The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital (Eye and Ear) and GV Health are proud to announce a new partnership that will deliver a rural cochlear implant surgical service, marking a significant step forward in improving hearing health access for regional Victorians.

Under the new partnership, GV Health is the first regional public health service in Victoria to offer cochlear implant surgeries outside of metropolitan Melbourne.

Cochlear implant surgery is a specialised procedure that provides life-changing hearing support for individuals with severe hearing loss who no longer benefit from hearing aids. The surgery involves placing a small electronic device under the skin behind the ear and inserting electrodes into the inner ear (cochlea), allowing sound signals to bypass damaged parts of the inner ear and be transmitted directly to the hearing nerve.

Previously, the majority of patients needed to travel to Melbourne to receive this surgery.

“This partnership with The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital is an important milestone for GV Health and for our region,” said GV Health Chief Executive Matt Sharp.

“Patients in the Goulburn Valley and across regional Victoria now have enhanced access to cochlear implant surgery at a regional centre, bringing timely and high-quality care closer to home. This milestone highlights how collaboration is driving greater health equity and improved outcomes for regional Victorians.”

Mr Sharp also acknowledged the significant contribution of GV Health’s and the Eye and Ear’s clinical staff and operational teams for bringing the service to the Goulburn Valley following two years of hard work.

The partnership complements the Eye and Ear’s Victorian Cochlear Implant Program (VCIP), a state-wide initiative that provides education and ongoing mentoring enabling audiologists across Victoria to better identify, inform and refer patients for cochlear implants.

VCIP clinics follow a multidisciplinary pathway for evaluation and recommendation, ensuring patients receive consistent, high-quality care regardless of location.

“This collaboration reflects our commitment to equitable healthcare access and innovation,” said Eye and Ear CEO Brendon Gardner.

“By working with GV Health, we’re extending the reach of our Cochlear Implant Clinic and supporting regional communities with world-class hearing solutions.”

For more information and referrals, please visit the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital website.