Lay summary
Hearing impairment is a significant disability affecting an estimated 538 million people worldwide, with 80% of these thought to be in developing countries. Pacific people are among the disadvantaged hearing impaired, experiencing high levels of unmet needs and poor access to hearing services. The New Zealand Health Research Strategy 2017-2027 identifies an urgent need for excellent health research that results in equitable outcomes for Pacific people in New Zealand and across the Pacific region and meets their needs and expectations. Such research is crucial given the concerns about the large differences in the hearing health between different population groups and access to services. This cross-sectional epidemiological study will be conducted with approximately 300 participants aged 13 years and over from the Samoan and Tokelauan population in New Zealand and in Samoa and Tokelau. Our research will deliver outcomes that increase health equity and improve health and disability systems and services.