Eisdell Moore become a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre

The Eisdell Moore Centre (EMC) at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland, has officially been designated a World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Ear and Hearing Care.

The accreditation recognises EMC’s longstanding collaboration with WHO and its leadership in addressing hearing loss and ear disease – conditions that affect more than 430 million people worldwide and remain under-prioritised in many health systems.

For EMC, the status is more than symbolic; it signals a commitment to building sustainable services and reducing inequities, particularly across the Pacific region.

“This accreditation means we are part of a global network working to improve hearing health outcomes,” says Professor Peter Thorne, director of the Collaborating Centre. “It’s not just about research – it’s about translating knowledge into action, especially for communities where hearing loss is common and services are limited.”

Why it matters

Hearing loss is often described as an “invisible handicap,” yet its impact on education, employment and social connectedness is profound. EMC’s previous work with WHO includes developing evidence-based tools and training manuals, contributing to the World Report on Hearing, and creating intervention guidelines for conditions such as congenital hearing loss and middle ear disease.

“These resources mean communities don’t have to start from scratch - they have access to proven strategies for advocacy, diagnosis and interventions,” says Thorne.

Focus on the Pacific

The accreditation strengthens EMC’s ability to advocate for Pacific needs at the global level and to lead initiatives that build local capacity. Current projects, conducted in close partnership with Pacific clinicians and researchers, include a consortium with WHO and the Fred Hollows Foundation to screen children in Pacific Island countries for hearing problems, provide hearing aids, and develop a skilled workforce.

“What this means for the Pacific is the development of sustainable services in an area that has been underserved,” says Professor Thorne. “It’s about creating Pacific-led solutions and connecting expertise from New Zealand with partners across the region.”

Dr Elizabeth Holt, deputy director of the Collaborating Centre has worked extensively in Pacific health and emphasises the broader vision: “This is about equity. Hearing health interventions must be culturally responsive and accessible. Our partnerships across the Pacific will be central to achieving that.”

WHO Collaborating Centre status opens doors for interdisciplinary collaboration – spanning education, rehabilitation and disability advocacy - and for Pacific communities in Aotearoa to connect with projects in their home islands.

“We want our communities to know this work is for them - and with them,” says Thorne. “It’s about maintaining social connectedness and the ability to communicate, which is fundamental to health and well-being.”