World Hearing Day Q&A with Professor Grant Searchfield, lead guest editor of JRSNZ special issue on hearing and balance

The special issue of the Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand coincides with World Hearing Day. How does this collection of research contribute to raising awareness of hearing and balance health in Aotearoa New Zealand?

This year’s World Hearing Day theme is 'Changing mindsets: empower yourself to make ear and hearing care a reality for all!'. The research in this issue describes how hearing and balance play a vital role in our daily lives and why we should give higher priority to these senses.  It highlights what we know about hearing and hearing disorders in New Zealand and how the country benefits by applying new clinical methods. Hopefully this will empower communities to advocate for improved services.

Can you briefly tell us about the key themes that have emerged from the research featured in this special issue, and explain their significance?

We identified seven overlapping themes of: Fundamental science, vestibular disorders, tinnitus, cochlear implants, service delivery of paediatric audiology, kaupapa Māori and Pasifika hearing research, and perspectives of the future.  The research illustrates how different hearing disorders can have a huge impact on wellbeing and the innovative ways being tested to manage these problems.  Reviews in the issue highlight the impact that New Zealand research has had internationally and areas where we lead the world.

The Eisdell Moore Centre (EMC) has played a significant role in advancing hearing and balance research in New Zealand. How has the EMC helped shape the research landscape in this field?

There was great hearing research happening in New Zealand before the EMC was formed in 2017, but with the support of the Hearing Research Foundation, the EMC has been able to bring researchers from around the country together with common goals.  Together we have been able to grow research opportunities for new researchers and sow the seeds for the next generation of research leaders.  Shared visions and collaboration are essential to achieve lasting impact.

Many of the studies in this special issue highlight equity and access to hearing healthcare, particularly in relation to kaupapa Māori and Pasifika communities. What are some of the key challenges and solutions discussed in the research?

The special issue stands out in its representation of Māori and Pasifika research. It’s possible that there are more articles addressing hearing health in these communities in this one special issue than the total ever published before. The research found that despite advances in treatments and technology, Māori and Pacific communities are often left behind, and their perspectives not canvased or ignored. Hopefully this burst of research is a signal that we have turned a corner in recognising inequity in hearing health and are doing something about it.

After putting together this special issue, what do you hope researchers can discover more about? Is there a particular area that needs more light?

With every answer to a question many more emerge. Everyone is different, the next big challenges in hearing health may be understanding individual differences in hearing disorders and how the environment we grow up in shapes our listening abilities.

As a guest editor, how was your experience working with the Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand on this special issue? Would you encourage others to take on the role?

As a team of guest editors, we felt we had some great stories to tell. We had an exceptional response to our call for papers with many people remarking what a wonderful opportunity it was to showcase the nations hearing and balance research in one place. A special issue in the Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand is a great vehicle for presenting breadth of research around a common theme.  The support from the journal and publishing team has been top notch. 

What advice would you give to researchers considering submitting their work to the Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand?

The journal has a rigorous but fair peer reviewing policy, quality editorial support and strong reputation to uphold. It is a great option for publication of quality science, particularly for research addressing issues that are important to Kiwis.

Tinnitus and vestibular disorders are also key areas covered in this issue. What are some of the latest developments in understanding and treating these conditions?

Vestibular (balance) dysfunction is associated with a variety of changes in the brain including areas responsible for spatial memory. That means impaired vestibular function may contribute to cognitive deficits as we age.

New Zealand is an international hotspot for tinnitus research. We have learnt that tinnitus loudness is created by the brain misinterpreting activity in the auditory system and then recruiting brain regions associated with attention and annoyance. Measuring and then changing brain activity is a shared interest of many of New Zealand’s tinnitus research community. New therapies have been developed and trialled in New Zealand, with some becoming available in clinics.

What would you like policymakers and healthcare providers to take away from the findings in this special issue?

Good hearing health is essential to healthy aging generally. Investment in hearing services would pay dividends in better education outcomes, fewer sick days, reduced falls and greater productivity.  The research in the special issue shows how much New Zealand has contributed to understanding hearing and balance.  Using the homegrown advances in understanding of balance, hearing and hearing disorders are important for effective hearing health delivery in New Zealand.

Image: University of Auckland