Projects to improve the lives of the hearing impaired have received a financial injection, thanks to funding from the Oticon Foundation in New Zealand.

"This week is Deaf Awareness Week and the Oticon Foundation is putting the spotlight on hearing loss and hearing issues by releasing details of funding to help find better solutions for hearing loss," says Karen Pullar, Secretary to the Trustees.

"The Foundation is a crucial source of funding for research, overseas expert visits and other projects that are focussed on improving the lives of the hearing impaired. Without the investment these projects either wouldn't happen or would struggle," says Ms Pullar.

The Oticon Foundation Hearing Education Centre at the University of Auckland continues to run international symposiums on hearing topics such as Tinnitus thanks to the Foundation's ongoing financial support. In addition to its ongoing research work, the Oticon Foundation Hearing Education Centre offers quality seminars for professionals to improve their understanding of hearing issues.

At Canterbury University research is underway to gauge people's reactions to being diagnosed with hearing loss.

"We are confident this research will ultimately help hearing care professionals with their counselling and work with clients," says Ms Pullar.

The wraps have also been taken off the Hear Here information card resource developed by the Hearing Association in conjunction with the Foundation.

"This is grassroots community initiative is already breaking down barriers to hearing loss as the information and the cards are discussed and shared in communities across the country," she says. "The Foundation is proud to have invested in hearing loss related projects for over two decades. Given the tight financial times we know the grants have an important role to play at this time."

More information about the 2009 grants can be found at http://www.oticon.org.nz/pdf/Soundscape_Sept_09.pdf.

The Foundation does not publicly release the total amount of funding invested.

The Oticon Foundation in New Zealand was established in October 1976. It is a charitable trust of Oticon New Zealand Limited and aims to improve the lives of the hearing impaired in New Zealand through communication and knowledge. It is committed to finding better solutions to hearing loss and strives to increase public awareness and understanding of hearing impairment.