Based on the insight that people with hearing loss are in denial, we developed a way to test their hearing, without them knowing.

‘Does Love Last Forever?’ is a short film with two different endings, depending on the viewer’s hearing ability. It’s a hearing test in disguise.

The film follows a couple’s relationship over four decades, and poses the question “Did love last?” For those who can hear well, their relationship remains loving. But the film is scripted and produced in such a way that people with a hearing problem perceive the relationship to deteriorate.

The beauty of the idea lies in the parallel between the perceived deterioration of the on-screen relationship by hearing loss sufferers, and the growing disconnect they may be experiencing in their own life, due to hearing loss. This subtle reminder demonstrates the effects of a condition that they may have refused to admit.

The film was just the beginning of a complex digital journey to evaluate the hearing ability of users, flag potential issues and lead them to recovery.

Social led teasers and content pieces led our target audience to the microsite to watch our film, without knowing it was a disguised test. Ensuring an engaging UX that pushed viewers along through the sites desired activities.

After watching the film, users were prompted to take an interactive hearing assessment created using frequency specific audio and footage from the film, quantifying their degree of hearing loss.

A negative result prompted data capture for a free consultation with Cochlear.

This integrated with Cochlear’s lead nurture system, grading the score and placed them on the relevant treatment path.

User who had a good level hearing could engage with an interactive emulator that gave an audio indication of what it is like to live with hearing loss.

We turned the hearing test on its head, disrupting the ambivalence of our audience and inspiring them to action.

Results in the first 9 weeks:

- Tested over 90,000 Australian’s hearing in the first 9 weeks – people who normally may have not been tested

- Leading to 6,000 taking a further hearing assessment

- 103,000 visitors to the microsite, with a bounce rate of only 3%

- Average time on page is 14 minutes, demonstrating high engagement

- Provided a platform for those with a hearing issue to connect with Cochlear for a free consultation to commence their long path to rediscovering their hearing. This fulfilled our key commercial objective of filling Cochlear’s sales funnel with 437 highly engaged, high value leads.

- The campaign has resulted in a Return Ratio of 25:1

Direct to consumer:

Cochlear had traditionally focused their efforts on communicating to hearing professionals and audiologists, seeking recommendation as opposed to request. However, as consumers are not actively visiting hearing professionals and hearing professionals are becoming less influential in brand choice, we needed to make a bold strategic leap and go directly to the consumer. Specifically, those over the age of 55 who are more likely to suffer and less likely to act.

Disrupt the denial:

85% of hearing loss sufferers were denying their symptoms. Considering this behavioural barrier, it was clear that we couldn’t just tell people they had a problem, we had to demonstrate it.

Drive action:

Once those with hearing loss recognised they had an issue, we needed them to act. It was vital to capture their details so they would enter Cochlear’s lead nurture program and begin their journey with Cochlear.

Australia is in the midst of a silent epidemic. 3.5 million people are living with some form of hearing loss, however 85% do nothing about it.

As the global leader in implantable hearing solutions, Cochlear’s biggest competitor is not a rival brand – it is the inaction of their potential customers. Many are in denial; others simply dismiss it as part of ‘growing old’. Untreated sufferers isolate themselves from social situations, losing connection with loved ones and face an increased likelihood of developing depression.

It is against this backdrop that Cochlear decided to launch their first major consumer facing campaign, aiming to:

- Raise awareness of the prevalence of hearing loss and get the nation talking about it

- Encourage action amongst those who are in denial

- Connect sufferers with Cochlear for a consultation, providing the platform to begin their path to rediscovering their hearing.