Macquarie University and Cochlear have today announced the establishment of the co-funded Cochlear Chair in Hearing and Healthy Ageing at Macquarie University, a role that will strengthen and formalise the strategic collaboration between the organisations.
Cochlear is the global leader in implantable hearing solutions and focuses on technology innovations to treat a range of moderate to profound types of hearing loss. The company has long supported clinically-focused hearing research, audiology education and advocacy in hearing health care.
The Cochlear Chair at Macquarie University will align this focus with the University’s own commitments in hearing research and education, as well as clinical practice and advocacy. The Chair will oversee the implementation of collaborative research and education strategies, with the long-term goal of developing a leading platform for further impactful research in hearing in Australia.
The announcement was made at Cochlear headquarters by Macquarie’s Vice-Chancellor Professor S Bruce Dowton, together with Cochlear’s President Dig Howitt, who was recently announced as Cochlear’s next Chief Executive Officer effective January 3 next year.
“Around 3.6 million Australians are affected by hearing loss, a number that will double by 2060 as the population ages. Macquarie University and Cochlear continue to commit ourselves to addressing that major health priority,” said Professor Dowton.
“Macquarie is home to the Australian Hearing Hub, and Cochlear continues to lead the market with innovative new hearing technologies — together we exemplify the strategic industry-academic engagement called for in the Australian Government’s National Innovation and Science Agenda, and we are in a good position for further impactful research in the hearing space.”
In addition to its commitment to the Cochlear Chair, Cochlear has also committed to provide financial support for the ongoing research activities of the University’s Professor of Hearing, Language & The Brain and Australian Laureate Fellow, Professor David McAlpine.
“Hearing loss is a major public health problem. There is increasing evidence of the importance of hearing to overall health, especially as people age. Developing evidence of the impact of untreated hearing loss on people’s health and the economy, and the effectiveness of treatments, is critical to ensuring hearing loss is treated appropriately. We are proud to sponsor the Cochlear Chair in Hearing and Healthy Ageing at Macquarie and to provide support to Professor McAlpine’s research. Professor McAlpine has already made significant contributions to the fields of audiology and hearing,” said Cochlear President Dig Howitt.
Cochlear moved its purpose-built global headquarters to Macquarie University’s North Ryde campus in 2010, allowing a strategic collaboration to grow in support of research, learning and teaching and advocacy around hearing health. This partnership has only increased in strength and benefit to the hearing health community, particularly with Macquarie’s establishment of the Australian Hearing Hub in 2013, which brings together a variety of research centres and hearing stakeholders.
