New miniValeo™ Offers 3 Fitting Options, Phonak Takes Miniaturization to the Next Level

Warrenville, IL (August 1, 2005) - Three fitting options are key features of Phonak Hearing System's new miniValeo. This latest addition to the Valeo product line offers a combination of high performance, value and cosmetic appeal in a truly miniature format.
The miniValeo provides three fitting options:

• open fitting with a slim tube, the ultimate in cosmetic appeal for mild or high frequency losses;
  
  
• open fitting with standard tubing, an alternative sometimes preferred for mild or high frequency losses;
  
  
• traditional fitting with a custom ear mold, appropriate for up to moderate hearing losses and ideal for patients who need low frequency amplification.

Coupled with a miniaturized instrument casing, miniValeo allows for on-the-spot fitting and is attractive for those patients with mild or high frequency hearing loss who are highly sensitive to the cosmetics of a hearing aid. This group includes the millions of baby boomers who, having lead the most active and noisy lifestyle of any generation so far, are widely believed to suffer from a significantly higher incidence of hearing loss than their parents or any other generation before them.

Despite its tiny size, the miniValeo includes a list of advantages never before seen in other mini hearing systems to date, including multiple signal processing strategies, three memories, active feedback management and dual microphone AudioZoom.

"The cost and benefits of the miniValeo are great. I've been very pleased and so have my patients," said hearing health care professional Cindi Sanders, Williamsburg, VA. "Patients really like the way it fits, performs and the comfort is amazing."

Phonak Hearing Systems, with world headquarters in Stäfa, Switzerland, is the leader in technologically advanced hearing systems that improve quality of life. Phonak's full line of custom made and BTE solutions for any hearing impaired patient includes Savia™, Perseo™, Valeo™, Amio™, Maxx™ and Supero™ product lines. Phonak products are dispensed by hearing healthcare professionals in more than 70 countries.

For more information on Phonack systems visit, www.phonak-us.com