MEDIA RELEASE

New Zealand Audiological Society
14th September 2010

Audiologists Add Their Voice And Support To First Ever “Be Heard Day”

The New Zealand Audiological Society is supporting the first ever Be Heard Day – where Members of Parliament across the country will hear first-hand what is wrong with the proposed ACC changes and the impact of them on the hearing impaired.

“MPs in their electorates on Saturday 18 September will be given messages loud and clear about the problems with the proposed ACC changes, and the impact on individuals and their families,” says Peter Stubbing, President of the New Zealand Audiological Society.

The national “Be Heard Day” initiative has been launched by the National Foundation for the Deaf and has support from the entire Hearing Sector. The caucuses from National, Labour and the Green Party have agreed that MPs will set aside the Saturday morning to hear about this issue.

Audiologists are concerned that the proposed changes will ignore the fundamentals of the ACC scheme i.e. to rehabilitate fully persons suffering from work –related injury and will be visiting their local MPs throughout the country. They will also be supporting hearing impaired people when they visit their local electorate offices.

“We have been working constructively to try to get a moratorium on the ACC changes. We believe the willingness of these political parties to hear from audiologists and clients directly is a positive step. It shows MPs from National, Labour and the Green Party are open to hearing more about the issues and being educated about the realities of their decisions on people’s lives."

“The audiology profession understand that ACC needs to have a sustainable scheme which is fair for all, however there are better ways that savings can be made. “

The New Zealand Audiological Society recently met with the ACC Minister to discuss alternatives. Going forward, NZAS is hoping to work collaboratively with the ACC to make the high quality of audiological care received by those with work-related noise induced hearing loss more sustainable

The New Zealand Audiological Society is the professional organisation representing qualified Audiologists and audiology in New Zealand.

ENDS

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