NextSense reopens North Coast hearing clinic at Alstonville in partnership with onsite ENT surgeon

A crucial North Coast healthcare service changing the lives of people with hearing loss has reopened after being destroyed in last year’s flooding disasters.

The North Coast’s sole centre supporting people with hearing loss has reopened after being destroyed in last year’s flooding disasters.

NextSense’s work has been described as “life-changing” by those who have benefited.

Chief executive officer Chris Rehn said losing the Lismore facility in early 2022 was a “huge blow”, but it was a “privilege” to be able to reopen at Alstonville, still quite close to both Lismore Base Hospital and St Vincent’s hospital.

NextSense president David Dinte, Ruth Parramore and Caroline Shelton from the Parramore Family Foundation at the reopening of NextSense, Alstonville Plaza.

“We knew that despite our loss, our clients needed us, and in order to help them, we needed somewhere to continue our work,” Mr Rehn said.

The new flood-free location in Alstonville was chosen after an “exhaustive search”.

Mr Rehn said regional Australians deserved quality healthcare close to home.

“It goes without saying that people in regional and rural Australia deserve the same access and standard of care that is available to those in metropolitan areas – that’s why we’re so passionate about maintaining our commitment to care in the Northern Rivers region,” he said.

NextSense services include early intervention, pre-surgery assessment and post-surgery rehabilitation in children and adults.

The organisation works with children and adults who need cochlear implants and deliver vital early speech and language services to youngsters with hearing loss.

The not-for-profit provides more of the implants than any other service in the country.

About 3.6 million Australians live with hearing loss and that number is expected to double by 2060.

Dr Joshua Jervis-Bardy at the opening of NextSense in Alstonville.

Doctor Joshua Jervis-Bardy works with NextSense to treat clients in the region.

“Patients in this area – before NextSense hearing service started in Lismore – would have to be seen in Port Macquarie or Sydney to meet the surgeon, then go to Port Macquarie or Sydney for surgery and then back up here for after-care,” he said.

Dr Jervis-Bardy said it was critical the community has access to relevant services including audiology, outpatient ENT (ear, nose and throat) services and access to surgery.

“This service would not exist without NextSense,” he said.

“Hearing loss can be linked with social isolation and loneliness, anxiety and depression and is the biggest modifiable risk for dementia in middle age.”

Locals welcome the opening of NextSense in Alstonville Plaza.

Susanne Ferguson received a cochlear implant in 2022.

It was implanted at Lismore Base Hospital by Dr Jervis-Bardy.

“Back in 2021 my audiologist suggested my hearing had deteriorated to such an extent that a cochlear implant might be worth considering,” Ms Ferguson said.

Susanne Ferguson had a cochlear implant inserted by Dr Jervis-Bardy at Lismore Base Hospital.

“My cochlear implant was done last year and I have had amazing progress with my hearing, actually life-changing – I can now hear the rain on the roof.”

Lindy Crocker, a former high school music teacher who lost her hearing, said she has been playing piano regularly and began holding lessons again since receiving her implant.

She said music and teaching were “integral to me as a person” and she was “stricken with concerns” about “losing my capacity to engage in music activities”.

Now, Ms Crocker is “teaching handbells and chimes to adults, leading two choirs and teaching ukulele”.

Lindy Crocker is back to teaching music.

“I don’t hide my (cochlear) processors anymore and I readily share with others that I’m a cochlear implant recipient,” she said.

NextSense helps clients through the public and private healthcare systems.

The North Coast centre reopened in Alstonville Plaza on Main Road thanks to the assistance of the Parramore Family, JLDJS Foundation, and the NextSense Board.