Professor Graeme Clark wins global award for lifelong work helping people to hear

Professor Graeme Clark AC has received a prestigious award in Beijing from Rehabilitation International, a global disability advocacy group, for inventing the multi-channel cochlear implant, which has transformed the lives of hundreds of thousands worldwide.

Professor Clark's ground-breaking research has earned him a coveted place among the 100 esteemed recipients to be recognised at the Rehabilitation International Centennial award ceremony in Beijing (20 May 2023).

The award recognises individuals and organisations who have made outstanding contributions to, or had profound impact on, the equal participation and inclusive development of persons with disabilities.

“I have spent my life trying to help deaf people hear and now that our work is being recognised globally, I would like to see the benefits reach all in need,” Professor Clark said.

The Award marks an extraordinary year of recognition for Professor Clark, who was recently awarded an Honorary Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) at a presentation at the University of Melbourne.

Presently one in five people experience hearing loss around the world (1.5 billion) and hearing loss is the third largest cause of years lived with disability globally. Professor Clark and his dedicated team's breakthrough discovery, which involves multi-channel electrical stimulation of auditory brain pathways, has transformed the lives of hundreds of thousands of people in over 100 countries.

The University of Melbourne's Graeme Clark Institute for Biomedical Engineering, led by Professor David Nisbet, alongside the research and development team at the cochlear implant manufacturer Cochlear Ltd, are actively engaged in critical research aimed at enhancing rehabilitation for disabilities.

"The Graeme Clark Institute for Biomedical Engineering,  in collaboration with Cochlear, has translated this remarkable research into industrial development, providing hope for individuals with severe to profound hearing loss," Professor Nisbet said.

"Furthermore, this pioneering research is paving the way for advancements in vision restoration for the blind, spinal cord functionality for paraplegics, and the management of drug-resistant epilepsy."

Dig Howitt, Chief Executive Officer and President at Cochlear, said the company is thrilled that Professor Clark has been recognised on the world stage for inventing the multi-channel cochlear implant.

"This has helped hundreds of thousands of people around the world connect with life’s opportunities and Cochlear is working hard to raise awareness so more adults and children can access the latest generation of hearing implants,” Mr Howitt said.

"This ongoing commitment to innovation and advancement in the field is underscored by Cochlear’s substantial investment of over $2 billion to date in R&D, ultimately providing cutting-edge products and services to individuals living with hearing loss and their healthcare professionals."

Rehabilitation International, a global not-for-profit organisation established in 1922, works towards empowering individuals with disabilities and fostering their acceptance in society. Representing 100 member countries, the organisation addresses the needs of over one billion people, constituting 15 per cent of the world's population.

The Centennial Anniversary Award is a testament to Professor Clark's exceptional dedication to rehabilitation, recognising his transformative research in the field.

Health technologies

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Minh Nguyen

nguyen.m@unimelb.edu.au