CHS Global Partnerships for Research & Innovation Awards Four Research Grants to Advance Hearing Health and Deaf Studies

TORONTO, CANADA – CHS Global Partnerships for Research & Innovation, a non-profit  organization and strategic global leader in the advancement of research and innovation that  improves the quality of life for Deaf and hard of hearing individuals, is excited to announce that it  has awarded its first four research grants – totaling $400,000 – to institutions leading research that “will break down barriers to participation for Deaf and hard of hearing individuals and their families”.  

The following principal investigators and their host institutions have been awarded with CHS Global Partnerships for Research & Innovation inaugural Research Grants:  

Chizuko Tamaki, AuD, PhD, Gallaudet University 

Marlene Bagatto, AuD, PhD, Western University

Natalia Rohatyn-Martin, PhD, MacEwan University 

Walter Wittich, PhD, Université de Montréal

“Congratulations to our inaugural research grant recipients! We are proud to offer research grants that support the brightest researchers and innovators in the world in their quest to reimagine the future of hearing health and Deaf studies,” said Julia N. Dumanian, President & Chief Executive Officer of Canadian Hearing Services.

“Their critical research, along with their expertise and passion to create impactful change, will help address the multifaceted issues related to hearing loss and Deaf studies, with the ultimate goal of improving quality of life for Deaf and hard of hearing individuals around the world.”

Dr. Poorna Kushalnagar, Dean of Research at Gallaudet University, explains the impact of the research grant to Deaf adults, “Dr. Tamaki’s research has strong potential to improve the quality of life for older Deaf adults experiencing balance problems and who are at risk for falls. She will work to develop linguistically and culturally appropriate tools that will more accurately assess the impact of dizziness and balance difficulties on older Deaf adults, potentially leading to a safer and better quality of life for them. I wholeheartedly congratulate Dr. Tamaki on this award that will allow this important research to reduce health inequities and have a positive impact on our communities.”

ABOUT CHS GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS FOR RESEARCH & INNOVATION RESEARCH GRANTS

In April 2022, CHS Global Partnerships for Research & Innovation launched its inaugural call for proposals for the two-year funding cycle beginning in fall 2022.  They received an overwhelming response from the scientific community, all of which aligned and supported the inaugural Research Areas of Focus, which are as follows:

• HEARING HEALTH: Prevention, identification, assessment, treatment and (re)habilitation of auditory and balance difficulties.
• HEARING SCIENCE: Research activities in the fields of acoustics, neuroscience, and psychology concerning perception of sound.
• DEAF STUDIES: Research activities in the fields of sociology, language, and inclusivity of Deaf individuals.
• QUALITY OF LIFE: Research related to the impacts of being Deaf or hard of hearing as relates to an individual’s ability to participate and enjoy life activities.

For several months, the Grant Review Panel, comprised of 36 established national and global researchers from different areas of the globe including Canada, the United States, the UK and Australia, have been diligently reviewing research funding applications, ensuring that any grant awarded by CHS Global Partnerships supports research of the highest quality and improves the quality of life for Deaf and hard of hearing individuals. The Advisory Council, comprised of senior researchers, acted as observers and strategic advisors to ensure a fair and transparent awards process, making recommendations to the Board of Directors on Full Applications approved for funding.

“Being a part of the advisory council for CHS Global Partnerships for Research & Innovation was a highlight of the year. It was a pleasure to be a part of a new funding initiative in hearing health and Deaf studies. The CHS Global Partnerships team did an exemplary job of setting the program on a solid footing. It was particularly encouraging to see the positive response from the community: the strong slate of funding applications and all of the excellent Canadian and international scientists who stepped up to serve as reviewers. All of this made it a success, with new funding for four quality research programs that will move the science forward in meaningful ways. This is a good news story, and it is just getting started”

–Steve Aiken, PhD, CHS Global Partnerships for Research & Innovation Advisory Council Member

We are very grateful to our Research & Innovation Advisory Council and Grant Review Panel members for voluntarily contributing their time and expertise to this essential task!

View the Research & Innovation Advisory Council here.

View the full list of Grant Review Panel members here.

ABOUT CHS GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS FOR RESEARCH & INNOVATION 

CHS Global Partnerships for Research & Innovation is a non-profit organization and strategic leader in the advancement of research and innovation that improves the quality of life for Deaf and hard of hearing individuals. As the research and innovation arm of Canadian Hearing Services, it supports intellectual inquiry by providing research grants that address multifaceted issues related to hearing loss and facilitates innovative solutions for the sector. 

For more information about CHS Global Partnerships for Research & Innovation, please visit .

Source: CHS Global

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