View PDF of Actual Size ACURIS™ Life
Washington, DC, March 31, 2005 - Siemens Hearing Instruments, Inc. - the leading manufacturer of hearing instruments in the United States - today announced the introduction of a state-of-the-art "open" ear hearing instrument which is virtually invisible and was specifically designed to eliminate the "plugged-up" feeling that some wearers experience. ACURIS Life is a behind-the-ear (BTE) instrument which uses a newly developed tip and tubing and incorporates the recently introduced, cutting-edge, proprietary ear-to-ear (e2e) wireless technology. The new system represents the most technologically advanced, inconspicuous hearing solution for the 392 million people with mild to moderate hearing loss.
e2e wireless technology, pioneered by Siemens and introduced late last year, enables the left and right hearing instruments to communicate with each other and function as one hearing system, thereby creating a level of synchronization never before possible in hearing instruments. ACURIS Life with e2e wireless technology automatically adjusts itself to the wearer's listening environment, but if desired, synchronized controls allow wearers to adjust the volume or program for both ears with a single adjustment.
ACURIS Life is designed for people who are attracted to a very small, unobtrusive design because it fits discretely behind the ear with excellent cosmetic appeal. The hearing instrument has no visible controls, no ear hook and the instrument's colors blend with the wearer's hair or skin tone. In addition, ACURIS Life can be used with the designed tubing or it can be worn with a traditional, customized earmold.
ACURIS Life's newly developed tip, called LifeTip™, is placed in the wearer's ear canal, as opposed to a traditional earmold, which sits in the ear. ACURIS Life's open fitting solution does not require any ear impression, so people with hearing loss can be tested and fit in the same visit to their Hearing Care Professional and immediately experience the benefits of the hearing instrument. In addition, High Speed Feedback Cancellation on all ACURIS Life hearing instruments prevents the occurrence of annoying feedback.
"ACURIS Life gives people with hearing loss who prefer the comfort of an open ear hearing instrument with the benefits of the revolutionary e2e wireless technology," said Dr. Thomas Powers, Chief Research Officer at Siemens. "ACURIS Life reduces occlusion, providing a better and more natural sound quality, and improves wearing comfort."
About Siemens
Siemens Hearing Instruments, part of Siemens Medical Solutions, is one of the leading manufacturers of hearing instruments in the United States. Headquartered in Piscataway, New Jersey, the Company offers a range of innovative products, solutions and services to Hearing Care Professionals across the United States. Among its innovative products, the Company
designs and manufactures a variety of digital hearing instruments in all styles to improve the quality of life for individuals with hearing loss. Visit www.usa.siemens.com/hearing for more information. Siemens Medical Solutions of Siemens AG (NYSE: SI) with headquarters in Malvern, Pennsylvania and Erlangen, Germany, is one of the largest suppliers to the healthcare industry in the world. The company is known for bringing together innovative medical technologies, healthcare information systems, management consulting, and support services, to help customers achieve tangible, sustainable, clinical and financial outcomes. Employing approximately 31,000 people worldwide and operating in more than 120 countries, Siemens Medical Solutions reported sales of 7.07 billion EUR, orders of 8.12 billion EUR and group profit of 1.05 billion EUR for fiscal 2004. More information can be obtained by visiting www.usa.siemens.com/medical-pressroom.
