Minneapolis—April 6, 2006—Starkey Laboratories, Inc., one of the world's leading hearing technology companies, today announced a partnership with NeuroTone Inc., a leading provider of auditory training solutions, to become the first hearing aid manufacturer in the world to offer hearing aid users NeuroTone's LACE (Listening and Communication Enhancement) interactive aural training software.
Hearing aids help users better detect sounds and achieve improved hearing. LACE helps hearing aid users achieve better overall communication. Through interactive tasks, LACE helps hearing aid users develop better listening skills, rapid thought processing, auditory memory, and language skills.
"We believe that LACE perfectly complements Starkey's new Destiny series of hearing aids," said Jerry Ruzicka, president of Starkey. "Destiny ensures users achieve significant improvements to their hearing, and LACE ensures they achieve significant improvements to their listening and speech recognition skills. With LACE, the end result will be users who are more satisfied with their hearing aids and who are more confident in their ability to return to their vibrant and active daily lives."
LACE is a 20-day training program that requires just 30 minutes of training time per day. Users simply install the software on their home computer to get started. The interactive and adaptive tasks are divided into three categories: Degraded Speech, which helps develop skills to hear better in noise and listen to fast talkers; Cognitive Skills, which provides short and long term memory training and improves the speed at which sounds are processed; and Communication Strategies, which develops skills to perform better in daily communication activities.
All audiologists and dispensers who carry hearing products manufactured by Starkey or a division of Starkey may receive the LACE software free of charge to provide to users free of charge. For more information on LACE, visit www.NeuroTone.com.
About Starkey Laboratories
Privately held Starkey Laboratories, Inc. is a consumer technology company headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minn. The company is recognized for its innovative design, development, and distribution of comprehensive digital hearing systems. Founded in 1967, Starkey currently has more than 4,000 employees and facilities in 18 countries. Divisions operating under the Starkey Laboratories family of companies include Audibel, Micro-Tech, NuEar, Omni, Qualitone, and Starkey.
For more information, visit www.starkey.com.
