Call for equitable hearing healthcare provision: an exploration of Māori adults' perspectives and lived experiences of ear and hearing healthcare services in Te Waipounamu.

Abstract

Māori adults are over-represented in self-reported hearing loss statistics in Aotearoa, yet they are currently underserved in hearing healthcare services that were designed using one-size-fits-all Eurocentric ideologies and models of health and disability. Unassisted hearing loss has been linked to increased rates of depression, social isolation, communication issues, early retirement, and cognitive decline, as well as a decreased ability to engage with cultural practices. An area that requires further research is the exploration of Māori adults' perspectives and experiences of hearing healthcare. This article uses a Kaupapa Māori lens to bring forward Māori narratives and expands on previous research of a te reo Māori hearing screening test. The article shares findings from interviews with Māori adults, exploring both their perspectives and lived experiences of ear and hearing healthcare and te reo hearing assessments. It highlights the barriers that exist for Māori when accessing hearing healthcare in Te Waipounamu (The South Island of Aotearoa) and the desire to see transformative change in the hearing healthcare landscape.