The investment will support two leading not-for-profit organisations, The Shepherd Centre and NextSense, which partner with NSW Health through the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network and John Hunter Children’s Hospital to provide essential care before and after cochlear implant surgery.
The funding will ensure children with hearing loss continue to receive services that are critical to helping them develop communication skills and reach important developmental milestones.
These include the initial activation, or “switch-on”, of the implant, ongoing programming and monitoring of devices, speech and language support, social development programs and family education services.
Health Minister Ryan Park said early diagnosis and surgery were only the beginning of the journey for children receiving cochlear implants.
“Children need specialist support before and after implantation to learn how to interpret sound and fully benefit from this remarkable technology,” Mr Park said.
The investment complements the Statewide Infant Screening Hearing Program (SWISH), which screens every newborn in NSW for hearing loss. Since the program began in 2002, more than two million babies have been tested, enabling early diagnosis and referral to specialist services.
NextSense President David Dinte AM said Australia was a global leader in cochlear implant technology, but long-term outcomes depended on quality support after surgery.
“When combined with high-quality early intervention, children can achieve incredible outcomes and require fewer hearing supports later in life,” he said.
The Shepherd Centre Chief Executive Officer Dr Aleisha Davis described the funding as a landmark investment that provides certainty for families.
“Cochlear implants can provide access to sound, but specialist care before and after surgery is what helps children develop communication skills and confidence,” Dr Davis said.
The funding forms part of the NSW Government’s record $10.3B increase in health spending over four years, aimed at expanding services and improving health outcomes across the state.
