A call is going out for people needing funding for research and other projects to help with New Zealand's number one disability - hearing impairment - to apply to the Oticon Foundation now.

The Oticon Foundation in New Zealand is seeking applications for funding for projects to help the hearing impaired. The deadline is Wednesday 31 March 2010.

"The Foundation considers proposals large and small. Our main aim is to back research and other projects that increase knowledge about hearing and hearing loss, help remedy hearing loss and break down the stigma of hearing loss," says Karen Pullar, Secretary to the Trustees of the Oticon Foundation.

The Oticon Foundation is a major backer of the Oticon Foundation Hearing Education Centre at the University of Auckland, and is funding a major piece of research into the prevention of hearing loss during ear surgery being conducted by the University of Canterbury.

"The Foundation's support of both Universities is part of our long term commitment to promoting research and dissemination of information about hearing loss," says Ms Pullar. "We are pleased to announce that new audiologist, Kate Jepson has been awarded the Oticon Foundation Audiology Prize for the best Master of Audiology dissertation at the University of Auckland."

Kate's project, supervised by Grant Searchfield, Mike Sanders and Kei Kobayashi, investigated the use of Auditory Training Programmes in the management of tinnitus.

More information about Oticon Foundation grants is available from http://www.oticon.org.nz/soundscapes.htm and how to apply is available from www.oticon.org.nz.

Applications for 2010 Oticon Foundation grants must be in by 31 March 2010. Successful grant recipients will be notified by 30 June 2010.

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.