Media Statement
8 September 2026
The New Zealand Audiological Society (NZAS) says hearing, ear and balance health is being under-recognised in New Zealand's health system and is calling on political parties to commit to coordinated national action across prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation.
NZAS has released its 2026 Pre-Election Manifesto – Hearing, Ear and Balance Health: A National Priority for Aotearoa New Zealand, setting out five priorities for political parties ahead of the election.
NZAS Executive Director Ken Trass says hearing, ear and balance health has traditionally been viewed narrowly through the lens of hearing devices or specialist treatment, despite its significant impact on children’s learning, employment, productivity, independence and social participation.
“There is a disconnect between the impact hearing, ear and balance conditions have on New Zealanders and the attention they receive within health policy,” Trass says.
“These conditions affect people throughout their lives; from a child's ability to learn and participate at school, through to an adult remaining in work and an older person's independence and connection with their community.”
An estimated 880,350 New Zealanders were living with hearing loss in 2016, with its economic and wellbeing cost estimated at $4.9 billion.
Trass says that hearing health needs to be considered as part of a much wider health, education, workforce and wellbeing agenda.
“Earlier and more equitable access to prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation can improve people’s lives while also reducing pressure elsewhere in the health and education systems, and New Zealand’s workforce.”
“For too long, audiology has been seen largely through the lens of hearing aids and devices. That significantly understates the scope of modern audiological care and the range of paediatric services, tinnitus management, vestibular and balance care, auditory processing disorder support, aged care and rehabilitation that the profession provides to the community.”
The NZAS manifesto identifies five policy priorities to achieve better audiological outcomes for New Zealand:
- Make ear, hearing and balance health a national prevention and early intervention priority.
- Improve equitable access to publicly supported services.
- Fund the full scope of audiology care, not just devices.
- Make better use of the audiology workforce to reduce pressure across the health system.
- Build stronger national leadership, data, standards and accountability.
The manifesto also calls for the next Government to develop a national ear, hearing and balance health plan, improve equitable access to assessment and rehabilitation, support integrated community-based care, and invest in the audiology and audiometry workforce.
“At a time when there is enormous pressure on primary and specialist healthcare, it makes sense to use the audiology workforce to its full potential,” Trass says.
“Better integration of the audiology workforce into primary care, community health, paediatric services and aged care can improve access for patients while reducing pressure on GPs and other parts of the health system.”
“NZAS wants to work constructively with all political parties and, ultimately, the next Government to develop a more coordinated approach to hearing, ear and balance health.”
“As the professional body for audiologists and audiometrists we have the clinical expertise, workforce knowledge and professional leadership to help design better services and better outcomes for New Zealanders with hearing, ear and balance issues.”
The manifesto is being provided to political parties and other key health-sector stakeholders ahead of the 2026 General Election and is available here.