Hearing disability in New Zealand: Contributing factors and ideas for addressing those

Abstract

Disability is increasingly defined as a phenomenon that results from interactions between a person‘s health and features of their society. While there are some aspects associated with the concept of ‗hearing disability‘ which make it problematic to summarise, the individual psychosocial consequences are well understood and likely applicable to New Zealanders. However, a better understanding of other factors that contribute to hearing disability here is required. This research has used a qualitative method to examine the factors which 14 people involved in the provision of New Zealand‘s hearing health and Deaf services think contribute to hearing disability here and their ideas for what might be done to minimise those. The results show these people think hearing disability in New Zealand is characterised by negative effects on a variety of interpersonal situations; complacency stemming from poor awareness of the issues plus apathy to change the status-quo; and disparities in terms of attitudes and services. Participants think improving New Zealanders‘ knowledge of hearing health, protection, and communication options will help them value their sense of hearing and build social tolerance for people who have alternative communication needs. Awareness-raising and education initiatives could be used to build knowledge, which may also eventually influence government spending priorities. While there are opportunities for hearing health and Deaf organisations to collaborate on such projects, striking a balance that allows a unified voice while acknowledging different levels of need is not easy. A three-pronged approach to minimising hearing disability is suggested as one possible way forward. It encompasses cultivating collaboration, building understanding, and improving access – all of which could be underpinned by better acknowledgement of peoples‘ right to communicate. The findings represent the views of a small group of people involved with hearing health and Deaf services in New Zealand. Therefore, they are only the beginning of an information-gathering process that should seek the views of people who experience the consequences of hearing disability and others involved in service development and delivery. Collecting all these views would more fullyinform recommendations that could be made to minimise the factors that contribute to hearing disability in this country.