2011 Starkey Research Summit Takes Place in Sonoma

University & Starkey Researchers Share Knowledge

Minneapolis, Oct. 11, 2011 - Starkey Laboratories, Inc., one of the world's leading hearing technology companies, is excited to announce that it recently hosted the 2011 Starkey Research Summit in Sonoma, Calif., comprised of 15 world-class researchers and key Starkey representatives. The Summit was a follow-up to Starkey's successful Research Summit that was held in Napa, Calif., in 2007.

"This 2011 Starkey Research Summit hosted some of the true leaders in hearing and cognition and builds on our benchmark research with the University of California, Berkeley, which studied the impact of hearing aids and cognition," said Brent Edwards, Ph.D., Vice President of Research for Starkey. "We are proud to have the opportunity to work with this outstanding group of researchers and look forward to continued collaboration."

The Summit covered four major themes: Effects of aging on auditory processing and cognition;effects of hearing technology on auditory processing and cognition in the elderly;effects of training on auditory processing and cognition in the elderly;and effects of aging on hearing help-seeking behavior. The participants plan to produce a number of research papers surrounding the Research Summit topics in the coming months.

The attendees included:

• Brent Small, Ph.D., University of South Florida
  
• Erv Hafter, Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley
  
• Gabrielle Saunders, Ph.D., VA National Center for Rehabilitative Auditory Research
  
• Harry Levitt, Ph.D., Advanced Hearing Concepts
  
• Kathy Pichora-Fuller, Ph.D., University of Toronto, Mississauga
  
• Larry Humes, Ph.D., Indiana University
  
• Meg Wallhagen, Ph.D., University of California, San Francisco
  
• Patricia Tun, Ph.D., Brandeis University
  
• Terry Chisolm, Ph.D., University of South Florida
  
• Victoria Williams, Au.D., University of South Florida
  
• Brent Edwards, Ph.D., Starkey
  
• Harvey Abrams, Ph.D., Starkey
  
• Dave Fabry, Ph.D., Starkey
  
• Jason Galster, Ph.D., Starkey
  
• Sridhar Kalluri, Ph.D., Starkey

"I am hopeful that the issues identified and explored at the Research Summit will stimulate the research community to address the growing and combined problems associated with hearing loss and age-related cognitive decline," said Harvey Abrams, Director of Audiology Research for Starkey.

About Starkey®

Starkey Laboratories, Inc. is a privately held, global hearing technology company headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minn. The company is recognized for its innovative design, development and distribution of comprehensive digital hearing systems. Founded in 1967, Starkey currently employs more than 3,500 people, operates 21 facilities and conducts business in more than 100 markets worldwide. For more information, visit www.starkeypro.com or the Starkey Web Channel on Audiology Online.