1. Thursday, 17 January 2019
Uptake of hearing-health services among older people of Pacific Island ethnicity in New Zealand
Ravi Reddy
Section of Audiology

3. Older Pasifika Peoples
19% of the population (880,350) had hearing loss in 2016
57% of people aged over 65, compared to 8% aged 15 to 44
Affects communication, social interaction & cognitive decline
Delay of approximately ten years in seeking assistance
Pasifika: low rate of uptake, high rate of not attending appointments
Pasifika population projected to triple in the next 20 years

4. Ecological Model Policy Organisation Community Interpersonal
Individual

5. “Hearing is important for Church, community meetings & family”.
Individual level
Value of hearing
Knowledge about hearing loss
Attitudes
Beliefs
Awareness of services
Acceptance/Denial
“Hearing is important for Church, community meetings & family”.
“I am not seeking help for my hearing because I am seeking ‘Le Atua’ – God”.

6. Interpersonal level
“In our ‘aiga’ (families), it is important to look after our elders”
“There is a big change in the ‘va’ (relationship), between parents and their children”.
Family support

7. Community level
Stigma
Taboo
Language
Cultural consideration
“…Our people are embarrassed & shy to get their hearing tested”.

8. Organisational level
“I was reluctant to seek further help for my hearing loss because I have heard it is really expensive”.
Cost
Location
Role of GP’s

9. Policy level
Model of service
Subsidies
Accessibility
“I think that they do not seek the help because they don’t have transport, or a translator... you know like a help person”
“I believe that doctors should be able to visit people in need, in their homes as well”
“Awareness of services needs to be increased, especially through local radio stations”

10. Conclusion
Multiple level factors - interrelated
Community appropriate awareness
Reorientation of hearing health services
“…some people it’s just that they ‘mo’umo’u nofoa’ [waiting around for too long and end up not doing anything”.

11. Thank you