Innovation grant to bring hearing services closer to regional communities

A Sunshine Coast company providing specialist hearing health services will receive Queensland Government funding to develop an innovative audiology service, accessible to rural and remote patients.  

Minister for Innovation, Science and the Digital Economy and Minister for Small Business Leeanne Enoch said Hear Check would partner with The University of Queensland (UQ) to undertake the project.

Hear Check is one of 22 businesses from around the state offered grants under the Advance Queensland Knowledge Transfer Partnerships program.

A total of $1.16 million has been awarded in the first round of the program, with more than $930,000 going directly to businesses and the remainder shared by universities for mentoring and coordination of the partnerships

Ms Enoch said UQ graduates and Hear Check will work within the Mountain Creek clinic to help establish a telehealth audiology service in a regional location that will provide clients with hearing assessments, and supply and fit hearing aids as required.  

“The project aims to deliver better access to hearing health services for children and adults outside metropolitan areas, while providing the company with a competitive edge, increasing its market share and establishing it as a world leader in its field,” Ms Enoch said.

“It will also inform public policy around telemedicine and telehealth techniques in audiology, through the use of information and communication technologies to provide clinical care from a distance.

“The work will ultimately lead to the delivery of a viable world-first telehealth solution for the sector, previously limited by the technology and compatible equipment available.”

Dr Tegan Keogh, Hear Check’s Director and Principal Audiologist, said the grant would have a significant effect on the capacity of their business, allowing them to deliver a highly innovative service to more Queenslanders.

“For us, it’s a remarkable and unique opportunity to work closely with The University of Queensland and its finest Masters of Audiology graduates on a project that will really improve the lives of people who have very limited access to an audiologist and hearing care,” Dr Keogh said. 

Ms Enoch said the Advance Queensland Knowledge Transfer Partnerships program is a great example of how the Queensland Government is working to create jobs through science and innovation, and supporting businesses to develop new products and services.

“The Palaszczuk Government’s Advance Queensland initiative provides opportunities to share knowledge, skills and ideas across sectors to foster collaboration, inspire innovation and create jobs,” Ms Enoch said.

“The Knowledge Transfer Partnerships program offers grants of up to $50,000 to small to medium enterprises to employ a university graduate who can bring new ideas and technologies to projects designed to grow the business.”

The Australian Council of Learned Academies, in its Translating research for economic and social benefit report, recommended other states, territories and the Federal Government adopt a model similar to the Advance Queensland Knowledge Transfer Partnerships program.

For further information about the Knowledge Transfer Partnerships program or to apply for funding visit the Advance Queensland website.

Media contact: Daniel Lato 0438 830 201