$16.5 million to turn groundbreaking health research into real-world solutions

The Albanese Government is investing $16.5 million in health and medical research projects to turn concepts into practical solutions that improve care and prevent disease.
 
Through the National Health and Medical Research Council’s Development Grants scheme, 15 projects across Australia will receive funding to accelerate the development of new health products, processes and services. These projects aim to deliver better health outcomes and strengthen the health system.
 
One of the funded projects is Hear Alert, a breakthrough technology designed to help people with cochlear implants maintain their hearing without unnecessary clinic visits.
 
Led by Professor Stephen O’Leary at the University of Melbourne, Hear Alert will deliver the first product to safeguard cochlear health by monitoring implant performance and alerting patients when a clinic visit is truly needed.
 
Hear Alert will continuously monitor the implant’s electrodes for changes that signal a drop in hearing. When intervention is needed, the system triggers a clinic visit.
 
Instead of routine appointments, care will be on demand, saving time, reducing unnecessary visits, and freeing up clinic capacity for more people to access implants.
 
Further information on all projects funded can be downloaded on NHMRC’s outcomes of funding rounds webpage.
 
Quotes attributable to Minister Butler:
“The Albanese Government is investing in health and medical research because it is essential to building a stronger health system and better outcomes for Australians.
 
“This $16.5 million funding round will help researchers turn innovative ideas into real-world solutions that improve care and prevent disease.
 
“Hear Alert is a great example of what this investment delivers - a breakthrough technology that will help people with cochlear implants access care when they need it, reducing unnecessary visits and freeing up clinic capacity.
 
“By backing projects like Hear Alert, we are supporting Australian researchers to drive innovation that benefits patients and strengthens our health system for the future.”
 
Quotes attributable to NHMRC CEO Professor Steve Wesselingh:
“NHMRC’s Development Grants scheme supports a greater culture of research innovation and helps carve out pathways to commercialisation from health and medical research.

“From discovery to real world application, these projects will drive commercial success through effective health and medical research translation to ultimately deliver better health outcomes, faster.

“Congratulations to all successful lead investigators and their teams – I am truly excited for the collective potential these projects hold.”
 
Quotes attributable to Chief Investigator Professor Stephen O'Leary:
“Our vision is that Hear Alert will help both patients and cochlear implant clinics.

“For patients, they will have optimal hearing at all times and will only need to go to the clinic when cochlear implant adjustments are required.

“Clinics will run more efficiently, improving their viability and increasing their capacity.

“With Hear Alert, cochlear implant clinics should have the resources to help more people with hearing impairment.

“With Hear Alert, cochlear implant recipients will have the assurance of knowing that their hearing is optimal, and when it’s not, they’ll be alerted to attend clinic.
“We expect that Hear Alert will save health system resources, save patients’ time, and reduce disruption by avoiding unnecessary clinic visits. Patients will be at the centre of their own care.”