Reviving Hope: NextSense Alstonville Centre Emerges as the New Hub for Hearing Services in Northern Rivers Region Following 2022 Flood

August 4th marked a signifcant milestone in the Northern Rivers region’s journey towards recovery and resilience as NextSense proudly inaugurates its Alstonville centre. This state-of-the-art facility replaces the organization’s Lismore centre, tragically lost to the devastating foods of 2022.

“For over two decades, NextSense has been a steadfast pillar of support, serving the Northern Rivers community and its environs. The Alstonville centre now stands as the sole provider of cochlear implant services and early intervention programs for both children and adults grappling with hearing loss in the region.”

- Chris Rehn, Chief

Executive

of NextSense.

“The consequences of last year’s food disaster continue to resonate, with countless tales of hardship throughout the region. While the loss of our Lismore centre was a heavy blow, our story is one of unity and tenacity. We are immensely privileged to have swiftly found a new home within this resilient community. Our local team remains dedicated to crafting personalized care programs for each client.” -

Chris Rehn.

“This would not have been possible without the support of our generous donors, including the Parramore Family and JLDJS Foundation, and the NextSense Board. Support from our partners was also critical. Hearing Australia, for example, provided us with offce space to keep some services running as we found a new home.” -

Chris Rehn.

NextSense has been a vital lifeline for the community, providing indispensable hearing care services that contribute signifcantly to improving the health, communication, and social well-being of the region’s residents. In Australia, hearing loss is one of the most prevalent disabilities, impacting approximately 3.6 million individuals. By 2060, this number is projected to double to more than 7.8 million people, underscoring the importance of sustained commitment to accessible hearing services.

Additionally, this reopening brings an added beneft to the region in the form of enhanced access to comprehensive hearing healthcare through a collaboration with prominent ear surgeon, Dr. Joshua Jervis-Bardy.

Dr. Jervis-Bardy now shares facilities with NextSense in Alstonville, ensuring seamless coordination with nearby healthcare institutions such as Lismore Base Hospital and St. Vincent’s Lismore. Services offered include early intervention for children, pre-surgery assessments, and postsurgery rehabilitation for both children and adults.

“Hearing loss can have profound effects on an individual’s quality of life, including social isolation, anxiety, depression, and even an increased risk of dementia. It is crucial that everyone has access to high-quality hearing services, encompassing audiology, outpatient ENT services, and access to ENT surgery.” - Dr. Joshua Jervis-Bardy, an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) surgeon.

“While treatment options are available, people often wait 10 years or more before they reach out for help with their hearing loss. Hearing loss can be linked with social isolation and loneliness, anxiety and depression and is the biggest modifable risk for dementia in middle age.” - Dr. Joshua Jervis-Bardy.

Chris Rehn acknowledged the pivotal role played by generous contributors in making this reopening possible:

“Our heartfelt thanks go out to our generous donors, including the Parramore Family and JLDJS Foundation, and the unwavering support of the NextSense Board. Support from our partners was also critical. Hearing Australia, for example, provided us with offce space to ensure continuous service delivery during our transition to a new home.”

Key Statistics:

• One in six Australian adults experiences hearing loss, a number predicted to double by 2060.

• One in three Australians over the age of 65 grapple with hearing loss.

• Hearing loss affects more Australians than diabetes or asthma.

• Individuals often wait a decade or more before seeking assistance for their hearing loss.

• Two-thirds of people with hearing loss go untreated, with fewer than 10% of eligible adults considering cochlear implants.

• Hearing loss is correlated with social isolation, loneliness, anxiety, and depression, and ranks as the foremost modifable risk for dementia in middle age.