GN Otometrics Adds ASSR Technology to Its Premier ICS CHARTR EP Line

BLOOMINGTON, Minn., July 7, 2004 - - GN Otometrics, the world leader in hearing and balance diagnostic systems, has enhanced its well-known CHARTR EP (Evoked Potential) software with two cutting-edge diagnostic tests: auditory steady state response (ASSR) and vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP). GN Otometrics is the first company in the industry to make VEMP commercially available and the first to combine the diagnostic tests in a single software package.

ASSR
ASSR is a simple, fast and accurate measurement tool for objectively evaluating ear-specific, frequency-specific hearing in infants. The automated ASSR program allows the user to obtain an audiogram more quickly than with other diagnostic tools, a feature that is extremely important when diagnosing babies.
Adding ASSR to CHARTR EP advances GN Otometrics' leadership position in the developing field of pediatric hearing. The company's commitment to this patient population begins with its screening device, the Madsen AccuScreen. Diagnostic technologies include the Capella OAE Cochlear Analyzer, OTOflex 100 (1000 Hz tympanometry) and CHARTR EP with PediABR. With the addition of ASSR, frequency-specific testing rounds out the complementary and integrated battery of tests available from GN Otometrics.

"CHARTR EP-ASSR is the all-inclusive solution for pediatric hearing assessment," said Terry Ross, vice president of sales for GN Otometrics. "Our comprehensive approach enables earlier habilitation and subsequently, has the potential to improve outcomes for hearing-challenged infants."

VEMP
VEMP is used to measure the integrity of the sacculocollic pathway of dizzy patients. The saccule, which is the lower of the two otolithic organs, has a slight sensitivity to sound, which can be measured. VEMP supplements the current ENG/VNG (electronystagmography/videonystagmography) test battery by providing diagnostic information about saccular and inferior vestibular nerve function.
Adding VEMP to CHARTR EP underscores GN Otometrics leadership in advancing balance assessment. It can be completely integrated with CHARTR ENG/VNG, resulting in the only comprehensive diagnostic package for dizzy patients.

"The VEMP application is the ideal complement to CHARTR ENG/VNG® said Michelle Petrak, Ph.D., product manager for GN Otometrics. "GN Otometrics is the only manufacturer offering a completely integrated system combining ENG/VNG and auditory evoked potential testing with VEMP default proven and tested protocols. "

CHARTR EP- ASSR, with VEMP, is a software upgrade and is immediately available. For more information, visit www.gnotometrics.com.

Copenhagen-based GN Otometrics is the world's leading manufacturer of hearing and balance instrumentation and software, including solutions for infant screening applications, audiologic diagnostics, office management software, balance testing and hearing instrument fitting.