Graeme’s Legacy: From Restoring Hearing to Supporting Future Discoveries

Journey to the Cochlear implant

Graeme’s connection to the Bionics Institute began 40 years ago, when he first realised that his hearing was beginning to deteriorate.

“My family and I were down at Merimbula, and my wife said to me one morning ‘my goodness, the cicadas. They’re so loud it’s deafening’. And I said “what cicadas”?

While initially only affecting higher frequencies, Graeme’s hearing loss continued, making work and socialising difficult. “My secretary would knock on my door and come into the office and I’d have my head down working, I wouldn’t hear anything she had said. If I was in a meeting, I’d have to try and place myself in the middle of the room and I’d really struggle to pick up on everything that was being said.”

Despite achieving initial success with hearing aids in 2006, Graeme’s hearing continued to decline, and he decided to make the jump to a Cochlear implant in 2021.

His hearing improved dramatically.

“I could talk to people, could hear my wife” he said. “You notice that your personality changes, you start to become more outgoing, more engaged again.”

“Loss of hearing is an insidious type of problem, because you don’t realise what’s happening” Graeme said.

“You tend to be quiet and don’t say anything, you’re embarrassed to ask a question.”

Leaving a legacy

After learning about the current research led by the Bionics Institute, Graeme decided to leave a gift in his Will.

“It’s so impressive that Australia is a world leader in this sort of area and if I can assist with that process, even in a relatively modest way, I’m happy to do so.”

“I think that people would be awfully impressed to understand what the Bionics Institute is doing. “

Support like Graeme’s ensures the longevity of our research at the Bionics Institute. Our Gift in Will donors create a lasting legacy that fuels discoveries, accelerates breakthroughs, and brings hope to future generations living with chronic conditions and diseases. Their commitment ensures that our scientists can continue their vital work well into the future.

Advice to people considering leaving a Gift in their Will

If you are considering leaving a Gift in your Will, we encourage you to take time to reflect on the values and causes most important to you. Speaking with your loved ones and seeking independent legal advice can help ensure your wishes are clearly documented. Many supporters also choose to let us know about their decision, so we can thank them in their lifetime and keep them connected to the research they are helping to make possible.

If you would like more information about leaving a Gift in your Will, please visit our Gift in Will page or download our legacy pack here