At Specsavers Audiology, we’re proud to announce our partnership with Australian Lions Hearing Dogs (ALHD) has made exciting progress.

ALHD has provided Hearing Assistance Dogs to hard-of-hearing Australians since 1980. For the past five years, Specsavers Audiology has been sponsoring ALHD to expand their training centre, and we’re thrilled that council planning has now been approved!

When our partnership with ALHD began, there was a two year waiting list for these specially trained dogs. But when the redevelopment is complete, ALHD will more than triple the number of dogs being trained and delivered to people in need.

The centre’s expansion will also give ALHD capacity to grow their various programs including the Bed and Breakfast program. This will enable more volunteers to provide the dogs with care and socialisation outside of their training, essential for their development into assistance dogs.

The alignment of our two brands means continued support for more Australians to thrive.

“The greatest change we've seen in recipients is undoubtedly their confidence,” says David Horne, CEO at ALHD. “It’s heart-warming to hear of those who felt safe only within their homes, now enjoying a fuller and independent life with their Hearing Dog by their side.”

Earnest provides another set of ears for Dawn

Dawn is the latest recipient of a Hearing Dog from ALHD. The Adelaide-based registered nurse has been profoundly Deaf for over 40 years, and has long relied on family for help.

Now she has Earnest to assist – a black labradoodle that Specsavers was proud to have named, finding ‘EARnest’ a perfect fit!

Before Earnest, Dawn found social events overwhelming and began isolating herself. Her family also became concerned when she was home alone, and caring for her grandson. Now, she says “Earnest has changed my life! He’s given me my independence back (and) a newfound confidence in embracing my hearing loss”.

As Lions Hearing Assistance Dogs have full Public Access Rights, they can also go everywhere their recipient goes. And Dawn feels proud to have Earnest at her side.

“Earnest has allowed me to return to completing everyday tasks like food shopping, the gym, medical appointments, social gatherings and looking after my young grandson,” she says. “Earnest alerts me if someone is at the front door or if my phone is ringing. My husband feels at ease now if I’m home by myself – he’s confident Earnest will alert me if there’s ever an emergency.”

Thanks to trained dogs like Earnest, Australians with hearing loss are receiving invaluable support in and out the home. And recipients like Dawn are incredibly thankful.

“I'm so grateful every day for Earnest, and looking forward to the adventures we’ll have together,” she says. “I appreciate the work the Australian Lions Hearing Dogs have poured into training Earnest, and of course a big thank you to Earnest’s sponsor Specsavers.”

We’re proud that with our evolving partnership, more Australians like Dawn will soon get their self-confidence, and themselves back.