Finding a job if you’re deaf can be almost impossible. How do you apply when you need to use a phone and can’t?

As late as the mid-20th century children with a hearing loss were often misdiagnosed and parents were told they had a mental deficiency. Research has found that children must receive stimulation to the auditory nerves during the early formative years.

Sometimes it seems, even in countries like Australia, that only if you have money do you have the right to hear.

Is deafness a disability? If so how is it manifest? and if not why not?

Robyn was deaf from an early age but she became one of the first in NZ to have a Cochlear Implant. When it failed after 15 years she had no hesitation in being remplanted. But when that implant also failed - what was she to do? This is her story.

The benefits and hidden dangers. So much new technology – it’s really quite exciting – but along with the benefits there is also a hidden danger.

Recently, I asked a group of people if they do insure their implant processors and if so how they do it.

Most of us have been subjected to the insensitivity of others because we didn’t hear them speak to us. But what if it is your family?

Hearing loss for Australian Indigenous peoples is a major health issue. It is a disease of poverty, frequently left untreated, with at least 40% of their children affected. Yet, sadly it’s a treatable condition and if treated would give these children a much greater chance in life.

Is hearing loss getting worse? If so who is at risk and why? Does gender, race and education play a part?