A grassroots initiative led by local parents and health advocates is bringing new hope to tamariki in the Cook Islands, with free hearing screenings and increased awareness around Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) set to launch in early June.

Clinics will be held at Dr Puni’s Clinic (behind the Empire Theatre) on Monday 9 and Tuesday 10 June from 3pm to 6pm. The screenings will be conducted by visiting audiologist Chessie Egan from New Zealand, who has previously supported Australian ENT teams in the Cook Islands.

The clinics are the result of a collaborative effort between Rarotonga Home Healthcare (Tarina Moorfield and Maui Daniel), local parents, and community partners working together to improve access to hearing care.

“Having Chessie here helps fill a gap in screening for both children and adults,” said Moorfield of Rarotonga Home Healthcare. “This is about creating better access to early diagnosis, so families can get the support they need without having to travel overseas.”

While traditional hearing tests may show no problem, APD affects how the brain interprets sounds. It’s a hidden condition that often goes undiagnosed, especially in tamariki who seem to hear normally but struggle in noisy classrooms or when given complex verbal instructions.

“Early identification is crucial,” explained Shelley Berry, Inclusive Education Advisor with the Ministry of Education. “APD can have a significant impact on learning, especially in children with ADHD, autism, or language processing challenges. When we understand what’s going on, we can tailor classroom strategies to support them better.”

To help teachers and learning support staff better understand the condition, a professional development session will be held at the Tereora College Auditorium on Thursday 12 June at 3:30pm. Educators are encouraged to RSVP by contacting Shelley at ie.advisor@education.gov.ck.

The initiative began as a conversation between two local parents – Shelley and Freya Proctor – who both recognised the need to address this silent barrier to learning.

“We just wanted to make sure no child slips through the cracks because their needs weren’t recognised,” said Freya. “This initiative is really about empowering our community – bringing together health, education, and whānau to support our tamariki in ways that will have lifelong impact.”

Supported by E Oroma Kia Aka’uru’uru, Rarotonga Home Healthcare, The Edgewater Resort and Spa, and the Ministry of Education, the project also hopes to raise funds for a mobile APD testing kit. This would allow children from the Pa Enua to be assessed remotely through video link with a specialist audiologist.

For Rarotonga Home Healthcare Services, Shelley, and Freya, this is just the beginning of a wider vision to ensure that every child has the chance to thrive, no matter their learning style or neurological profile.

Appointments for the free ear clinics are essential. To book, contact Tarina on 54473 or Maui Daniel on 57638.

• Jaewynn McKay