An Isle of Man company behind ground-breaking technology which could dramatically improve everyday life for millions of people with hearing loss, is looking forward to a busy year ahead after an award-winning 2017.

In several clinical trials during recent years Goshawk Communications Limited has proven its innovative software significantly improves the sound quality of mobile phone calls for people with varying degrees of hearing loss.

Using personalised auditory profiles that are created for each user, Goshawk combines intellectual property originally developed by its own team, with the commercial and technological capability of Vannin Ventures which is the majority shareholder in Goshawk Communications.

Vannin Ventures is Manx Telecom’s business incubator which has a mission to identify new long-term growth opportunities, as previously reported in Business News.

The potential market for Goshawk’s technology is huge because research shows that one in six people globally suffer varying degrees of hearing loss - there are more than 12,000 people with hearing impairment in the Isle of Man, and 11 million in the UK.

CEO, Matthew Turner, said that during 2017 the company had made significant strides towards bringing its technology to market in 2018.

He said: ’As someone who suffers from hearing loss, I am passionate about the benefits this technology can bring. The Isle of Man has played a crucial role in the development of our technology, and we are hugely appreciative of the support we have received from the Isle of Man Government and the Isle of Man’s Department of Health and Social Care’s Audiology Services team.

’We are grateful for support from Ideas For Ears, Vannin Ventures, Manx Telecom and, especially, all of the volunteers who have taken part in clinical trials.’ Ideas For Ears is a not-for-profit social enterprise that helps people with hearing loss. At the Isle of Man Newspapers’ Awards For Excellence, Goshawk Communications Limited won the ’Equiom award for excellence in the use of technology’

Flashback: Goshawk CEO Matthew Turner pictured at the last Awards for Excellence receiving the Equiom award for excellence in the use of technology