Our Whakapapa
Established in 1932 by a group of citizens concerned to provide services to people with hearing problems, we were originally called the League for the Hard of Hearing. We subsequently became the Auckland branch of the Hearing Association, then the Hearing Association (Auckland) Inc. and now we are the Tāmaki Makaurau Hearing Trust. For the last decade we’ve also been known as Hearing Auckland. More details of our history are available here
Our Kaupapa
Throughout our history we’ve remained rooted to the principal that all people with hearing needs should have access to affordable, appropriate and effective services.
We Do This By
- Providing advice about hearing, hearing aids and hearing therapy
- Providing hearing assessment services, ear wax removal (micro-suction) hearing aid fitting and hearing therapy services.
- Remaining a not for profit charity that provides free services for qualifying people
- Discovering and implementing ways to improve equitable access to hearing services for all New Zealanders
Hearing Auckland charges for professional services at typical commercial rates. Our prices are very competitive, but they may not be the cheapest. When you pay for our services you not only get unbiased assessments and advice from professionals, but also you support us to provide charitable services including our Pathfinder programme. In today’s vernacular, you pay it forward for services we give to someone less able to pay. Our clients’ support is essential to enable our charitable works and we appreciate your support.
Hearing Auckland also receives financial support from a number of organisations, from benefactors and from members of the Hearing Association. If you’re interested in proving support for us through a bequest or a donation please see here
Organisations recently supporting our works include:
Hearing Auckland began as The New Zealand League for the Hard of Hearing, which was founded in 1932 by Kathleen Hurd-Wood (nee Chitty). Kathleen had no children and, after her husband’s death in 1924, had personal and financial independence that was unusual for a woman of her generation. Kathleen decided to devote her life to helping people with hearing loss. When she began her campaign in the 1920s ear trumpets were still in use and, although hearing aids were becoming available, they were not affordable for many people. The government’s lipreading classes for adults were limited and, not surprisingly, the hard of hearing were often described as withdrawn, or living in semi-isolation.
In 1926 Kathleen trained as a lipreading teacher and offered free classes in Hamilton. She soon realised that there was a need for a national organisation and she canvassed tirelessly for this. She was a persuasive public speaker and gained widespread public support.
On 16 March 1932 the New Zealand League for the Hard of Hearing was established, with headquarters in Auckland. The league began lip-reading classes in May 1932 with 17 members; within a year there were 77.
The League also gave advice about buying and using hearing aids, conducted hearing tests (15 years before the opening of the first audiology clinic in a public hospital) and arranged events for members whose social life was often severely limited by their disability. Moreover, it put the needs of the hard of hearing to the government, and through publicity worked to improve understanding of hearing loss in the community The League for the Hard of Hearing changed name to become the Hearing Association and branches were established throughout New Zealand.
On her death, Kathleen donated her house at 8 St Vincent Avenue to us to ensure that her work could continue. Subsequently many of the people who use our services also contribute to our ongoing work by donations, bequests or by paying for our services.
Today, Hearing Auckland continues Kathleen’s and the New Zealand League for the Hard of Hearing work. Modern hearing aid and cochlea implant technology have virtually removed the need for lip reading classes, but we continue the advocacy and education that Kathleen started. We continue to give impartial advice about buying and using hearing aids. We provide hearing services and support to people with hearing loss, their whanau and families- because hearing loss not only affects the individual, but also affects those close to them.