February 19, 2008 (MINNEAPOLIS) -- Starkey Laboratories, Inc. announced today that it has licensed an international portfolio of patents from Hear-Wear Technologies, LLC, an affiliate of SeboTek Hearing Systems, LLC. The patent license agreement will grant Starkey worldwide usage of the Hear-Wear patent portfolio for RIC (receiver in the canal) devices and includes United States Patent Nos. 5,606,621; 7,016,512; 7,110,562; and 7,139,404.
"SeboTek was clearly innovative with the introduction of their RIC-style technology," said Jerry Ruzicka, President of Starkey. "Hearing professionals have responded favorably to this technology and we expect this strong trend to continue driving industry sales. We have always been respectful of intellectual property created by other companies, which is why we approached SeboTek about a license prior to launching future RIC products."
The business terms of the license agreement were not disclosed.
"We are pleased that an industry leader such as Starkey has licensed this Hear-Wear patent portfolio and recognized the commercial success this technology has had in the hearing aid industry in recent years," said Jim Feeley, President of SeboTek and Hear-Wear.
SeboTek launched its receiver in the canal technology to the industry at American Academy of Audiology's annual AudiologyNOW! event in April 2003.
"We were not just introducing a new product but an entirely new style concept," said Feeley. "Ultimately, our goal was to create a hearing system that would change the traditional fitting process and improve the overall consumer experience."
About Starkey
Privately held Starkey Laboratories, Inc. is a global hearing 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 25 countries. Divisions operating under the Starkey family of companies include Audibel, Micro-Tech, NuEar and Starkey. For more information, visit www.starkey.com or the Starkey Web Channel on Audiology Online.
About Hear-Wear and SeboTek
Hear-Wear and SeboTek are headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma. SeboTek is a Wholesale distributor of hearing instruments around the world and an industry leader in RIC technology. SeboTek launched its first RIC style hearing instrument in 2003, and its products continue to gain wide-spread acceptance throughout the U.S. and around the world. For more information about SeboTek and its products, call 1.800.388.9041 or log on to https://www.sebotek.com or the SeboTek Web Channel on Audiology Online.
