Pacific children with hearing loss targeted

Pacific children with hearing impairment and their families are being targeted with new information in Samoan and Tongan to help get the most from a child’s hearing aids.

The Oticon Foundation has launched information booklets Au Meafaalogo and Ko Ho’o Me’a-Fanongo “Your Hearing Aids – a guide for helping children and their families understand and take care of their hearing aids” in Samoan and Tongan as part of 2008 Deaf Awareness week last month.

“We want to break down barriers that can be created as a result of hearing impairment,” says Karen Pullar, secretary to the Trustees of the Oticon Foundation.

“Feedback from audiologists, educationalists and the community suggested provision of information for children and families where the Samoan and Tongan languages is spoken may help.”

The booklet provides tips and hints about how to look after your hearing aids and what to do to keep them in shape.

The resource is also available in English and te reo Maori.

“We know that Maori and Pacific Island children are much more likely to experience hearing loss than other children,” says Ms Pullar.

It is estimated that approximately:

• Two to three children in every 1000 wear hearing aids.

• Pasifika children are also over-represented in hearing loss statistics.

Copies of the booklets are available from: www.oticon.org.nz