We're proud to share that Freequency has won the Audience Award at the tenth edition of the National Care Innovation Prize. The prize was awarded during the Zorg & ict trade fair, sponsored by ING, and handed to us by Constantijn van Oranje.

Freequency earned the Audience Award with 24% of the public vote — the highest of all finalists. That number means a lot to us, because it comes directly from the people who follow our work, believe in what we're building, and understand why tinnitus care needs to change. The award is a €5,000 cheque, but more importantly it's a clear signal that there is real demand for an accessible, science-based approach to tinnitus.

The road to the national award started in the regional rounds. Freequency was selected as winner of the Brainport region by the professional jury, which brought us to the national final among seven finalists from across the country. The professional jury prize this year went to J58 for the Ezer, a fully mechanical stand-up wheelchair — a well-deserved win for a strong innovation.

For those new to Freequency: tinnitus is an invisible but serious burden for more than two million people in the Netherlands. Freequency is the first tinnitus AR serious game in the Netherlands. Using augmented reality and exposure therapy, the app helps people train their brains to recognize and filter sound differently, so the tinnitus is experienced as less intrusive. The result is less fatigue and irritation. It's not a magic cure — it's a playful, accessible way to gain a sense of control, built on science and delivered through a smartphone. The app is designed both for individuals and for use within care settings, as a complement to existing treatments. Winning the Audience Award gives us exactly the kind of momentum we need to keep building. It helps us secure the right resources to bring self-management to everyone living with tinnitus, in the Netherlands and beyond.

A huge thank you to everyone who voted, supported us, and shared our mission. This win is yours as much as it is ours.