New Program in Japan Enhances Hearing for Children

A new A$6.5 million joint program by Shizuoka city and the Australian government aims to improve hearing capabilities in hearing-impaired children in Japan. The Shepherd Centre will train local experts, using Cochlear Ltd. implants, to replicate Australia's success in cochlear implantation.

In a significant collaboration, the city of Shizuoka and the Australian government have launched a A$6.5 million program to help hearing-impaired children in Japan. The initiative will see The Shepherd Centre, an Australian not-for-profit organization, train experts at Shizuoka Prefecture Hospital over a span of three years.

Japan currently has one of the lowest adoption rates of hearing aids and implants among developed countries. This program aims to lower the threshold and age for cochlear implants, potentially replicating Australia's success where over 90% of eligible children receive implants.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong praised the program as a testament to the collaborative potential between the two nations, as it comes after a decade of discussions. The new arrangements signal a promising future for addressing early hearing loss in Japan.