In the 2026 New Year's Honours, Emeritus Professor David Kemp has been made a CBE for services to auditory sciences and public health, and chair of Deafblind UK Robert Nolan was awarded OBE for services to people living with deafblindness. 
Professor Kemp (above) of the UCL Ear Institute is widely known for his discovery of otoacoustic emissions - sounds emitted by the healthy inner ear. When the inner ear is damaged, the production of these sounds ceases. His work led to new, practical techniques for measuring hearing and the first NHS screening programme in 50 years for hearing in newborn babies. He also founded the company Otodynamics, which makes equipment to diagnose hearing defects.
Professor Kemp said: “This work involved many people and research groups – it was much bigger than my efforts. The aim was to stop kids born with bad hearing from being handicapped by not hearing and learning their language in their early years. Parents’ suspicions were ignored by doctors until they should have started to talk at 2-3 years and didn’t – this was too late. The answer was a test of hearing quick enough to give to every baby at birth – made possible by otoacoustic emissions.The ear is an amazing bit of bio-machinery and research goes on to uncover the mystery of how it works. I provided a missing piece of the jigsaw, but there are still lots of missing pieces to find. 
Deafblind UK chair Robert Nolan (above) is deafblind himself and lives with Type 2 Usher Syndrome. He built a 35-year international career with Shell Exploration and Production, leading the company’s European Subsurface and Wells Support Team and travelling the world. An endurance athlete and committed fundraiser, he has run multiple marathons, completed major tandem cycling challenges. He has volunteered with Deafblind UK for more than 26 years and has also previously served as chair of Deafblind Scotland for 18 years.
The honour recognises decades of tireless advocacy, leadership and lived-experience campaigning to ensure that people living with both sight and hearing loss are better understood, better supported and able to live full, independent lives. Deafblind UK says Robert’s award shines a welcome spotlight not only on his personal contribution, but on a community that is too often overlooked.
“I am deeply honoured and very proud to receive this award” says Robert. “I have always believed that deafblind people should be visible, heard and represented, including in leadership roles. Whether through my career or volunteering I have tried to challenge assumptions and highlight what people living with deafblindness can do, rather than what they may not be able to. With that in mind I see this honour as a celebration not only of my contribution but of the talent and resilience that is found in the deafblind community as whole.
“With the centenary of Deafblind UK approaching in 2028, I am also mindful that there is much more to do to improve awareness and opportunities, and I hope this recognition helps open doors for greater understanding and inclusion.”
