ABOUT THE HEARING HOUSE
The Hearing House is an Auckland-based charity that delivers a range of services and programmes to kiritaki (clients) from Cape Reinga to Taupo
A key focus of our work is helping people who use cochlear implants to hear. Its dedicated team of audiologists, specialised therapists and support staff works with kiritaki, whanau and partners to establish a community of care that enables people to make choices about their own lives at each stage of their journey.
For a cochlear implant recipient, receiving their implant is just the beginning of their journey to access sound.
The Hearing House helps children as young as five months of age up to adults in their 90s to learn to listen and communicate with the aid of their cochlear implants.
As a charity, The Hearing House relies on government funding, fundraising and donations to provide unique services and programmes to its kiritaki, including outreach clinics and the Cochlear Implant Repair Fund, and to help cover its operating costs.
ABOUT THE HEARING HOUSE
Our Vision
People who are hard of hearing are empowered, connected, and enriched.
THE HEARING HOUSE
Our Mission ABOUT
We foster a community of support, empowering people who are hard of hearing, and their whanau, to explore potential and make choices on their journey.
ABOUT THE HEARING HOUSE
Our Values
Aroha
Love and kindness
Mahitahi Better together
Miharo (wonder) Future focused
Kaitiaki Guardianship
STATEMENT OF SERVICE PERFORMANCE
At The Hearing House, we foster a nurturing and caring environment, where we strive to create a space where people who are hard of hearing are empowered, connected and enriched. We want to see our clients and their whanau explore their potential and make choices on their journey to lead fulfilling lives.
We have developed key strategic goals to help steer and focus our mission and mapped our outcomes against these objectives to demonstrate progress.
Our outcomes reflect how we met our objectives in the most meaningful way throughout the year. In assessing our performance, we have identified the key areas and used our judgement to come up with both qualitative and quantitative areas to be measured.
In doing so, we have worked with our team, funders and our community stakeholders to help achieve these outcomes in the following ways.
We are delighted to showcase the remarkable colourful artwork of Bev Hickson-Snook, a Hearing House kiritaki, in this year’s Annual Report. Bev is an exceptional artist whose creations hold a profound focus on deaf life, New Zealand Sign Language, and Deaf identity. Through her use of bold and eye-catching colours, she skillfully captures the intricacies of life that might go unnoticed by those who are not deaf but are of immense significance to the Deaf community. Her art beautifully conveys the essence of being Deaf and offers a distinct perspective that fosters inclusivity.
NON-FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE
Fostering a community
The establishment of a collaborative, safe and supportive environment for our stakeholders has again been a key focus over this past year. This has been achieved through the implementation of various initiatives and programmes, including health and wellbeing, employee assistance and advice, team building, digital and IT, and external and internal communications.
Objective
Create a nurturing, safe and supportive home for our community, staff, allies, partners and funders.
Progress/Outcomes
This year sees a continuation of team wellbeing initiatives, including a wellness policy, access to Employee Assistance Programme, personal leave option and personal development opportunities. This has enhanced general health and wellbeing and created value among staff who have responded positively to the initiatives.
Implementation of team-wide engagement survey which resulted in very positive results, including an overall rating score of 91%. A total of 95% of our team said they were proud to work for The Hearing House.
Continuation of fortnightly shared kai meet-up for team members to enable collaborative learning, encourage best practice and celebrate key achievements.
Further development of the functions within our client management system to create greater efficiencies and streamlined ease of access for both team members and kiritaki.
Launch of Kapa Ko¯rero - team newsletter to keep staff informed on key highlights, policy changes and industry developments.
Successful continuation and deepening of our partnership with Deaf Aotearoa – we have built on and continued our First Signs playgroup programme and developed a teens programme with all activities conducted in NZSL. We now also have members of Deaf Aotearoa working from The Hearing House during the week. This has further enhanced our partner collaboration and the development of a key support and learning initiative across age groups.
People at the heart
People are at the heart of everything we do at The Hearing House. During the year, we have made our services more widely available and accessible to our communities, helping provide a better understanding of what we can offer and achieving improved health outcomes.
Objective
Co-design our services with kiritaki and wha ¯ nau to ensure we understand and meet their needs.
Progress/Outcomes
Launch of the mobile hearing clinic, expanding the availability of our services and programmes to underserved areas and providing services closer to the heart of our communities, leading to better health outcomes.
Expansion of popular in-house counselling and wellbeing services for clients and wha nau to include a social worker contribution. A total of 73 clients engaged with our counselling services over nearly 200 sessions this year, helping strengthen our ability to address the community’s needs and enhance our service delivery.
Continued to take our services to the communities we serve, providing assistance closer to home for many and achieving better health outcomes. A 5.12% increase in offsite visits was achieved this year, with a total of 1,273 visits. This rise reflects our dedication to engaging with the community and highlights the importance of our outreach efforts in meeting client needs.
Made our services more inclusive and accessible to a wider, more diverse audience. Fostered our collaboration with Deaf Aotearoa to provide the best possible mix of NZSL services and support to meet the needs of our kiritaki and empower them to make their own choices.
Provided greater understanding of cochlear implant equipment and how it works through the introduction of technology assessment workshops and the recruitment of volunteers to assist kiritaki with their technical needs.
Equity and inclusion
We strive to achieve parity across all our priority groups and provide services that are open and accessible to all we serve. Outreach is a pivotal part of our service delivery as it enables us to reach further into communities, often in some of the more underserved regions, and meet kiritaki in a space that works for them. Developing trust and understanding will lead to improved health outcomes.
Objective
Create equity of access and better outcomes for all.
Progress/Outcomes
Our waitlist for adult cochlear implants reduced by 33%, driven by factors including greater efficiency in processing referrals which has eliminated appointment waiting times, along with timely Government funding.
The number of referrals rose from 165 to 189, a 14.6% increase on last year. Our efforts to educate and support the community and audiologists have played a crucial role in this increase.
Maintained high efficiency in processing referrals, conducting 163 adult assessments this year, marking a 14% increase on last year.
Through the availability of increased funding and greater awareness of our services, a total of 106 kiritaki received cochlear implants this year.
Increased the number of Maori kiritaki supported by the programme by 7% on last year.
Increased the number of Pasifika clients supported by the programme by 6% on last year.
Increased the number of Ko Taku Reo students under our care by 6%, and provided the services of our on-site mobile hearing van for Ko Taku Reo students at Ormiston School.
Launch of the mobile hearing clinic, expanding the availability of our services and programmes to underserved areas and providing services closer to the heart of our communities, leading to better health outcomes.
Te Tiriti
A key part of our strategy of honouring our obligations under Te Tiriti is the provision of more equitable health outcomes for Maori. We employ Te Whare Tapa Wha, a te ao Ma ori health model, when we work with kiritaki, ensuring that physical, spiritual, whanau and mental wellbeing needs are met.
Objective
Honour our obligations under Te Tiriti and be a good partner with Ma ¯ ori.
Progress/Outcomes
Further enhanced our partnership with Nga ti Wha tua Ora kei to incorporate te ao Maori ma tauranga elements into The Hearing House strategy, including the provision of te reo Maori classes and ongoing collaboration on significant events.
Developed a clinical strategy that better serves our priority groups, including Maori, traditionally underserved by the health sector. This has included the use of translators, a more holistic service provision (based on Te Whare Tapa Wha), the introduction of Kaitautoko Kiritaki or support navigation for clients, greater education initiatives and increased networking opportunities for kiritaki and their whanau. This has led to a 7% increase in the number of Maori kiritaki supported by our programme.
Centre of Excellence
We continue to strive to be a Centre of Excellence and have seen a continuation of our advances in research and training. We have an ongoing relationship with the Audiology and Speech Science Departments, providing students with real-world learning opportunities which in turn brings benefits of world-class research outcomes to those with hearing difficulties, both here and overseas.
Objective
Establish The Hearing House as a recognised leader in New Zealand and overseas for clinical best practice, innovation, research and training.
Progress/Outcomes
Deepened relationship with University of Auckland Audiology training programme by integrating and extending some of our clinical services with student research projects. A total of five research projects were either completed or are underway this year. We also hosted 14 Masters of Audiology students for practicum placements.
Language Therapy students have had clinical placements at The Hearing House and the clinical team has provided lectures to students at the University of Auckland.
Continuation of the partnership with Painga Project, a South Auckland-based health and wellbeing charity.
Members of our clinical team presented at 26 local, national and international meetings or conferences over the course of the year.
Continued knowledge and best practice sharing with First Voice Group, leading to greater awareness of The Hearing House on a national and international level.
Be Sustainable
Financial and environmental sustainability is a key part of creating a strong and resilient organisation. Throughout the year, we have implemented various initiatives around regeneration and recycling, aimed at creating greater awareness of environmental sustainability and best practice.
Objective
Create and maintain a strong and resilient organisation that is financially secure, socially and culturally grounded and protects our environment for
Progress/Outcomes
Continuation of process for recycling materials and batteries, and repurposing equipment.
Provided increased access to costs of unfunded repairs via the Cochlear Implant Repair Fund.
Continued use of two hybrid vehicles in our car fleet.
Solar panels on the roof of The Hearing House, providing an alternative source of energy.
Increased movement towards a paper-less office environment.
2023-2024
Our Impact
73
56
A total of 73 adult and paediatric clients engaged with our counselling services, up 22% over nearly 200 sessions
Ko Taku Reo students under our care, up 6%
189
163
106
Number of adult referrals rose from 165 to 189, up 14.6%
Conducted 163 adult assessments, up 14%
Provided 106 implants to 83 adults and 23 children
1,414
178
69
Kiritaki supported by the programme, up 6.7%
Ma ¯ ori clients supported by the programme, up 7%
Pasifika clients supported by the programme, up 6%
Number of clients on wait list down 33%
1,273
Off-site and outreach appointments conducted, up 5%
CHAIR MESSAGE FROM THE
One of our objectives is to establish The Hearing House as a Centre of Excellence.
My first report as the Chairman of The Hearing House covers a period that largely pre-dates my joining the Board in February of this year. Consequently, the achievements of the year are down to the efforts of other people, and I will try to do justice to their achievements.
One of our objectives is to establish The Hearing House as a Centre of Excellence, where we champion innovation, best practice, research and training. This objective requires our team to be committed to continuous improvement in everything we do. What I have observed since joining the Board is a team that strives to further this objective in everything they do – from the welcoming environment they create when you meet the team, through to the engagement with kiritaki or clients throughout their journey in an inclusive and professional way.
I came to be involved with The Hearing House because of observing the tireless efforts of the previous Chair, Paul Cook.
Paul has worked steadfastly over many years to develop and improve The Hearing House’s facilities; to help ensure we offer a nurturing and caring environment and to ensure that the organisation is financially sustainable. His efforts have also been significant in the launch of our mobile hearing van; an important element of our efforts to address issues of equity of access and outcomes for our communities, particularly those in underserved areas.
I can’t do justice to Paul’s contribution in my introduction but would urge you to read more about his contributions in this report.
Another reason I joined The Hearing House Board is that I have seen the negative impacts of hearing issues with members of my own wha¯nau, and the benefits that come from addressing these.
My own experiences are minor compared with some of the challenges our clients face. The work that our team does is intrinsically important because it has the potential to materially change people’s lives for the better.
Our CEO Dr Claire Green and her team have gone above and beyond to embody our values in every aspect of their mahi. In addition to ensuring The Hearing House team delivers the highest standard of services to our kiritaki, Claire has worked tirelessly to develop and strengthen relationships with all our suppliers, funders and other organisations that support the deaf/Deaf community.
One of the continuing key challenges we face at The Hearing House is ensuring we are financially sustainable.
We operate with a year-to-year contractual funding model which makes developing longer term strategies extremely challenging. We also rely on the generous support of our many benefactors.
The current cost of living crisis is making the operating environment even more challenging with rising costs and increasing demands being made on traditional charitable funders.
As always, I think it is important to mention specifically the enduring support of some key benefactors. These include the Punchestown Trust, Lion Foundation, Foundation North, Four Winds Foundation, Rotorua Trust, Milestone Foundation, the Hugo Charitable Trust, the Lindsay Foundation, Trillian Trust, Dragon Community Trust, Bay Trust, The Trusts Community Foundation, Quota Papakura, ANZ New Zealand Staff Foundation, NR and JH Thomson Charitable Trust, Maurice Paykel Charitable Trust, DV Bryant Trust, Trust Waikato and Hearing House client Grace McKean.
"I also want to acknowledge the significant financial contributions made by some donors who wish to remain anonymous. We know who you are and appreciate your support."
More than ever, we need to recognise the support of our funding partners. While we continually strive to close the gap between the contract revenue received from the Government and our expenses, it is simply not possible to deliver the services required without additional support for our operational costs.
We are aware that there are many more people in our communities who could benefit from a cochlear implant, but we are limited in what we can do by the existing eligibility criteria. To try and increase the number of people we can assist, we continue to advocate for the Government’s criteria to be broadened so that we have access to additional funding to allow this demand to be met.
Particularly heartening has been the response to our efforts to improve the funding and efficiency of delivery of our services from those operating in the political and public service arenas.
However, no matter how heartening these responses have been, they represent only a first step in our aim of providing more services to more people as cost-effectively as possible.
Finally, I would like to express my sincere thanks to my fellow Board members who have given their time and expertise freely. They bring a mix of surgical, academic, health and business skills to support the wonderful team who are at the heart of delivering life-changing support to our kiritaki.
An acknowledgment of Paul Cook's Leadership PAVING THE WAY FOR FUTURE SUCCESS:
This year, we bid farewell to Paul Cook, who stepped down as Chair of The Hearing House after an extraordinary 16 years of dedicated service on the Board. Paul has tirelessly contributed his time and expertise, leaving a lasting impact on all aspects of our organisation.
Under Paul’s leadership, we have experienced remarkable growth and development.
A highlight of his tenure was the successful integration of the adult cochlear implant programme with the children’s programme, bringing to life our founder Sir Pat Moore's vision of providing a lifetime of care for all cochlear implant users.
Paul also played a key role in enhancing our collaboration with The University of Auckland, which has greatly benefited our organisation. His efforts led to the establishment of the Clinical Director role, a pivotal bridge between the university and The Hearing House that has strengthened our clinical services and research initiatives.
Paul played a crucial role in our capital raising campaign, which led to the redevelopment of our facilities to better serve both adult and paediatric clients. He was also instrumental in launching our mobile hearing van, extending our reach to those in need.
Beyond his achievements in infrastructure, Paul fostered a collaborative environment within the Board and among our team, nurturing talent and encouraging innovation. His advocacy for aligning government criteria for cochlear implants with global standards has been vital, and we are beginning to see progress in this area.
As we move forward, we remain committed to building on the foundation Paul has laid, ensuring that the growing needs of our communities continue to be met. We are deeply grateful for his leadership and vision, which will resonate within The Hearing House for years to come.
Paul Cook
OUR BOARD AND TRUSTEES
Dr Ron Goodey
Bill Patterson
Sally Synnott
Richard Webb
Robert Gunn
Dr Diane Winstanley
CHRIS MOORE CHAIR
Chris has been chair of The Cochlear Implant Foundation of New Zealand since 2020, continuing the mahi of his late father and founder of The Hearing House, Sir Patrick Eisdell Moore (Sir Pat), an eminent New Zealand surgeon and medical researcher.
Sir Pat was a pioneer in cochlear implants and was the first person in the world to perform an eardrum transplant. Sir Pat served as a medical officer in World War II in the 28th Ma¯ori Battalion.
Chris is chair of the Large-Scale Infrastructure Governance Group, overseeing large scale public projects in Ta¯maki Makaurau Auckland.
He is chair of the College of Law New Zealand and was previously president of the NZ Law Society.
Chris’s career included ten years as a partner at law firm Russell McVeagh. In 1999, he joined Meredith Connell to establish and head its commercial/commercial property practice.
He was also chair of the firm’s board for a number of years. In 2013 he founded the Auckland office of Greenwood Roche, a specialist projects firm. In 2021 he established his own consultancy firm specialising in commercial property and legal advice.
Chris Moore, Paul Cook, Claire Green Artwork by Bev Hickson-Snook
THE HEARING HOUSE ADVISORY BOARD DIRECTORS
DAVID CAMERON-BROWN CHAIR
David runs his own strategic advisory business, Cameron Brown Corporate Advisory Limited, providing independent advice on commercial strategy, capital raising and investor relations, acquisition, and divestment and merger opportunities to a wide range of public and private enterprises.
Prior to establishing Cameron Brown Corporate Advisory, David was a Partner of Goldman Sachs JBWere and Co-head of Investment Banking at Goldman Sachs JBWere New Zealand.
PROFESSOR SUZANNE PURDY
Suzanne Purdy (Te Rarawa, Ngai Takoto) is a Professor in the School of Psychology at the University of Auckland, having previously been Head of School and Head of Discipline of Speech Science within Psychology.
She has broad interests in communication and neuroscience, including auditory processing and electrophysiology, communication difficulties in children and adults and ear and hearing health equity.
She is Principal Investigator with the Centre for Brain Research and Co-Deputy Director of the Eisdell Moore Centre for Hearing and Balance Research.
She is a member of the hearing research team for the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study and is co-investigator on HRC-funded research seeking to reduce inequities in Well Child Tamariki Ora developmental surveillance.
In 2022, Suzanne was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit. She has served on The Hearing House Advisory Board since 2018.
David has over 30 years’ experience in investment banking and corporate advisory and has advised some of New Zealand’s largest companies and public entities on strategy, capital raisings, NZX listing, investor relations, and asset sales and purchases.
David has also held board positions on private and public companies. David was appointed as Chair of The Hearing House Advisory Board in May 2024.
DR DAVID WELCH ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
Dr David Welch originally studied psychology and physiology, and has since developed expertise in longitudinal research, epidemiology, health promotion, and population health.
His current research interests in hearing are around the influences of sound, hearing, and hearing loss on people. He is involved in research and service provision in adults with cochlear implants, has interests in newborn hearing screening, and is involved in research about environmental noise and the soundscape.
He is based in the Audiology Section of the School of Population Health at the University of Auckland, where he is currently involved in teaching the Master of Audiology programme, mainly in areas related to physiology, neurophysiology, psychology of hearing, hearing screening, and community interventions.
THE HEARING HOUSE ADVISORY BOARD
DIRECTORS
JOSH FOREMAN
Josh Foreman is a cochlear implant user and a Professional Teaching
With a recently completed Masters of Science in Clinical Exercise Physiology, he excels in helping individuals achieve their fitness goals and rehabilitating clinical patients.
As an enthusiastic mentor, Josh engages with hard of hearing teenagers to discuss their lives and future aspirations. Driven by a love for challenges, he strives to be the best and is dedicated to making a positive impact in the field of Health and Fitness.
DR COLIN BROWN
Dr. Colin Brown is a highly regarded OtolaryngologistHead and Neck Surgeon (Ear Nose and Throat Surgeon) with a specialisation in ear surgery, hearing implants, and hearing disorders.
With over 25 years of experience as a consultant ear surgeon at Starship Children’s Hospital, he has treated a diverse range of ear diseases, deformities, and deafness in children.
Additionally, Dr. Brown plays a crucial role as a senior surgeon for the Northern Regional Cochlear Implant Programme.
His expertise and dedication have earned him recognition as a peer reviewer for the International Journal of Pediatric Otolaryngology and ACC, New Zealand, and he previously served as the president of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Paediatric Otorhinolaryngology (ANZSPO).
WILLA HAND
In 2019, Willa’s youngest son Emerson lost his hearing as a result of illness and is now profoundly deaf aided by cochlear implants.
Alongside her work in the Deaf community as President of Auckland Parents of Deaf Children, and Deaf Children New Zealand, Willa is excited to give back to The Hearing House.
Willa has extensive experience in culture and engagement, process improvement, strategy and customer/ shareholder lifecycle, skills she's hoping to put to good use with the team.
Willa is an advocate for NZSL and Deaf Culture and credits the Cochlear and Deaf communities for embracing the provision of support and encouragement as she learnt to navigate both the hearing and deaf worlds and advocate for her son and others in the community.
KIRIMOANA WILLOUGHBY
Kirimoana Willoughby (Ngati Whatua kei, Ngapuhi) is assistant village manager at Eastcliffe retirement village.
She joined The Hearing House Advisory Board in 2022.
Kirimoana has worked in both the private and public health sector for several years, including Counties Manukau Hospital and Ngati Whatua Orakei health insurance scheme for nib NZ where she assisted many of her whanau with the scheme before moving to general practice manager at Orakei Health in 2020.
She has also served on the Auckland DHB board as part of its Future Directors programme.
MESSAGE FROM THE
CEO
Dr
At The Hearing House, we are dedicated to being as inclusive as possible for all our kiritaki/clients and their wha ¯ nau.
Our connected care model integrates essential services such as specialist audiology, speech-language therapy, and rehabilitation, which are crucial to helping our kiritaki lead their best lives.
We’re honoured to be the sole provider of specialised care for the cochlear implant programme from Cape Reinga to Taupo¯ and as part of our philosophy on early intervention and support, we remain committed to providing comprehensive, family-centred care for those who use cochlear implants to access sound.
A large part of this is delivering our services and programmes in a way that meets the needs of our kiritaki.
A great achievement of the past year has been the launch of our mobile hearing clinic – a legacy of our wonderful founders Sir Pat Moore and Phil Ryall.
More than 30 years ago, Sir Pat had a vision around transforming the healthcare needs of people by taking services out into the community, allowing families to seek treatment and advice nearer their homes. Outreach is pivotal in our service delivery, and we know that there are people in our region who would benefit from cochlear implants, and our mobile service will enable us to reach these people.
At the August blessing conducted by our partners at Nga¯ti Wha¯tua O ra¯kei, we gave thanks for the vision of our founders, the beautiful exterior design by celebrated Ta¯ Moko artist Graham Tipene, the support of our generous funders and benefactors, and all the mahi that has gone into making this vision a reality.
This initiative is a wonderful example of what can be achieved with the support of our many and generous benefactors. The enthusiasm of our team to get the van out on the road is something that brings much joy to me.
In July, I had the pleasure of accompanying 11-year-old Hearing House client Henry Optican and his family to Canberra for the Power of Speech hosted by First Voice.
The event is designed to challenge the perceptions of what children who are hard of hearing can achieve. Henry delivered his self-written speech to key policymakers flawlessly. Henry’s grandfather also has cochlear implants, and it was an honour to spend time with his family. We are currently exploring the possibility of bringing the event to Aotearoa New Zealand next year and hope to have news to share on this in the new year.
We continue to expand our offerings to our kiritaki to meet their needs in other ways, including a text counselling service run by our wha¯nau support team.
We have had a social work student on placement with us during the year, which has demonstrated a strong need for social work support as an ongoing service.
I remain immensely proud of the dedicated, unified and passionate mahi of The Hearing House team. An engagement survey conducted during the year showed that staff are enthusiastic and committed to The Hearing House, the services we offer and the work environment we’ve created – and would have no hesitation in recommending us to others.
Our Clinical Director, Holly Teagle, continues with her efforts to raise awareness of congenital Cytomegalovirus (cCMV), the most common cause of non-genetic hearing loss in children, and mentors and supports a growing number of audiology students in their research projects. She has been on study leave in the United States over the winter months and hopes to expand our research opportunities that could lead to meaningful change in CMV screening and early intervention in this country.
Claire Green, CEO of The Hearing House
The support and relationships fostered with many organisations, including the University of Auckland, the First Voice Group, Deaf Aotearoa, the Painga Project, and Nga¯ti Wha¯tua Ora¯kei, have made a lasting impact on both my leadership and the broader work of The Hearing House. I am grateful for the trust, encouragement, and learning we continue to share, and look forward to further strengthening these partnerships in the years to come.
One of the most meaningful and powerful examples of this collaboration is our relationship with Deaf Aotearoa, which holds particular significance for me. Today, we have members of Deaf Aotearoa working alongside our team in our offices. This opportunity not only allows our teams to connect with and learn from one another, but also highlights the rich and rewarding potential that strong partnerships can create.
I would like to express my gratitude to Nga¯ti Wha¯tua O ra¯kei for the support they have extended to both me personally and to The Hearing House over the past year. I deeply value the insights, opportunities, and collaborative spirit we have shared.
Through our engagement, we have not only begun our journey learning Te Reo Ma¯ori but also explored the important cultural concepts that underpin the language, which has enriched our understanding and deepened our connection to Ma¯ori values. This learning has provided us with new perspectives and has been instrumental in helping to shape our work in a more inclusive and culturally aware way.
I would like to acknowledge Pat Snedden, whose longstanding connection with Nga¯ti Wha¯tua O ra¯kei has been a source of guidance and mentorship to me personally. His advice and the space he provides for reflection have been crucial to my personal and professional growth, and, in turn, have contributed significantly to the work of The Hearing House.
Thank you also to Simpson Grierson, the national law firm, for their invaluable pro bono support over the past year. Their support has had a tangible and positive impact on our work and as a charity. As CEO of The Hearing House, I can confidently say that the partnership with Simpson Grierson gives me the confidence to lead with assurance, knowing we have the legal expertise and support needed to navigate complex issues.
As we reflect on the past year, I would like to take a moment to acknowledge the significant contribution of our former board chair Paul Cook, a person I hold in the utmost respect. Paul’s unwavering commitment, passion, and hard work have been vital to our progress, especially in what has often been a challenging and taxing environment.
During his tenure, we have witnessed the remarkable growth and maturation of The Hearing House. His leadership has not only strengthened our programmes but has also laid a solid foundation for the future. I am deeply grateful for his tireless efforts and the enduring impact he has made on our organisation.
"Thank you, Paul, for your invaluable service, support, mentorship and dedication."
Our new chair, David Cameron-Brown, brings great commercial and strategic acumen to the role, and I look forward to continuing the life-changing work
Artwork by Bev Hickson-Snook
CONNECTIONS WITH OUR COMMUNITIES
WELCOME TO
THE HEARING HOUSE VAN
This year, we proudly realised the vision of our founders, Sir Pat Moore and Phil Ryall, with the launch of our first mobile hearing clinic.
In August, The Hearing House van was officially blessed at a special ceremony led by Tom Irvine and Robbie Paora of Nga¯ti Wha¯tua Ora¯kei with a gathering of friends and supporters of The Hearing House.
The exterior of the van features a stunning ta¯ moko design by renowned Maori artist Graham Tipene (Nga¯ ti Wha¯ tua, Nga¯ ti Kahu, Nga¯ ti Hine, Nga¯ ti Haua, Nga¯ ti Manu) from Te Wheke Moko Design Studio.
This specially adapted vehicle will significantly expand our ability to serve communities, offering hearing assessments, screenings, and consultations with audiologists and speech-language therapists. Our goal is to increase awareness about the importance of hearing health and the life-changing benefits of cochlear implants.
Historically, our ability to reach certain communities was limited by a lack of available outpatient space in hospitals and health clinics. The introduction of the mobile clinic removes this barrier, allowing us to provide flexible, accessible services directly to the communities that need them most.
The van will travel across a wide range of locations from Cape Reinga to Taupo, including schools, Ko Taku Reo units, sports grounds and marae as part of our education and outreach efforts. We also hope to offer screening and assessment services at family festivals, concerts, and other community events, bringing hearing health services to people where they are.
We are excited about the opportunities this mobile clinic brings and remain deeply committed to improving access to vital services for our kiritaki, their wha¯ nau, and the wider community.
Special thanks to our supporters and funders, including the Punchestown Trust, the Hugo Charitable Trust, the Lindsay Foundation, Trillian Trust, ANZ New Zealand Staff Foundation, NR and JH Thomson Charitable Trust, Quota Papakura, Rotorua Trust, Maurice Paykel Charitable Trust, Trust Waikato and Hearing House
The blessing of The Hearing House van
HENRY FINDS HIS GLOBAL VOICE
In July, eleven-year-old Henry Optican embarked on his first trip to Australia, joining his family in Canberra to represent The Hearing House at the Power of Speech event in the Australian Parliament.
The event, organised by First Voice, brings together international organisations that provide listening and spoken language early intervention services for children who are hard of hearing. A key focus of The Power of Speech forum is to challenge the perceptions of policymakers about what children who are Deaf/deaf or hard of hearing can achieve.
As part of the event, children with cochlear implants from First Voice organisations across New Zealand and Australia were invited to address MPs, policymakers, and government officials on the theme The Power of My Hearing Support Team
Their speeches highlighted how early intervention, support and cochlear implants have empowered them to reach their full potential. The event not only celebrated their inspiring words but also the possibilities and life choices available to them.
The speeches are a testament to the work of First Voice organisations in breaking barriers and unlocking
Henry, a Year 7 student at Kowhai Intermediate School in Auckland, wrote his own address for The Power of Speech and added a touch of humour that charmed the audience. Here's a brief extract from his speech:
"The reason I’m able to speak to all of you today is because of my cochlear implants. These life-changing pieces of tech have helped so many people around the world lead good and noisy lives. If I had been born 100 years ago, I wouldn’t be able to hear anything— from my own footsteps to my parents talking, to an audience clapping— which hopefully all of you will be once I finish this speech!"
Henry was diagnosed with sensorineural hearing loss at birth and received bi-lateral cochlear implants before his third birthday. He has also been diagnosed with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder.
Henry credits The Hearing House's support and training for helping him become a confident speaker. Thanks to the encouragement and skills he received, he was able to deliver a successful four-minute speech in front of a large audience without fear—an incredible achievement for a young person of his age.
Claire Campbell (Henry's mother), Claire Green, Henry Optican, Scott Optican (Henry's father), Samantha Optican (Henry's sister)
Henry Optican speaking at the Power of Speech event in Canberra
CONNECTIONS WITH OUR KIRITAKI
PEPPA PIG AND HER ‘MAGIC EAR’ TWO OF HOLLY'S
FAVOURITE THINGS
Four-year-old Holly Duncan-Owens is a bit of a daredevil, according to her dad Cameron, but streaming Peppa Pig audiobooks to her cochlear implant would have to be one of her all-time favourite things.
The first indication that there may be some differences with Holly's hearing was identified during her newborn hearing screening, and a subsequent MRI revealed that she had Pendred Syndrome, a genetic condition that affects the normal functioning of the inner ear.
As a result, she wore hearing aids from the age of eight months but the hearing in her right ear continued to diminish over time. She had her cochlear implant fitted in May 2023 when she was two-and-a-half years old.
Despite her young age, Cameron says Holly took it all in her stride and adapted to wearing her device straight away.
“She soon knew she needed her new "magic ear" to help her hear even better, quickly learning to pop the coil back on her head and ask for her cochlear implant in the morning,” says Cameron.
Cameron and his husband didn’t previously know of anyone who was hard of hearing, which is why he says the input from The Hearing House has been invaluable on their cochlear implant journey.
“It was a whole new world to us and a really steep learning curve, but at every step of the way The Hearing House team has been there for both Holly and us as her parents.”
“In the early stages in particular, they really helped to allay our worries about the future and how being implanted would impact Holly.
“Our implanted kids are superheroes,” says Cameron. “They can do anything they want, and The Hearing House team has only helped us to realise that more.”
Holly attends the regular First Signs playgroup run by The Hearing House and Deaf Aotearoa where all activities are conducted in NZSL.
Holly and Cameron Duncan-Owens
MAKING OUR CLIENTS FEEL SUPPORTED, WELCOMED AND INFORMED
Our annual client satisfaction survey drew praise from our kiritaki for our friendly, supportive and holistic approach.
Kiritaki from Northland, Auckland, Waikato, and the Bay of Plenty were surveyed as part of the annual poll, with nearly 100% of adult clients saying they were happy with the service they received from The Hearing House, and more than half of those saying their expectations were exceeded.
Kiritaki praised the team for their professionalism, expertise, approachability and compassion, with one respondent saying that it was the best interaction with any type of health service that they’d ever experienced.
Some clients indicated concerns around the lack of funding to access to what they say is an essential and life-changing service, while others wanted more outreach clinics to overcome transportation and accessibility issues.
Parents of younger clients were also universally complementary about the service extended to their children and wider wha¯ nau, with 93% saying they were happy with the listening and language therapy their child had been given in the past year, up from 75% a year before.
Parents said The Hearing House gave them practical ideas, information and advice, and provided a familyoriented, welcoming and supportive service. Some said it was more like going to visit family than a clinic.
Our Hearing House kiritaki
“We’ve been with The Hearing House since our child was born. It’s like a second home and the service is exceptional.”
“Each person I dealt with was so understanding and really wanting to help. They kept in touch with me via email so you knew exactly what was happening and what to expect. I can’t speak any higher of everyone I had contact with - top marks.”
“The Hearing House couldn’t have a better name. You feel like it’s home. The journey of discovering that your child is the first deaf person that you met, it’s not easy. But with The Hearing House team, not only was hearing and speech looked after but also everything else around it. You guys go far and above any expectations. Thank you.”
“I have always experienced excellent service from Hearing House. The staff and their professionalism provide an exemplary experience.”
“The staff are all very professional, diligent, friendly and supportive. It can be very upsetting for parents to learn that their child is deafespecially at the beginning of the journey, but everyone we’ve met at The Hearing House is wonderful!”
“Staff are approachable, friendly, helpful, knowledgeable, and provide holistic care.”
GROWING UP WITH THE HEARING HOUSE
Violet and Nathan Zheng are two of our kiritaki – they first came to us as young children when they’d just received their cochlear implants and are now both excelling at university and in their careers. It’s stories like theirs that make us so committed to what we do –making a meaningful difference to the lives of our kiritaki. We’re so proud of you, Violet and Nathan!
Here's Violet's story: “I have exciting news regarding my brother and me.
“In December 2023, Nathan received a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBChB) offer for 2024, so he got into first-year entry for Med School!
“As for me, I graduated from university on the same day. I passed my National Midwifery exam so I’m now a registered midwife!
“My family and I would like to thank you for all the support you’ve given us and for ensuring that our needs are met (including our annual cochlear implant check-up and speech-language therapy) over the years.
“Nathan and I came to The Hearing House when we were three and five years old, and now here we are, studying at university and getting into our careers.
“We’re beyond grateful and appreciative for all the work that The Hearing House does to limit barriers and give us the opportunities to flourish in society, just like everyone else.”
Nathan and Violet Zheng
Artwork by Bev Hickson-Snook
MUSIC IS A HAPPY PLACE FOR ME TO BE
Te Atatu-based Kathy Thomas has been singing since she was 18 years old. She had been plagued by a series of health issues before then, including a cholesteatoma (a collection of skin cells deep inside the ear) which was caused by a chronic ear infection and led to a decline in her hearing, as well as Turner syndrome which can often lead to osteoporosis.
Around the time of her daughter Helen Rose’s birth 15 years ago, she developed a severe cold which led to further deterioration in her hearing and the onset of post-natal depression. The addition of hearing aids and three further surgeries gave her some degree of hearing, but she would often have setbacks.
Music became her solace and her happy place.
Kathy, who’s a self-taught singer, has sung in bands and at venues in West Auckland and throughout New Zealand since she was a teenager, with one of her career highlights being singing alongside 80’s band, Ardijah
She entered the Get Mad on the Mic karaoke contest, staged by Hapai te Hauora Tapui (Maori Public Health), with support from the Mental Health Foundation. She then went on to record a te reo Maori karaoke album a few years later.
Two years ago, Kathy was an extra on the TV series, Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, and has featured as a vocalist on a range of TV commercials, including the DB Export I’m Drinking it for You ad in 2019 and Meridian Energy in 2022.
“Music has been my stress release and my go-to,” she says.
It wasn’t until she received cochlear implants that she could really start to connect with her hearing.
“It’s been the most amazing thing,” she says. “Receiving my implants is just the beginning of my journey to access sound – I know I have a way to go, but it’s a journey I’m so happy to take.
“This is a whole different way of hearing but I’m thankful that the implants have helped me process sound - and hear better.
“I’ve always had my music to keep me grounded, but now I’m finally able to embrace sound in a way that makes me feel good.”
Kathy Thomas
LOUD SHIRT DAY 2024
Loud Shirt Day is the national fundraising appeal we stage annually with the Southern Cochlear Implant Programme (SCIP) as a way of raising awareness of those Kiwis who use cochlear implants to access sound.
For the past 20 years, we’ve been providing specialised care to more than 2,600 adults and children who access sound and spoken language with cochlear implants. Funds raised through Loud Shirt Day ensure we can continue to provide listening and spoken language therapy to all those who need it.
FELLOW NORTH SHORE PUPILS SHOW LOUD SUPPORT FOR DANIEL
Staff and students at Belmont Intermediate School on Auckland’s North Shore dressed up in their brightest shirts to celebrate Loud Shirt Day this year.
Year 7 student Daniel Zheng had his cochlear implants fitted when he was just 10 months old, after newborn hearing tests revealed a bilateral sensorineural hearing loss.
He has been under the specialised care of The Hearing House team for the past 10 years.
“We couldn’t have done it without the care and dedication of The Hearing House team,” says his mum, Christina.
In celebration of Loud Shirt Day, Kiwis throughout the country are encouraged to dress up in their brightest outfits and hold fundraising events at workplaces, community centres, homes and schools.
As charities, we rely on fundraising and donations to bridge the shortfall in the public funding we receive to provide unique services and programmes to our clients, including outreach clinics and the Cochlear Implant Repair Fund, and to help cover our operating costs.
“Receiving cochlear implants is just the start of the journey – it’s the ongoing support that really makes a difference."
Christina Zheng, Shaun Zheng, Victor Zheng, Nick Hill (Belmont Intermediate School principal), Daniel Zheng
The Hearing House team getting loud
CONNECTIONS WITH OUR
PARTNERS
Our partnerships with organisations such as Deaf Aotearoa, University of Auckland, Ko Taku Reo, First Voice and the Painga Project showcase how together we have found ways to successfully collaborate on projects and initiatives that have a shared goal.
These opportunities not only allow our teams to connect with and learn from one another, but also highlight the rich and rewarding potential that strong partnerships create.
DEAF AOTEAROA
Deaf Aotearoa is a national organisation representing the voice of Deaf people, and the national service provider for Deaf people in New Zealand.
The relationship between Deaf Aotearoa and The Hearing House continues to grow and strengthen. The Hearing House has been partnering with Deaf Aotearoa to promote a bi-modal communication environment, offering NZSL services and support for families. This includes the First Signs playgroup, which provides opportunities for children to learn NZSL and engage with Deaf role models. Recently, the partnership expanded to include Youth TOGETHER – Saturdays, events aimed at enhancing communication skills among young people.
The collaboration aims to empower clients to make informed choices and foster a deeper understanding of Deaf culture, benefiting both the organisation and the community.
Deaf Aotearoa’s Manager for Children and Youth, Natasha Cloete, is based at The Hearing House for three days each week, and our teams continues to co-host regular playgroups with families of Deaf children from Auckland. This model of collaboration is rare in the disability sector and our CEO Claire Green co-presented with Deaf Aotearoa CEO Lachlan Keating at the NZDSN conference during the year, showcasing the initiatives our teams have jointly worked on.
FIRST VOICE GROUP
First Voice is a long-standing consortium of international organisations that provide listening and spoken language early intervention services for children who are deaf or hard of hearing. Member organisations exist in Australia, the UK, South Africa and New Zealand.
The Hearing House is one of the founding members and together, First Voice has created practices that lead the world in listening and spoken language therapies for children who are deaf or hard of hearing.
It was recently recognised that cochlear implant programmes in some jurisdictions of Australia lacked the continuity of specialised care that leads to good outcomes for young children who use cochlear implants.
First Voice chair Mark Fitzpatrick recognised The Hearing House as a centre that is a showcase model for collaborative care.
“The Hearing House’s strong connection with the acute sector, and its integrative practices with specialised listening and spoken language practitioners and implant audiologists have provided a model of practice that has been recommended for adoption in various parts of the world.”
The Hearing House is valued for contributing to First Voice and also benefits from the shared resources and recognition the consortium provides.
KO TAKU REO DEAF EDUCATION NEW ZEALAND
Ko Taku Reo Deaf Education New Zealand is New Zealand’s provider of education for Deaf and Hard of Hearing children.
The Hearing House works closely with Ko Taku Reo on training and support programmes for students and joint initiatives focused on improving outcomes for students and whanau. We also work with them on providing our paediatric audiological professional support, regionally, to provide services to many Deaf and Hard of Hearing people with cochlear implants.
The Hearing House is a trusted and collaborative partner, and whenever possible our team embraces new ideas and innovative approaches to our work. We have proudly supported Ko Taku Reo, with our audiologists regularly visiting the kaimahi at the Ko Taku Reo provision at Ormiston School in South Auckland.
UNIVERSITY OF AUCKLAND
In addition to providing University of Auckland Audiology and Speech Therapy training programmes with the opportunities for their students to participate in clinical practice, The Hearing House has deepened relationships over the past year by integrating and extending some of our clinical services with student research projects.
Vestibular disorders are not uncommon among cochlear implant candidates and recipients, and it has been recognised that pre and post operative assessments can aid in counselling and decision-making for cochlear implant candidates.
A patient questionnaire regarding the clinical characteristics of vestibular disorders was developed by cochlear implant surgeon Tanja Jelicic and further critiqued and modified by The Hearing House team.
This questionnaire is now used to document any vestibular or balance problems an individual may experience. Alongside this, a referral relationship was established with the University of Auckland Audiology clinic to undergo vestibular assessment for any cochlear implant candidates tagged by this questionnaire. This collaborative effort provides training opportunities for University of Auckland students and has been the topic of one Master of Audiology thesis (Nina Boesch) for 2023-24. This new service builds on The Hearing House’s commitment to providing the delivery of best practice clinical care.
A second example is a continuation of the Internet NZ-funded study on increasing internet access for cochlear implant recipients. One master’s student (Gina Peters) worked closely with The Hearing House team to organise and deliver a series of technology support and training workshops for our adult kiritaki. Her early findings provide evidence of the benefits of social networking and learning opportunities for our clients.
PAINGA PROJECT
Painga, meaning 'well-being,' is at the heart of the Painga Project, which is dedicated to supporting the health and well-being of students, families, and communities in low-decile primary and intermediate schools across South Auckland. A key initiative is hearing and vision screening, with follow-up support for these schools. The Hearing House has been a vital partner since the project’s inception, helping with the hearing screening and we continue to support its efforts as the Painga Project’s capacity, reach, and impact grow.
The collaboration has increased University of Auckland student training experiences of testing tamariki in South Auckland, made possible by the engagement of Hearing House staff who provide supervision for the screening sessions. To date, more than 1,170 South Auckland students have had hearing screening completed with The Hearing House’s advisement and support.
CONNECTIONS THROUGH OUR CARE
FAMILY CENTRED CARE AT THE HEARING HOUSE
At The Hearing House, our commitment to early intervention and support is at the core of our philosophy, ensuring we provide comprehensive, family-centred care for tamariki and their whanau.
Our connected care model integrates key services, including specialist audiology, speech-language therapy, and rehabilitation, all of which are vital in helping our clients live their best lives.
Independent reviews of cochlear implant programmes in Australia have underscored the critical need for consistent, coordinated wraparound care for children receiving cochlear implants. These reviews have highlighted long-standing concerns, raised by parents and independent audiologists, regarding issues with implant programming.
Improper programming has been linked to hearing and developmental delays in children, further emphasising the importance of comprehensive, ongoing support for those undergoing such treatments.
Unlike adult cochlear implant recipients who typically have previous experience with hearing and have a well-developed base for language and listening, children require a higher level of clinical management from
Here are the foundational principles of our philosophies and practices at The Hearing House:
• The Hearing House’s approach to early intervention reflects the advancements in hearing technology and the growing need to deliver effective services to children from diverse cultural and developmental backgrounds across a wide geographical area. While the 2013 International Consensus Statement remains a key guiding framework, we have further enhanced our practices by incorporating co-treatment models and expanding our offerings to include wha nau support and counselling services. These additions strengthen our commitment to providing holistic care for tamariki and their families.
• Co-treating involves meeting with families as a team, so information shared does not have to be repeated multiple times by the wha nau, and everyone can have a part in sharing information, decision making and care planning. It allows for continuity of care and ensures that the child is the focus of the intervention. Each professional - whether it is the audiologist, the speech therapist, or the counsellor - has a unique role in working with the family to seek their input and participation in goal setting. Through co-treating we can stay connected and aware of the child’s needs and progress. We can support each other in our roles while working collaboratively within our main scopes of practice.
With a family or wha nau-centred focus on the family, parents are essential to each child’s success, and we partner with them to understand their values and goals for their child’s future.
We recognise that children are unique – we offer a variety of flexible and creative approaches to learn what a child responds to and how to turn that into success.
We focus on meaningful communication.
We offer Listening and Spoken Language therapy, listening support for alternative communication modes and welcome New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) and bilingual/bicultural approaches when needed or requested by wha nau.
Our Hearing House kiritaki
CONNECTING THROUGH SUPPORT
Hazel Benson-Dawe, our Hearing House counsellor, uses Te Whare Tapa Wha as a health model in her counselling, which describes health and wellbeing as a wharenui or meeting house with four walls. These walls represent taha wairua or spiritual wellbeing, taha hinengaro or mental and emotional wellbeing, taha tinana or physical wellbeing and taha wha nau or family and social wellbeing. Our connection with the whenua or land, forms the foundation. Hazel and the team co-ordinates various support groups and connect sessions with kiritaki and their wha nau, helping bring them together in a relaxed and informal setting to share concerns, experiences and learnings.
We have also introduced a confidential texting service for kiritaki this year, as a convenient and accessible way
Hazel Benson-Dawe
Artwork by Bev Hickson-Snook
CONNECTIONS THROUGH OUR RESEARCH
UNDERSTANDING THE EXPERIENCES OF PARENTS
Hearing House Audiologist Nick Jones, a graduate of The University of Canterbury, completed a thesis on Parent Experiences and Perspectives on Children’s Cochlear Implant Processes and Support Services for his Master of Audiology.
His research focused on understanding the experiences of parents navigating the cochlear implant process in Aotearoa New Zealand, identifying gaps in support and areas for improvement.
A survey of over 40 parents of children with cochlear implants revealed that while parents strongly believed cochlear implants were crucial for their children’s communication, social, and educational development, they also faced significant concerns.
Parents expressed anxiety over the success of the surgery and its long-term impact on their child’s quality of life, education, and future employment. The findings emphasised the need for better communication, emotional support, and clearer information to guide parents through the process.
Nick’s study also highlighted the vital role parents play in the cochlear implant journey. Their involvement is key to improving speech and language outcomes, with early intervention and ongoing support services shown to be crucial for a child’s success.
Nick’s personal story also underscores the importance of early intervention. Born with profound hearing loss in the early 1990s, Nick’s deafness went undetected until he was 17 months old, despite his strong responsiveness to expressions. It wasn’t until his grandfather noticed, that Nick’s deafness was identified.
Nick’s mother, Barbara, began learning New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) to support his communication early on, and the family’s strong support network, including The Hearing House, was integral to his success in learning to communicate orally.
Nick credits his family and community for his achievements, saying, “I wouldn’t be the person I am today without the help and support from my whole wha nau and the wider community.”
THE MARKED DIFFERENCE SUCH A SMALL DEVICE CAN BRING IS ASTOUNDING
Steve Liu, a recent graduate from the University of Auckland’s Audiology Programme, collected and analysed data on cochlear implant candidacy for adults for his thesis on potential barriers to adult cochlear implant referral and uptake in Aotearoa New Zealand, and ways to improve it.
His research evaluated the policy and population health side of cochlear implants, and helped him understand the implications of the services The Hearing House offers. It also gave him a greater awareness of the need to advocate for improving the outcomes of our kiritaki and those people who may need our services in the future.
Steve first studied a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Auckland, majoring in physiology. Neuroscience was of particular interest to him, as he discovered how the human brain was capable of almost unlimited potential.
After completing his degree, he worked for a year before rekindling his love for medical science and enrolling in the Master of Audiology at the University of Auckland.
“My exposure to cochlear implants through the master’s programme greatly influenced my decision to pursue further education and development in this area,” he says.
“I was intrigued by cochlear implants because I was amazed by their ability to simulate human hearing. Although it’s not a perfect replacement, the marked difference such a small device can bring is astounding.”
MAKING GLOBAL STRIDES IN AWARENESS OF CMV PREVENTION
Our Clinical Director Holly Teagle spent an extended period of research and study leave in the United States this year - her primary focus being to investigate the delivery of cytomegalovirus (CMV) screening programmes there.
CMV is the leading cause of non-genetic hearing loss in children and is the root cause of hearing loss and other developmental delays in some of The Hearing House tamariki, or young people.
The Hearing House continues to be engaged in the CMV Aotearoa Working Group which has held three forums in the past year. This working group is a grassroots effort to increase awareness about CMV prevention and the need for holistic support of children and their wha nau. Holly has been working with groups in and outside of New Zealand and hopes to expand research opportunities that could lead to meaningful change in CMV screening and early intervention in this country.
Steve Liu
Holly Teagle
OUR TEAM
Associate Professor Holly
Teagle Clinical Director
Eilidh Gill Audiologist
Caroline Selvaratham Audiologist, Adult Team Leader
Cathy Nottingham Clinical Administrator
Chris Lawson Speech Language Therapist
Derek Hadfield Audiologist
Bronwyn Bailey Speech Language Therapist/ Rehabilitationist
Aishwarya Suresh (Aishu) Kumar Speech Language Therapist
Briana Putnam Audiologist
Ash Arrowsmith Fundraising
Gracie Adams Speech Language Therapist
Dr Claire Green Chief Executive
Janine Smith Speech Language Therapist
Jo Weaver Speech Language Therapist
Joe Chandler Speech Language Therapist
Hazel Benson-Dawe Whanau/Family Support
Marcela Magelhaes Inventory Administrator
Latasi Koro Audiologist
Nick Jones Audiologist
Renique Williams Speech Language Therapist
Rachel Maloy Speech Language Therapist
Robyn Moriarty Audiologist, Young Peoples Team Lead
Sara Finnegan Clinical Administrator
Information and Systems Lead
Warren Smith Finance
Tara Barr Clinical Administration Team Lead
Megan Levi Paediatric Clinical Coordinator
Kate Dobbin Communications
Michele Verrall Finance
Nathan Lowe Audiologist
Lauren Taylor Communications
Lisa Notley Receptionist
Renee Orams Audiologist
Rebecca Moore Speech Language Therapist
Silvia Rosioru
TRUSTS, FOUNDATIONS AND DONORS
Generosity from the following trusts, foundations and donors enabled us to continue to deliver our life-changing programmes and services, and to meet our general operating costs:
• Accent Group NZ Ltd
• ANZ New Zealand Staff Foundation
• Anne Simmons
• Bollard Charitable Trust
• Dragon Community Trust
• DV Bryant Trust Board
• Fay Jewell
• Foundation North
• Four Winds Foundation
• Freight on Board
• Gemzoo Ltd
• Git Jing Helen Cheung
• Hearing House Heroes
• Hugo Charitable Trust
• JC & PR Ross
• King's School Auckland
• Lindsay Foundation
• Lion Foundation
• Maurice Paykel Charitable Trust
• Milestone Foundation
• NR and JH Thomson Charitable Trust
• Pauline Levie
• Punchestown Trust
• Quota Papakura
• Rotorua Trust
• The Trusts Community Foundation
• Trillian Trust
• Trust Waikato
• T & R Shaw Trust
Supporters:
• Simpson Grierson
FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE
Group Income and Expenditure Statement for Cochlear Implant Foundation & Hearing House Services Limited. For the year ended 30 June 2024
Cochlear Implant Trust (Government Contract)
Group Balance Sheet for Cochlear Implant Foundation & Hearing House Services Limited. As at 30 June 2024
SUPPORT THE WORK WE DO THERE ARE MANY WAYS YOU CAN
Donate
There are several ways you can donate to The Hearing House.
Online: www.hearinghouse.co.nz
Post: Send your donation to The Hearing House, PO Box 74-022, Greenlane, Auckland 1546
Please include your contact details so we can send you a donation receipt.
Internet Banking: You can make a payment online directly into our bank account: ASB 12-3055-0201946-000.
Please include your name as reference. Please email us on reception@hearinghouse.co.nz if you would like a donation receipt.
Become a Hearing House Hero
We depend on supporters like you to give on a regular basis throughout the year. Donating by automatic payment is easy to set up and can be cancelled at any time. It also helps to keep our costs low, while spreading your gift over time.
To become a Hearing House Hero, go to our website and following instructions. https://www.hearinghouse. co.nz/hearing-house-heroes
Leave a gift in your will
We would be very grateful if you would consider leaving a gift for The Hearing House in your will. For a confidential conversation about this, please contact us at fundraising@hearinghouse.co.nz
Volunteer
We are always looking out for volunteers to lend a helping hand. We’d love to hear from you if you would like to help us make a difference.
Donate your used equipment
You can donate your old hearing aids or spare cochlear implant equipment to those who cannot afford them otherwise.
Many of our kiritaki struggle to stay on air because of the cost of replacement parts. Your used equipment can help transform health and quality of life for a person in need who couldn’t otherwise afford their hearing equipment.
You can help by:
Dropping in old equipment to us at The Hearing House, 251 Campbell Road, Greenlane, Auckland 1061.
Contact us on: 09-579-2333/ 0800-2-LISTEN/ 0800-254-783 or email reception@hearinghouse.co.nz We can arrange to pick up the old equipment.
Published by
The Hearing House 251 Campbell Road Greenlane Auckland 1061 reception@hearinghouse.co.nz www.hearinghouse.co.nz
Phone: 09-579-2333 or 0800-2-LISTEN/ 0800-254-783
© The Hearing House 2024
