Wellington, Nov 25 NZPA - A grant of $340,000 has been awarded to Canterbury University's Department of Communication Disorders for research into preventing hearing loss during ear surgery.

The grant was made by the Oticon Foundation, a charitable trust working to improve the lives of hearing-impaired New Zealanders.

Oticon Foundation chairman Tim Olphert said the organisation believed the proposed research was so important internationally, it would provide $340,000 to fund a three-year project.

The funding would help establish a world-leading centre for intra-operative audiological research in Christchurch, Mr Olphert said.

Its research would benefit a large number of people undergoing otologic surgery annually -- around 60 people in Christchurch alone, with thousands more worldwide.

The grant would be awarded at a function in Christchurch tonight.

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