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