Lions Hearing Clinic

What Lions Hearing Clinic does

Lions Hearing Clinics is the clinical services arm of Ear Science Institute Australia, a registered not-for-profit medical research institute incorporated in Western Australia and founded in 2000. The network delivers general audiology services (hearing assessments, hearing aid fitting and management, tinnitus management, micro-suction ear wax removal, and custom ear plugs) through metropolitan clinics in Western Australia (Subiaco headquarters, Bunbury) and New South Wales (Sydney CBD, Bondi Junction, Chatswood, Neutral Bay), as well as remote outreach services to Aboriginal communities in the East Pilbara (Newman, Jigalong, Parnngurr, Punmu, Kunawarritji). Specialist implant services — cochlear, bone conduction, and middle ear implants — are concentrated at the Ear Science Implant Clinic in Subiaco, led by Professor Marcus Atlas AM and Professor Michael Gluth, with the clinic having served 1,400+ implant recipients.

The organisation is differentiated by ownership of proprietary research outputs, including ClearDrum (the world's first silk fibroin prosthetic eardrum, developed with Deakin University's Future Fibres Hub) and the RealSound VR/AR hearing diagnostics platform. Revenue is generated from professional clinical services, hearing aid and device sales, implant services, and charitable donations (notably the Gift of Hearing Appeal, which has raised AUD 24M cumulatively, and corporate grants from BHP and Mineral Resources). Go-to-market combines direct-to-consumer booking, GP/ENT/audiologist referrals, the Commonwealth Hearing Services Program subsidy channel, and digital screening (free online hearing check). The mission-driven, independent positioning — recommendations not tied to any single hearing aid manufacturer and no clinician commissions — is the core commercial differentiator in a market dominated by manufacturer-aligned retail chains.

Name

Lions Hearing Clinic

Legal name

Ear Science Institute Australia Incorporated

Website

https://lionshearing.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Lions Hearing Clinics is a not-for-profit audiology network owned by Ear Science Institute Australia, delivering hearing assessments, hearing aids, tinnitus care, and cochlear/bone/middle ear implants across WA and NSW clinics plus East Pilbara Aboriginal outreach.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Audiology and Hearing Healthcare Services

NAICS

Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists (621340), Outpatient Care Centers (6214)

SIC

Services-Specialty Outpatient Facilities, Nec (8093), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Audiology & Hearing Diagnostic Centers (HLAFAKAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Audiology & Hearing Services (ENT-Affiliated) (HLAKAMAI), Otology & Neurotology (Ear/Hearing/Balance) (HLAKAMAC)

Keywords

• Audiology clinical services
• Hearing aid fittings
• Cochlear implant surgery
• Tinnitus management
• Ear wax removal

Headquarters

HQ city

Subiaco

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices12 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Clinical Audiology Services: Revenue generated from hearing assessments, hearing aid fittings, tinnitus management, ear wax removal, and custom ear plug services. Subsidised services are available for eligible Pensioner Concession Card holders and DVA card holders through the Hearing Services Program (HSP). Private clients pay competitive transparent pricing. Medicare rebates are available with GP referral for full hearing assessment.
2. Hearing Aid and Device Sales: Sale and fitting of hearing aids and assistive listening devices. All hearing aid purchases require full payment at initial fitting. The clinic offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on hearing aid purchases. Custom ear plugs are also sold as a separate revenue stream.
3. Donations and Charitable Funding: Ear Science Institute Australia raises funds through the Gift of Hearing Appeal, supporting hearing aids and cochlear implants for people in need. Community supporters have helped raise $24M. Lions Hearing Aid Bank distributes donated hearing aids internationally. BHP has provided $825,000 and MinRes $600,000 over 3 years to support outreach programs.
4. Hearing Implant Services: Cochlear implant, bone conduction implant, and middle ear implant assessment and related surgical services at the Ear Science Implant Clinic in Subiaco. Initial implant candidacy assessment is provided free of charge.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Lions Hearing Clinics is a direct-to-consumer audiology clinic network in Australia that delivers hearing assessments, hearing aid fittings, tinnitus management, ear wax removal, custom ear plugs, and specialist hearing implant services (cochlear, bone conduction, middle ear). Backed by Ear Science Institute Australia, the clinics provide manufacturer-independent hearing care supported by world-leading hearing research. Subsidised services are available through the Commonwealth Hearing Services Program for eligible pensioners and DVA card holders.

Product overview

Lions Hearing Clinics operates as a network of independent, research-backed hearing clinics owned and operated by Ear Science Institute Australia. The core clinical offering spans hearing assessments (screening and comprehensive diagnostic testing), hearing aid fitting and management, tinnitus management, ear wax removal via micro-suction, and custom ear plugs — all delivered by audiologists. Specialist services include the Ear Science Implant Clinic for cochlear, bone conduction, and middle ear implant assessment and surgery. The organisation's research division develops digital health technologies such as the RealSound hearing diagnostics platform (using VR/AR for real-world hearing simulation) and the ClearDrum prosthetic eardrum. Community programs include the Lions Hearing Aid Bank (refurbished device donations), Healthy Hearing Outback (mobile Aboriginal health outreach), and the Gift of Hearing Appeal (fundraising). The Aussie Ear Bank biobank advances genetic therapies for hearing loss. Together, these products and services form a vertically integrated hearing care ecosystem spanning prevention, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, research, and community outreach.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Lions Hearing Aid Bank: A joint initiative with Lions Hearing Foundation that donates refurbished hearing aids to communities in need globally, with focus on developing countries such as Philippines, Indonesia, and Kenya.
• Ear Science Implant Clinic

Products and services

• Hearing Tests / Hearing Assessments Comprehensive and screening hearing assessments performed by qualified audiologists, including physical ear examination, audiometric testing in a sound booth, and personalised results review for adults experiencing hearing difficulty.
• Hearing Aids Hearing aid fitting, maintenance, and ongoing support for adults with hearing loss, with manufacturer-independent recommendations across multiple brands, full payment at initial fitting, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
• Tinnitus Management Tinnitus assessment and management including hearing aids (when hearing loss coexists), sound therapy, masking strategies, patient education, and referral to medical specialists as required.
• Ear Wax Removal (Micro-suction) Safe clinical ear wax removal using the micro-suction technique to relieve symptoms of wax build-up and restore hearing clarity.
• Custom Ear Plugs Professionally fitted custom ear plugs for noise protection, musicians, swimming, and sleep, tailored to the individual patient's ear shape for comfort and acoustic effectiveness.
• Hearing Implant Services (Cochlear, Bone Conduction, Middle Ear) Specialist assessment and surgical services for cochlear implants, bone conduction implants, and middle ear implants, including pre-operative candidacy assessment (offered free), surgery at the Ear & Hearing Surgical Facility, and post-operative rehabilitation, available exclusively at the Subiaco location.

Quantifiable outcome

• 3,500+ hearing clients helped across Australia
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability3 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Lions Hearing FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLions Hearing Clinics works in collaboration with the Lions Hearing Foundation through the Lions Hearing Aid Bank joint initiative. Thousands of pre-owned hearing aids are donated each year and distributed globally to communities in need, particularly in developing countries such as the Philippines, Indonesia, and Kenya.
• Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Service (PAMS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with PAMS to deliver the Healthy Hearing Outback program serving Nyiyaparli and Martu Aboriginal communities in the East Pilbara region of WA since 2014. PAMS provides on-the-ground logistical support for patients needing treatment or surgery.
• SonovacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership with Sonova supporting the Change a Life initiative. Every year, clinicians select patients with compelling life stories who require hearing devices but cannot access them without assistance. Sonova provides hearing devices for these recipients.
• Deakin University (Future Fibres Hub)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Deakin University's Future Fibres Hub for the development of ClearDrum — the world's first prosthetic eardrum made from silk fibroin. Deakin's materials science expertise combined with Ear Science's clinical and surgical expertise.
• Cochlear Ltd.coreTechnology or IntegrationCochlear Ltd. is a key industry partner for hearing implant research and clinical collaboration. Ear Science works with Cochlear on cochlear implant diagnostics and clinical trials. Dr Christo Bester works on translating research with Cochlear Ltd. as their industrial partner on cochlear implant electrode insertion monitoring technology.
• MED-ELcoreTechnology or IntegrationMED-EL is listed as an industry collaborator alongside Cochlear for hearing implant research and development at Ear Science Institute Australia.
• The University of Western Australia (UWA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessor Michael Gluth holds the Gordon McLaren Chair in Ear Science Surgery & Research at UWA and is a lead surgeon scientist at Ear Science. UWA is a key academic partner in research collaboration spanning hearing therapeutics, surgical science, and implant innovation.
• Curtin UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a research collaboration partner. Dr Daniel Brown from Curtin University collaborates on novel nano-targeted gene therapy research with Dr Elaine Wong's team.
• Lions Eye InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoth Ear Science Institute Australia and Lions Eye Institute are part of the broader Lions organisation family. Dr Samuel McLenachan from Lions Eye Institute collaborates with Ear Science on the Usher syndrome human disease model project and stem cell research.
• World Health OrganizationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEar Science collaborates with the World Health Organization and international partners on hearing outreach. The WHO is listed as a Europe-region collaborator alongside the World Hearing Forum.
• Harry Perkins Institute for Medical ResearchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a Western Australian research institution collaborator in the Ear Science network of partners.
• Telethon Kids InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a Western Australian research institution collaborator in the Ear Science network of partners.
• National Acoustic LaboratoriesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as an Australian national collaboration partner in hearing research and innovation.
• Hearing AustraliaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as an Australian collaboration partner in hearing care and research.
• Genetic Services of WAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates with Ear Science's Hearing Therapeutics team and Lions Hearing Clinics to develop the Australasian Hearing Registry and Biobank (Aussie Ear Bank), collecting genetic samples linked to hearing loss.
• St John of God Subiaco HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSt John of God Subiaco Hospital partnered with Ear Science for Ray Vine's cochlear implant surgery. Listed as a supporter of the Gift of Hearing Appeal.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Earworx: Australian clinic network specialising in micro-suction ear wax removal, a core service in Lions' portfolio. Smaller, single-service competitor with overlapping clinical offerings.

Direct peers

• Neurosensory: Australian audiology clinic network particularly notable for its cochlear implant program. Competitor to Lions' Ear Science Implant Clinic for cochlear and other hearing implant services.
• Bay Audio: Australian-owned hearing clinic chain offering hearing assessments, hearing aids, and tinnitus management. Closely comparable in scale and target customer to Lions Hearing Clinics.
• Hearing Australia: Australian government-funded hearing service provider delivering subsidised hearing care to pensioners, children, and other eligible groups. Direct comparable to Lions for the HSP-subsidised patient segment.
• Attune Hearing: Independent, clinician-led audiology practice network in Australia offering hearing assessments, hearing aids, and tinnitus services. Matches Lions' positioning as an independent, non-manufacturer-affiliated provider.

Others

• Sonova: Global hearing aid manufacturer and long-standing partner of Ear Science through the Change a Life initiative. Indirectly comparable as a hearing industry counterparty rather than a clinic competitor.
• Cochlear Limited: Global leader in implantable hearing solutions and a key research partner of Ear Science Institute Australia. Not a clinic competitor but a critical device supplier and ally for Lions' implant business.

Broad incumbents

• Amplifon: Global hearing care retailer operating in Australia through National Hearing Care and other banners. Competes with Lions across hearing assessments, hearing aids, and tinnitus services at national scale.
• Audika (Demant): Australian hearing clinic network owned by Demant, one of the world's largest hearing aid manufacturers. Provides hearing assessments, hearing aids, and rehabilitation services in direct competition with Lions.
• Specsavers Audiology: Australia's largest hearing aid retail network, offering hearing tests and hearing aids alongside its optical business. Competes with Lions Hearing Clinics on patient volume and pricing but is tied to specific manufacturer partnerships, unlike Lions' independent model.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ear_science
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/earscience
• Facebookfacebook.com/earscienceinstitute
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lions-hearing-clinic
• Instagraminstagram.com/earscienceinstituteaustralia

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Lions Hearing Clinic