traditions, languages, knowledge systems and have special relationships with their lands. Although numerous Indigenous peoples have been successful in establishing autonomy in varying forms, many still continue to experience existing inequalities and suffer from poverty, discrimination and low access to educational services (United Nations, 2021). To raise awareness, The United Nation’s International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is celebrated every year on the 9th of August.
The theme for the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples 2021 is “Leaving no one behind: Indigenous peoples and the call for a new social contract.” To celebrate this day the International Association of Communication Sciences and Disorders is hosting a series of webinars during the month of September 2021, highlighting hearing-related research and clinical services by the Indigenous peoples and for the Indigenous peoples from across the world.
EMC researchers Alehandrea Manuel, Dr. Elizabeth Holt and Professor Suzanne Purdy have been invited to discuss research that they and others in Aotearoa New Zealand are undertaking in an effort to reduce inequalities in ear and hearing healthcare with Māori and the Pacific region communities across the life course.
Alehandrea Manuel is the Māori Research Co-ordinator, Dr. Elizabeth Holt is the Pacific Research Advisor and Prof. Suzanne Purdy is the Deputy Co-director of the Eisdell Moore Centre.
Abstracts and recordings of these webinars are now available here
One in five people worldwide live with hearing loss, which is expected to rise to 1 in 4 people by 2050 according to the World Report on Hearing that was recently released by the World Health Organisation.
The Eisdell Moore Centre has a mission to reduce the impact of hearing and balance disability in New Zealand and the Pacific region and recently had the pleasure of collaborating with Uniservices to co-host a networking event at the School of Population Health.
Researchers from across the University and industry and government agency reps were invited to network with our researchers and learn more about hearing and balance and the opportunities for collaboration and innovation.
The evening kicked off with a wonderful reminder of the legacy of the Eisdell Moore Centre, by Chris Moore, the late Sir Patrick Eisdell Moore’s son. Sir Patrick was a prominent ENT in New Zealand who had a profound effect on the evolution of the ENT surgical specialty and treatment of ear disease and hearing loss in children and adults in New Zealand and the Centre is proudly named after him.
EMC Board member and supporter, Elena Keith, then led a panel discussion with Prof. Suzanne Purdy (Co-Deputy Chair EMC and Head of School of Psychology UoA), Dr Elizabeth (Pacific Research Advisor to EMC), Assoc. Professor Grant Searchfield (Co-Deputy Chair EMC), Professor Paul Smith (Vestibular expert at Otago University) and Dr Anisoara Nicol (Business Development Manager for Uniservices).
Our panel outlined the need for transdisciplinary research to tackle some of the big issues hearing and balance including dementia, tinnitus, balance and the development of accessible and coordinated services to address hearing care and hearing loss in our communities. They highlighted exciting opportunities for research in the near future, including trialling vestibular implants to treat balance disorders, the development of personalised approaches to address hearing loss and the development of technologies that will improve the accessibility of hearing and balance healthcare for all communities in the NZ and Pacific Region.
Andy Shenk, Uniservices CEO, closed the discussions with call to talk to at least 3 new people and it looked like the attendees took him up on that as the networking part of the evening commenced.
It was a pleasure to see so many people in a room discussing hearing and balance and collaboration across such a wide range of disciplines. By all accounts there was some great dialogue and we are looking forwards to seeing what bright and innovative new ideas come out of this event.
[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ inner_width=”auto” inner_max_width=”1230px”][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ custom_padding__hover=”|||” custom_padding=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.8.2″ text_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”text_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ text_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_vertical_length=”text_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ text_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_blur_strength=”text_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ text_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” link_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”link_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_vertical_length=”link_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_blur_strength=”link_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_vertical_length=”ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_blur_strength=”ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”ol_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_vertical_length=”ol_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_blur_strength=”ol_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”quote_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_vertical_length=”quote_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_blur_strength=”quote_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”header_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_vertical_length=”header_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_blur_strength=”header_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”header_2_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length=”header_2_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength=”header_2_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”header_3_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length=”header_3_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength=”header_3_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”header_4_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length=”header_4_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength=”header_4_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”header_5_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length=”header_5_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength=”header_5_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”header_6_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length=”header_6_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength=”header_6_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ z_index_tablet=”0″]
When: 27 May 2021, 5:30 – 7:30pm
Where: LG Atrium, Building 507, 22 – 30 Park Avenue, Grafton, Auckland
Join us for an evening of networking over drinks and nibbles to learn about the opportunities to collaborate with our researchers to develop impactful and transformative solutions for hearing and balance disability.
Our panel of experts will present their vision for the future of hearing and balance research, discussing therapeutics and service delivery models, the opportunities for AI and machine learning, addressing hearing and balance as a key to healthy aging, the potential for technology to enable equitable and accessible service delivery models, and opportunities for industry and interdisciplinary collaboration.
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_button _builder_version=”4.8.2″ button_text=”Read more and register here” button_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”button_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ button_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” button_text_shadow_vertical_length=”button_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ button_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” button_text_shadow_blur_strength=”button_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ button_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ z_index_tablet=”0″ button_url=”https://www.emcentre.ac.nz/files/2020/04/EMC-Showcase-event-invite.pdf” /][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]
[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ inner_width=”auto” inner_max_width=”1230px”][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ custom_padding__hover=”|||” custom_padding=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.8.2″ text_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”text_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ text_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_vertical_length=”text_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ text_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_blur_strength=”text_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ text_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” link_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”link_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_vertical_length=”link_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_blur_strength=”link_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_vertical_length=”ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_blur_strength=”ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”ol_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_vertical_length=”ol_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_blur_strength=”ol_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”quote_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_vertical_length=”quote_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_blur_strength=”quote_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”header_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_vertical_length=”header_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_blur_strength=”header_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”header_2_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length=”header_2_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength=”header_2_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”header_3_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length=”header_3_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength=”header_3_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”header_4_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length=”header_4_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength=”header_4_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”header_5_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length=”header_5_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength=”header_5_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”header_6_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length=”header_6_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength=”header_6_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ z_index_tablet=”0″]
World Hearing Day on the 3 March saw the release of the first World Report on Hearing by the World Health Organisation. Professor Peter Thorne, Director of the Eisdell Moore Centre at the University of Auckland made a substantial contribution to the content contained within this 272 page report alongside approx. 40 other international experts.
The World Report on Hearing is a key outcome of the resolution that was adopted in 2017 by the World Health Assembly (WHA70.13 Prevention of deafness and hearing loss), which acknowledged the growing prevalence and huge impacts of unaddressed hearing loss on individuals and society. It is a call to action for countries to address the burden of hearing loss in communities and deliver “hearing care for all.”
The official launch event for the report in New Zealand, was set to take place at NZ Parliament on 3 March, but unfortunately coincided with lockdown 4.0. However, a virtual event was organised by the National Foundation for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in its place that was hosted by the Minister of Health, Honourable Andrew Little and the Associate Minister of Disability, Hon. Carmel Sepuloni and was attended by members of the Eisdell Moore Centre. Hon. Andrew Little acknowledged the impact of hearing loss and the importance for an evidence-based approach to treat hearing loss in our communities.
The World Report on Hearing identifies the substantial individual, societal and economic burden from unaddressed hearing loss. Drawing on published data and modelling it provides a platform for policy makers to understand these impacts, awareness of evidence-based solutions along with the current challenges and opportunities to address access to hearing care. Importantly, it provides a range of implementable interventions that can be adopted by countries, such as New Zealand. There are significant challenges, but burden of hearing loss can be addressed by a public health approach and integration of ear and hearing care into health systems.
The World Report on Hearing is a major accomplishment led by Dr Shelly Chadha, the Technical Officer for the prevention of hearing loss and deafness at the World Health Organisation and the World Hearing Forum, which is supported by the WHO and comprises a number of agencies and organisations from around the world. The Eisdell Moore Centre is proud to be a member of this global forum. The report is a long-awaited tool for the essential global advocacy needed to address the burden of hearing loss and deliver on the goal of “hearing care for all”.
To hear more about the work that the Eisdell Moore Centre is doing to provide “Hearing care for all” in Aotearoa and the Pacific region, please attend the SoPH Head of School Seminar series on 1 June 2021: https://www.emcentre.ac.nz/2021/02/15/hearing-care-for-all-accessible-ear-and-hearing-health-services-in-aotearoa-and-pacific-island-countries/
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ custom_padding__hover=”|||” custom_padding=”|||”][et_pb_video _builder_version=”4.8.2″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnOFHXfG01E&t=865s” box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ z_index_tablet=”0″ /][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ custom_padding__hover=”|||” custom_padding=”|||”][et_pb_button admin_label=”Full Report” _builder_version=”4.8.2″ button_text=”Download the Full Report” button_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”button_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ button_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” button_text_shadow_vertical_length=”button_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ button_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” button_text_shadow_blur_strength=”button_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ button_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ z_index_tablet=”0″ button_url=”https://www.emcentre.ac.nz/files/2020/04/wrh_full-report_eng.pdf” button_alignment=”center” /][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ custom_padding__hover=”|||” custom_padding=”|||”][et_pb_button admin_label=”Exec. Summ” _builder_version=”4.8.2″ button_text=”Download the Executive Summary” button_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”button_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ button_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” button_text_shadow_vertical_length=”button_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ button_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” button_text_shadow_blur_strength=”button_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ button_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ z_index_tablet=”0″ button_url=”https://www.emcentre.ac.nz/files/2020/04/wrh-executive-summary.en_.pdf” button_alignment=”center” /][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ custom_padding__hover=”|||” custom_padding=”|||”][et_pb_button admin_label=”Policy Brief” _builder_version=”4.8.2″ button_text=”Download the Policy Brief” button_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”button_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ button_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” button_text_shadow_vertical_length=”button_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ button_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” button_text_shadow_blur_strength=”button_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ button_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ z_index_tablet=”0″ button_url=”https://www.emcentre.ac.nz/files/2020/04/wrh-policy-brief-en.pdf” button_alignment=”center” /][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]
Please click here for a recording of this seminar.
University of Auckland Head of School Seminar (School of Population Health)
Date: Rescheduled to 1 June 2021
Time: 12.30-1.30pm
Venue: Room G135; Building 507, 22 – 30 Park Ave, Grafton
Presenters:
Professor Peter Thorne, Professor Suzanne Purdy, Associate Professor Grant Searchfield, Alehandrea Manuel, Dr Elizabeth Holt
Abstract:
466 million people in the world have disabling hearing loss, with 90% of hearing losses being present in communities in low-to middle-income countries and high-risk populations in high-income countries. Hearing loss and ear disease has a high prevalence among Māori and Pasifika communities in New Zealand and in communities in Pacific Island Countries where there is a lack of supported national programmes and strategies to prevent and manage hearing loss. A public health approach is advocated to tackle the growing problem of hearing loss and ear disease. The first WHO World Report on Hearing will be released on the 3rd March 2021, coinciding with the annual World Hearing Day, a day of global hearing and ear health advocacy.
In recognition of the release of the report and the importance of the theme of World Hearing Day “Hearing Care for All”, members of the Eisdell Moore Centre for hearing and balance research will present a snapshot of how different aspects of our research works towards achieving hearing health equity. We will present a global, regional and local perspective on the development of ear and hearing care strategies, the role that new hearing technologies can play, and how hearing healthcare can be reorientated to be more accessible to communities in New Zealand and the broader Pacific region.
Peter Thorne: Global hearing health and the World Report on Hearing
Suzanne Purdy: Local perspective – hearing screening in children
Alehandrea Manuel: Local perspective – health equity for Māori
Grant Searchfield: Disruptive Hearing technologies
Elizabeth Holt: Service and Workforce Development in Pacific Island countries
Please click here for a recording of this seminar.
[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ inner_width=”auto” inner_max_width=”1230px”][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ custom_padding__hover=”|||” custom_padding=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.6.0″ text_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”text_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ text_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_vertical_length=”text_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ text_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_blur_strength=”text_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ text_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” link_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”link_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_vertical_length=”link_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_blur_strength=”link_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_vertical_length=”ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_blur_strength=”ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”ol_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_vertical_length=”ol_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_blur_strength=”ol_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”quote_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_vertical_length=”quote_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_blur_strength=”quote_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”header_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_vertical_length=”header_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_blur_strength=”header_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”header_2_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length=”header_2_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength=”header_2_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”header_3_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length=”header_3_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength=”header_3_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”header_4_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length=”header_4_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength=”header_4_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”header_5_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length=”header_5_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength=”header_5_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”header_6_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length=”header_6_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength=”header_6_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ z_index_tablet=”0″]
Brain Research New Zealand (BRNZ) and Eisdell Moore Centre (EMC) members congregated at the waharoa (gateway) of Te Awataha Marae. Some were nervous, some were excited, and some had mixed emotions about what was to come. The kaikaranga (Māori wāhine caller) called us onto the marae aatea (sacred standing place of Tu Matauenga, the God of War). Every so often the response is led by a senior male under a Ngapuhi custom. When the tangata whenua (hosts) heard mātua Tukaha Milne reply, they answered back with an outstanding haka. In that moment, we felt the wairua (spirituality), mauri (life force/energy) and mana (power).
It was in that pōwhiri process where we began our ‘Takarangi Cultural Competency Wānanga’. Over two days, whaea Moe Milne and mātua Tukaha provided an introductory to the ‘Takarangi Competency Framework’ (TCF), a framework steeped in Mātauranga Māori (an indigenous knowledge system) that focuses on reflexive practice and service delivery. Dr. Meagan Barclay – EMC Research Operations Manager – found the Takarangi wānanga as incredibly valuable in her journey of learning more about Te Ao Māori and to build her cultural competency. Cultural competence used in the TCF does not mean to be competent in another culture but to integrate clinical input and cultural values and practice. This was useful for Dr. Catherine Theys – a researcher at Te Kura Mahi ā-Hirikapo, Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha (School of Psychology, University of Canterbury) – who reported, “there were a lot of opportunities for discussions that were very relevant to the specific research that we are doing”.
We took part in a range of interactive activities. From kinaesthetic brain games and sharing pūrākau (stories) to reading whakatauki (proverbs). One whakatauki read, “Ki te kāhore he whakakitenga ka ngaro te iwi. Without foresight or vision the people will be lost”. A message from Kingi Tawhiao to encourage people to appreciate the urgency of unification and strong Māori leadership.
These are our first steps towards creating culturally safe research, and we hope that in the near future other EMC members take a dive into this journey with us. A special thanks to Chelsea Cunningham of BRNZ, Moe and Tukaha Milne, the Awataha Marae whānau and Rehua Marae whānau for your aroha and manaaki.
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]
[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ inner_width=”auto” inner_max_width=”1230px”][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ custom_padding__hover=”|||” custom_padding=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.6.0″ text_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”text_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ text_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_vertical_length=”text_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ text_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_blur_strength=”text_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ text_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” link_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”link_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_vertical_length=”link_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_blur_strength=”link_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_vertical_length=”ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_blur_strength=”ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”ol_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_vertical_length=”ol_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_blur_strength=”ol_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”quote_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_vertical_length=”quote_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_blur_strength=”quote_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”header_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_vertical_length=”header_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_blur_strength=”header_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”header_2_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length=”header_2_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength=”header_2_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”header_3_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length=”header_3_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength=”header_3_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”header_4_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length=”header_4_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength=”header_4_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”header_5_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length=”header_5_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength=”header_5_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”header_6_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length=”header_6_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength=”header_6_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ z_index_tablet=”0″]
Clockwise from left: Dr. Bernard Whitfield with Assoc. Professor ‘Amelia Tu’ipulotu (Minister of Health) during World Hearing Day 2020; Dr. Lopati (second from left) with ENT staff members and Dr Bernard Whitfield; Dr Lopati (right) and research supervisor Prof. Stephen O’Leary (left) during the ear and hearing health screening of primary school children in Tonga.
The Eisdell Moore Centre works with colleagues in the Pacific region to support to development of Ear and Hearing Care services in the region. We will be featuring the work that is going on in various Pacific Island Countries over the next few months, including research and service development. EMC member Dr Sepiuta Lopati, an ENT from Tonga, has provided the following update:
The Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) department in Tonga was established in 1987 by Consultant Specialist and Head of Department Dr. Leiukamea Saafi. Currently, the entire population of Tonga (over 100,000 people) receive all primary and secondary ear and hearing health services from Vaiola Hospital on the main island of Tongatapu.
The ENT department is currently staffed by Dr. Sione Folau and Dr. Pe’ofa Tigarea, graduates from Fiji National University. A volunteer Audiologist from New Zealand Mr. Philip Luey has recently started working at the clinic two days per week to assist with the development of the new audiology service.
The 30-year-old hospital operating microscope was finally replaced this year through a kind donation from Logan Hospital in Queensland arranged by Dr. Bernard Whitfield with shipping costs funded by Royal Australian College of Surgeons. For the first time, Tonga celebrated World Hearing Day on the 3rd of March this year, during which this new equipment was presented to the clinic by Dr Whitfield. In November 2020, Dr. Leiukamea Saafi led a local visiting team to the island of Vava’u to conduct outpatient clinics and surgeries for the local community.
Dr. Sepiuta Lopati has recently completed her Master of Surgery by Research which was on the prevalence of ear disease and hearing loss amongst primary school children in Tonga. Results reveal a high prevalence of wax and otitis media with both contributing to hearing losses in this population. Dr. Lopati would like this research to be the catalyst to the introduction of a national screening program for primary school children, the development of training for ENT doctors, nurses and an audiologist, and to establish the first audiology unit in Tonga.
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]