Nearly one hundred more deaf and hearing impaired Victorians will receive a life-changing cochlear implant this year thanks to a funding boost from the Andrews Labor Government.
As part of Hearing Awareness Week, Minister for Health, Jill Hennessy, today visited the Cochlear Care Centre, a service partnership between the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital and Cochlear, to announce the Hospital will receive close to $83 million in funding this financial year.
This is $7.8 million – or 10.4 per cent – more than the Eye and Ear Hospital received last year.
As part of this funding boost, the number of cochlear implantations performed will almost double, giving nearly one hundred Victorians who currently can’t hear the chance to hear and be heard.
Hearing Awareness Week (21-27 August), raises awareness of the needs of people who are deaf or hearing impaired and encourages people of all ages to seek professional help rather than let hearing loss go untreated.
Joining today’s celebration was bionic ear inventor and pioneer Professor Graeme Clark AC and Cochlear implant recipients Lily King and Michael Banbury, highlighting how people’s lives have been transformed by cutting edge Cochlear technology.
Lily was diagnosed with a hearing loss early in life, and received bilateral cochlear implants when she was nine months old. Thanks to this incredible technology, Lily will now be starting prep at a mainstream school next year.
Michael struggled with longstanding hearing loss that deteriorated over many years, making it extremely difficult for him to do his job and communicate with staff. Michael received his first Cochlear implant in 2012, and a second in 2014, allowing him to continue and enjoy his work as a manager.
The week is also an important time to recognise the amazing work of Victoria’s world-leading medical researchers, scientists and clinicians who are helping to restore hearing at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital and the Cochlear Care Centre.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Jill Hennessy
“Our funding boost for the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital means more people who are deaf or hearing impaired can receive a life-changing cochlear implant.”
“Patients like Lily and Michael are proof of the extraordinary difference cochlear implant technology has made to people’s lives and their ability to hear and communicate with their families, friends, colleagues and communities.”
Quotes attributable to General Manager Australia and New Zealand Cochlear Limited Shaun Hand
“Cochlear would like to thank the Victorian Government for their continued support. Our enduring partnership in Victoria means we can continue to help more Victorians hear and be heard and live a full life.”
"This announcement means more people can enjoy the benefits of strong hearing. Since Professor Graeme Clark's invention of the cochlear implant in Melbourne over 30 years ago, Cochlear continues to proudly partner with the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, taking thousands of Australians from silence to sound."
Reviewed 19 August 2020