Sue began experiencing hearing loss in the early 1990s. Living regionally and raising six children, she relied on hearing aids until they were no longer effective. With her hearing reduced significantly, Sue was referred to Amplify Hearing Diagnostics in Wangaratta, where she first learned about cochlear implants at The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital.
“The biggest concern was ” what if it doesn’t work” and “fear of the unknown”. The fact that we would have to travel to Melbourne was also very scary as we are genuine country people,” Sue recalled.
Fortunately for Sue, a new regional partnership between the Eye and Ear and Goulburn Valley Health through the Victorian Cochlear Implant Program (VCIP) changed everything.
VCIP, a collaborative care initiative, governed by the Eye and Ear, supports audiologists and ear, nose and throat specialists in local communities, to work directly with adults considering cochlear implantation and those who have received one.
In August last year, Sue became the first patient to receive a cochlear implant under the new partnership, with surgeon Dr Richard Kennedy, senior otolaryngologist at the Eye and Ear, performing the procedure.
Dr Kennedy, has a long-standing relationship with Shepparton, travelling there regularly to provide specialist ENT care to the community.
“I’ve been coming up to Shepparton for 25 years…for a lot of patients, the biggest barrier towards them getting help is actually coming to Melbourne,” he explains.
“This barrier really has been broken down through the VCIP which has really helped people to actually get cochlear implants, but even more so if they’re able to have surgery up here.”
Sue is incredibly grateful to Dr Kennedy, for his wonderful care and support throughout the process, which was made easier knowing she could have the surgery closer to home.
“Sue has been a champion of all this…she was hesitant about getting it done, but because we were able to do it [in Shepparton], she was less nervous. And when she has it switched on, it was amazing. Possibly the most amazing switch on I’ve heard about,” said Dr Kennedy.
The VCIP helps people across Victoria access cochlear implant care closer to home, while remaining connected to specialist expertise. All referrals are sent to VCIP at the Eye and Ear Hospital, where a specialist multidisciplinary team reviews each case. Surgical decisions and care plans are made and endorsed by this team, with input from local providers, to ensure consistent, high quality care for every patient, no matter where they live.
For Sue, her cochlear implant journey has had life changing results. Thanks to her being able to access care closer to home, she can now answer telephone calls and talk to her children on the phone, something she hasn’t been able to do in a long time.
When reflecting on her journey, Sue’s advice to others experiencing hearing loss is:
“Don’t hesitate to explore this option – it can be life changing.”
If you or a loved one are experiencing hearing loss, Sue’s story shows that help, and reconnection, may be closer than you think. Request more information about cochlear implants by filling in this form.
