Hearing Australia and Macquarie University collaborate to transform hearing health

Hearing Australia and Macquarie University today announced an expansion of their Collaborative Agreement to advance hearing health.

The Agreement, which commenced in 2010, sets out how the two renowned organisations will work together on activities such as education, hearing research, professional training and community engagement.

“Macquarie University aims to transform hearing health in Australia and around the world with a unique combination of research, education and clinical expertise,” says Professor David Wilkinson, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Engagement), Macquarie University.

“Hearing Australia is the nation’s largest provider of government-funded hearing services and supported some 275,000 clients in 2018-19. Its research division, the National Acoustic Laboratories, is internationally recognised for its research into hearing loss and innovation in hearing technology solutions.

“Our renewed partnership will strengthen the impact of both parties in the community through improved interactions around hearing research, training, clinical education, outreach and public policy,” says Professor Wilkinson.

Hearing research

Working relationships between researchers at the National Acoustic Laboratories (NAL) and Macquarie University will be strengthened under the Collaborative Agreement in order to deliver world leading research into hearing loss. This research partnership will continue NAL’s over 70 year legacy of research and innovation in hearing health, and will expand opportunities for developing new insights and tools to help all people with hearing difficulties.

Teaching and education

The new arrangements will also see Hearing Australia working more closely with Macquarie University to enhance clinical training opportunities within the University’s Master of Clinical Audiology program. This includes improving graduate readiness, developing opportunities for tele-supervision, designing a targeted regional workforce program, and providing sponsored student awards.

Macquarie students will also have the opportunity to receive real-life, on the job experience with Hearing Australia, a world leader in the hearing health sector.

“The expanded partnership will support new graduates in achieving clinical excellence in their audiology practice. It will also encourage current students to fulfil their potential through a range of scholarships, internships and a targeted regional workforce program,” says Professor Wilkinson.

Further initiatives

Macquarie University and Hearing Australia will also undertake ongoing discussions to identify further opportunities to improve the delivery of hearing health initiatives. Activities focused on improving healthcare and hearing programs, in addition to clinical studies regarding new and emerging hearing technologies, will be assessed.

Discussions will also focus on raising community awareness of key state and national healthcare campaigns, such as Hearing Awareness Week, World Hearing Day and World Mental Health Day.

“We are delighted to strengthen our collaboration with Macquarie University and expand what both organisations can achieve to help more Australians celebrate the sounds they love,” says Mr Kim Terrell, Managing Director, Hearing Australia.

“At Hearing Australia, we have a clear purpose to provide world leading research and hearing services for the wellbeing of all Australians. We also want to focus on preventing hearing loss from happening in the first place.

“This Agreement will help both organisations make a real difference to the lives of people with hearing loss, their families and the broader community,” adds Mr Terrell.

A significant addition to the Agreement is the transfer of intellectual property (IP) from NAL to Macquarie University. This will allow for the continuation of research into a variety of highly specific diagnostic tests for hearing loss by Macquarie University researchers.

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About Hearing Australia

For over 70 years, Hearing Australia has been helping Australians rediscover the joy of sound. Its mission is to provide world leading research and hearing services for the wellbeing of all Australians. Hearing Australia operates in over 600 locations across Australia and is the nation’s largest provider of government-funded hearing services for children, young adults up to 26, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, pensioners and veterans.

About Macquarie University

Established in 1964, Macquarie University is distinctive, progressive, and transformational within the higher education sector. Macquarie University is consistently ranked in the top one per cent of universities in the world (QS World University Rankings, 2019). Our research is leading the way in ground-breaking discoveries. Our academics are at the forefront of innovation and, as accomplished researchers, we are embracing the opportunity to tackle the big issues of our time.