Media Release

Oticon Foundation in New Zealand, Monday 24 March 2014

Funding support available for projects to improve the lives of hearing impaired people

Time is fast running out to apply for funding from the Oticon Foundation in New Zealand. Anyone with an interest or project to further the understanding of hearing and hearing loss, or improve the lives of hearing impaired people, is eligible to apply. In 2013 the Foundation donated nearly $250,000 to projects and activities.

Grant applications close on 31 March 2014. Information on how to apply can be found on the Foundation’s website at http://www.oticon.org.nz

Last year the Foundation supported the Hearing Association, Nelson to print an information poster for frontline staff on recognising hearing impairment, and the development of an e-collection of New Zealand Sign Language education resources.

“The e-collection will make Sign Language education resources readily accessible and will help support sign language teaching, which is part of the intermediate school curriculum” says Karen Pullar, Secretary to the Oticon Foundation trustees.

Other projects backed in the 2013 were:
• The Oticon Foundation Hearing Education Centre at the University of Auckland
• Attendance at the National Summer Games for Special Olympics NZ to provide hearing screening for cognitively impaired athletes
• Provision of balance assessment equipment for the University of Canterbury
• An audiology student award at the University of Auckland.
• Support for the National Foundation for the Deaf’s advocacy programme delivery.

The Oticon Foundation in New Zealand was established in October 1976. It is the charitable trust of Oticon New Zealand Limited and aims to improve the lives of the hearing impaired in New Zealand through communication and knowledge. It is committed to finding better solutions to hearing loss and strives to increase public awareness and understanding of hearing impairment.

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