HearUSA Introduces AARP Hearing Care Program for Americans Aged 50-plus in Florida and New Jersey

West Palm Beach, Florida - October 1, 2009 - Designed to help millions of Americans aged 50+ who have untreated hearing loss, the AARP Hearing Care program, provided by HearUSA (AMEX:EAR), is being launched in Florida and New Jersey today as part of the initial phase of a nationwide rollout.

While one in 10 Americans has hearing loss, it is older men and women who are much more likely to suffer from this life altering condition. According to the National Institutes of Health (https://nihseniorhealth.gov), nearly one in five adults 45-64 years old;one in three adults 65-74 years old;and half of all adults 75 years old or older have a hearing impairment.

The program being introduced today is provided by HearUSA, (www.hearusa.com) one of the nation's leading providers of hearing aids and hearing care. Initially, the program will be available through the company's 42 owned and operated Florida hearing care centers and 13 owned and operated New Jersey hearing care centers. The company said other qualified hearing care providers in Florida, New Jersey and across the nation will be invited to participate.

Florida and New Jersey residents are among the first of millions of 50+ Americans nationwide who will receive access to the Hearing Care Program exclusively for AARP members.

"The program features more affordable state-of-the-art digital hearing aids that are also smaller, smarter and more comfortable than ever before," said Stephen Hansbrough, CEO and chairman of HearUSA.

Hansbrough added that the program offers uniform pricing and extended warranties on hearing aids and related products;thorough testing and evaluation;and all-important best practices hearing rehabilitation (acclimation guidance and support) that far exceed industry standards.

It is anticipated that, by 2011, the HearUSA nationwide network of approximately 5,000 credentialed hearing care providers will be available to AARP members in all 50 states and the US territories.

Following are the hard facts about hearing loss:

Loss of hearing is a serious life issue, a medical condition that is associated with physical, emotional, mental and social well-being. (National Council on Aging;www.ncoa.org)

Among seniors, hearing loss is the most prevalent medical condition, following arthritis and hypertension. (University of California, San Francisco - Department of Neurological Surgery;https://neurosurgery.ucsf.edu)

Ninety-five percent of all Americans with hearing loss can be treated with hearing aids (Better Hearing Institute;www.betterhearing.org)

However, only one person in five who could benefit from hearing aids uses them (National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders;www.nidcd.nih.gov)

"This program has been designed to address the concerns and confusion that are preventing so many from receiving treatment for their hearing loss," said Dr. Cindy Beyer, audiologist and HearUSA senior vice president.

For a detailed description of the HearUSA hearing care program for AARP members, please visit: aarp.hearusa.com.