Victoria’s first regional cochlear implant surgery at GV Health

“This service will change lives across regional Victoria, bringing world-class hearing care closer to home and strengthening our public health system for the future,” she said.

Previously, all public cochlear implant surgery in Victoria was performed in Melbourne at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital.

Now, the hospital has partnered with GV Health to offer this procedure right in the heart of Shepparton.

Cochlear implants bypass damaged parts of the inner ear, helping people with severe hearing loss who no longer benefit from traditional hearing aids.

Wangaratta resident Sue Kleinert was the first patient to undergo the surgery at GV Health.

After having only 20 per cent hearing with a hearing aid for the past decade, she described the cochlear implants as truly “life-changing”.

“The main thing was not being able to speak with my husband in my own home, not being able to have a conversation, and missing my children’s voices so much,” she said, her voice tinged with emotion.

The tears held back.

Then a message from Mrs Kleinert’s daughter was shared with her: I can’t believe I’ve got my mother back. I didn’t even realise I’d lost her over the last 10 years, and I’ve got her back.

And the tears flowed.

“We’ve got six kids, and it’s probably the same for all of them,” Mrs Kleinert said.

“Even going to family events, I couldn’t talk to them.

“We’ve got 10 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and I have not been able to speak to my great-grandchildren.”

Mrs Kleinert now hopes others across Shepparton and surrounding communities — those who have gone without because the drive to Melbourne was too far, too difficult, or simply not possible — can have the same transformative experience.

“I hope that other people have their success ... it’s such a gift,” she said.