Sonion Funds PBS Documentary for the Better Hearing Institute

The Better Hearing Institute announced today that Sonion (Roskilde, Denmark) has agreed to fund a mini-PBS documentary for the Institute. The documentary, which will highlight the critical importance of hearing and hearing aids as the treatment for hearing loss, is guaranteed 500 showings on America's Public Broadcasting Service network reaching an audience of between three and five million viewers.

Sonion President Peter Scheel stated "Sonion is delighted to fund this valuable effort in support of the hearing health community - the hearing instrument manufacturers, hearing healthcare providers, and ultimately users of hearing instruments. With so many positive things happening in the hearing healthcare field, perhaps there is no time in history better than now to reposition hearing healthcare in America as a service which literally transforms millions of lives. Now is the time to promote our knowledge of the impact of hearing loss treatment on quality of life and the new superb hearing aid technologies."

Sonion has developed, manufactured and marketed advanced electromechanical and electroacoustical components for the hearing instrument industry worldwide for almost 30 years. It is located in Denmark, the Netherlands, Poland, China and the US.
In announcing the special project, BHI Executive Director Sergei Kochkin noted, "With this special sponsorship by Sonion we have a wonderful opportunity to highlight hearing healthcare in the digital age and to overcome societal misperceptions of hearing loss and hearing solutions". Kochkin also advised that in addition to the broadcast, the mini-documentary will be available on CD-ROM for distribution through hearing healthcare providers and for inclusion on hearing healthcare websites. The program will be completed by the end of 2005 with expected airings in first quarter 2006.

Founded in 1973, the Better Hearing Institute is a not-for-profit educational organization whose mission is to educate the public about hearing loss, its treatment and prevention. To receive a free copy of our 28 page booklet "Your Guide to Better Hearing" visit our website at www.betterhearing.org
or call the Better Hearing Institute hotline at 1-800-EAR-WELL.