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Transcript - Better Hearing members are Cochlear Hearoes
Published in Better Hearing December 2008
Three Better Hearing Australia members have been recognised for their outstanding contribution to the advancement of hearing health in Australia, receiving an inaugural HEARO Award from Cochlear Limited, the global leader in cochlear and bone conduction implant technology.
The awards coincided with Hearing Awareness Week 2008 and the 30th anniversary of an acclaimed Australian invention - the cochlear implant.
The "HEAROES" are: Kenmore, Queensland resident and our 2008 Darwin Conference co-ordinator Sandra Keir; Upper Sturt, South Australian resident Felicity Bleckly, a Committee member of BHA Adelaide branch and Shortland, NSW, resident Karen Dempsey who is Secretary of Newcastle branch.
The three ladies are all active participants in national and branch activities for Better Hearing Australia.
Sandra Keir
Sandra, bilateral cochlear implant recipient and a key member of the Cochlear Awareness Network (CAN), received the HEARO Award for her tireless efforts in raising awareness of hearing loss and the solutions available to help hearing impaired adults and children connect with the world around them.
"Sandra has made an immense contribution to hearing awareness", said Shaun Hand, General manager Australia and New Zealand, Cochlear. "For many years now Sandra has worked closely with numerous organisations for hearing impaired people in Queensland, determined to educate and raise awareness of modern-day hearing solutions. As a result she is successfully breaking the silence on hearing loss.
"For example, Sandra recently led a production of a DVD for the emergency services in Queensland on how to help and communicate with cochlear implant recipients during emergencies. We are thoroughly proud of her efforts."
Felicity Bleckly
Felicity, a cochlear implant recipient and a key member of the Cochlear Awareness Network (CAN), received the HEARO Award for her tireless efforts in raising awareness of hearing loss and the solutions available to help hearing impaired adults and children connect with the world around them.
"Felicity has made an immense contribution to hearing awareness", says Shaun Hand, General Manager ANZ, Cochlear. "For many years now, Felicity has presented to diverse audiences around South Australian on her personal story and the solutions available for the hearing impaired.
She's appeared in the local media to raise awareness and is now the deafness editor for a leading women's website. We are extremely proud of her achievements."
Karen Dempsey
Karen, a cochlear implant recipient and a key member of the Cochlear Awareness Network (CAN), received the HEARO Award for her tireless efforts in raising awareness of hearing loss and the solutions available to help hearing impaired adults and children connect with the world around them.
'Karen has made an immense contribution to hearing awareness. In particular, her dedication to people embarking on the cochlear implant journey is to be commended," says Shaun Hand, General Manager Australia and New Zealand, Cochlear.
"From initial discussion, to offering pre and post-operative and switch-on support, Karen has proved to be an invaluable resource for the local hearing impaired community."
In 2005, Cochlear acquired the Swedish company Entific Medical Systems. Through this acquisition, Cochlear expanded its hearing solutions portfolio to include the Baha bone conduction implant for conductive e\hearing loss, mixed hearing loss and single sided deafness as well as the Vistafix system for facial prosthetic retention. Baha and cochlear implants are complementary - providing different types of hearing loss. Cochlear continues to be driven by technological innovation and in the F08 invested around 13% of its revenue in research and development. It is also committed to the ongoing development of a range of technologies to bring hearing to more people worldwide. These innovations include developing cochlear implants that combine electrical and acoustic stimulation, for people with low frequency residual hearing, and direct acoustic cochlear stimulation (DACS). Cochlear's promise - Hear now. And always - embodies the company's commitment to providing its recipients with the best possible hearing performance today, and for the rest of their lives. |
About Cochlear Limited - ASH: COH
Established in 1981, Cochlear Ltd is the global leader in cochlear and bone conduction implant technology. Today, Cochlear is a global company with more than 1,900 employees. Over 150,000 people across more than 100 countries experience hearing now as recipients of Cochlear's hearing solutions.
For further information about Cochlear hearing solutions, go to www.cochlear.com.au or call 1800 620 929.