Hannah McPierzie- Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2)

Hearing loss caused by neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2), a rare condition that led to tumours affecting her hearing and vision, left Hannah McPierzie unable to communicate in the ways she once had or fully participate in everyday life. After undergoing surgery and working with her specialist care team, she received an auditory brainstem implant (ABI), a life‑changing turning point that, supported by connected technology, has helped her hear again, reconnect with the world around her, and be part of the moments that matter most. 

Hannah McPierzie is a Perth-based disability consultant and advocate whose life was profoundly impacted by neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2), a rare condition that caused tumours affecting her hearing and vision. As the condition progressed, Hannah lost her hearing, leaving her unable to communicate in the ways she once had and increasingly disconnected from everyday moments that many take for granted. 

Following surgery to remove the tumours, Hannah experienced profound deafness. With the support of her specialist care team, she was recommended an auditory brainstem implant (ABI). 

Auditory brainstem implants bypass the inner ear and directly stimulate the brainstem, enabling access to sound for people who would otherwise be unable to hear, including patients like Hannah, whose condition meant traditional hearing devices were not suitable. 

After receiving her ABIs, and with the support of connected technology and her care team, Hannah has been able to reconnect with sound, communication and the world around her, from conversations and daily interactions to moments that were once out of reach. 

Being able to hear her cousin’s wedding vows is just one example of the value of MedTech and how this technology has restored her ability to be part of life’s most meaningful moments again.