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 state government.
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 - up $7.8 million – or 10.4 per cent from last year.
The increased funding will allow the number of cochlear implantations performed to almost double.
Making the announcement during Hearing Awareness Week (August 21-27) Ms Hennessy said: “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."
Hearing Awareness Week 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.