Māori knowledge and cultural values being introduced into audiology research could contribute to mainstream hearing health services. Researchers carried out a hearing screening with 34 participants, offering options for community-based screenings at places such as marae, and following other cultural protocols such as seeking consent for touching tapu parts of the body like the head. The hearing test, which used audio of numbers in te reo Māori, was made more accessible regardless of language level by adding bilingual instructions and a list of the numbers. The study authors say their approach is a positive step towards addressing a lack of hearing assessment materials in te reo Māori, and that it could be a way for audiology services to explore culturally appropriate assessments in partnership with Māori.
