Research giants join forces for hearing impaired in Western Pacific Region
Hearing loss sufferers worldwide will reap the rewards of three globally recognised research brands with Ear Science Institute Australia (ESIA), Āé¶¹Ö±²„ and William Demant Foundation joining forces to establish a āHearing Sciencesā joint venture.
The five-year enterprise in the brain and hearing space will be co-funded by the three participants and will focus on whether early treatment for hearing loss can prevent or slow down dementia, as well as developing new interventions to improve the lives of those with hearing loss.
The joint venture will include the establishment of a Lions Hearing Clinic on Curtinās Perth campus and the allocation of two new Associate Professor roles in ESIA ā an Associate Professor of Brain and Hearing focussing on research into clinical science and surgical interventions and an Associate Professor of Hearing Therapeutics focussing on genetics and hearing.
ESIA CEO Sandra Bellekom said it was exciting to see this ambitious international joint venture linking ESIA and Āé¶¹Ö±²„.
āBoth our clinical and basic research continue to grow and for us Āé¶¹Ö±²„ is an ideal partner,ā Ms Bellekom said.
āWilliam Demant Foundation has a long history of funding research in the brain and hearing space and is excited to be a partner to support our growth to improve hearing health for all.ā
ESIA applied to William Demant Foundation for financial support for work in the brain and hearing space and was successful in receiving a financial commitment of $1.25 million AUD over five years.
The partnership with William Demant Foundation will further provide ESIA and Āé¶¹Ö±²„ with access to applied research expertise in hearing, cognition and signal processing from Oticon and Oticon Medical, an industry leader in hearing loss care and research.
ESIA Chairman John Schaffer said the ultimate aim of the partnership was to develop research which can be translated successfully into improved services for the community ā translating science into tangible outcomes.
āThis new initiative, together with our collaboration withĀ other Western Australian universitiesĀ and our recent success with Royal Perth Hospital Foundation, shows us all joining forces to make WA and the regions around us hearing heroes,ā Mr Schaffer said.
Āé¶¹Ö±²„ Faculty of Health Sciences Pro Vice-Chancellor Archie Clements said Curtinās world-class research capability in medical and health sciences will be enhanced by the close partnership with the ESIA and William Demant Foundation.
āThis joint venture will help us to advance the understanding of the connection between early treatment of hearing loss and the onset and prevention of dementia, building on our goal to establish a national centre of excellence in dementia research,ā Professor Clements said.
āIn collaboration with ESIA, Curtin will also aim to develop new therapies to enhance quality of life for hearing loss sufferers, contributing to our mission to undertake translational research with real-world impact.ā



