29 February 2012
Inaugural New Zealand Hearing Hero announced
The National Foundation for the Deaf is delighted to announce that the inaugural Hearing Hero Award has been awarded to
Professor Peter Thorne CNZM, PhD.
“We have established this annual recognition award to recognise people who have made an outstanding contribution to the
deaf and hearing impaired sector,” says Louise Carroll, CEO of The National Foundation for the Deaf.
“Peter has worked extensively in these sectors and has helped to improve the lives of so many people with hearing loss.
I cannot think of a more deserving recipient for this award.”
Professor Thorne has contributed substantially to the hearing impaired community, serving as the Chair of the NFD
Council and on the Board of the Deafness Research Foundation. He was also one of the lead advocates for the
establishment of a nationwide newborn hearing screening programme which began in 2007.
He has also held senior positions in the University of Auckland including Head of both the School of Medical Sciences
and School of Population Health. He is currently a Professor at the Audiology Department and is the associate director
of the University of Auckland’s Centre for Brain Research. He led the establishment of the Section of Audiology at the
University of Auckland and audiology professional training through the establishment of the Master of Audiology degree.
He is also on the Board of the Auckland Medical Research Foundation and was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of
Merit in 2010 for services to Auditory Neuroscience.
About The National Foundation for the Deaf
The National Foundation for the Deaf is a member group based not-for-profit organisation that works to promote the
interests, advancement, independence and well-being of the over 700,000 deaf and hearing impaired persons in New Zealand
and their families.
We raise public awareness of the health, social, educational, economical, environmental and cultural barriers
encountered by deaf and hearing impaired persons and their families on a daily basis, and aims to break down barriers
for participation for people with hearing loss, whilst encouraging all New Zealanders to protect and preserve their
hearing.
Our vision is an inclusive society in which the importance of hearing and the consequences of hearing loss are
understood and acknowledged – a society that respects the rights of all deaf and hearing impaired people, enabling these
people to actively participate in and contribute to the community, leading an enriching life and communicating to their
fullest potential.
ENDS