Minneapolis—April 6, 2006—Starkey Laboratories, Inc., one of the world's leading hearing technology companies, today announced the introduction of a revolutionary new hearing system which, at long last, provides hearing aid users with more natural, more normal hearing—more quickly. The new Starkey hearing system includes the Destiny line of smart hearing aids, the intuitive Inspire OS software, and Starkey's proprietary nFusion technology.
In an industry first, Starkey's new hearing system, which is based on the company's nFusion technology, leverages the power of nanoscience—science at the molecular level—to pack more features than ever into its new Destiny series of hearing aids and to activate those features automatically. As a result, Destiny hearing aids are the only hearing aids in the world to offer three specific features that address users' most common complaints. More specifically, Destiny hearing aids include Active Feedback Intercept, which gets rid of that annoying whistling sound often associated with wearing hearing aids; Directional Speech Detector, which with its laser-like focus lets users hear exactly what they want to hear, even in extremely noisy situations; and Acoustic Signature, which automatically and instantaneously adjusts for and switches to different listening environments, making it nearly biological in its response. With these features, Destiny hearing aids offer users the most natural and powerful hearing of any hearing aid available today.
Starkey's hearing system also creates unprecedented communications between the Destiny hearing aids and the fitting software that result in faster, more accurate hearing aid fittings and fewer visits to the hearing professional's office. That's because the software ensures the hearing aids are fit to each user's individual daily life routines. For the first time ever, Inspire OS engages users by transforming the practitioner's office into a virtual reality—complete with everyday sights and sounds like those found in their home, car, or favorite restaurant. The software also allows the user see how the hearing aid is responding in those listening environments in real time.
"Our goal at Starkey is to use new and existing technologies to improve not only a user's hearing but their every day life," said Jerry Ruzicka, president of Starkey Laboratories. "For the first time since the invention of hearing aids, users can walk without their hearing aids whistling. They can answer the phone without fear of feedback. They can enjoy a private conversation in a noisy restaurant. These revolutionary advancements are like a new lease on life for the tens of millions of people who experience hearing loss worldwide. With this hearing system, we truly believe that Starkey will help change the world."
Mary Landry, a 54-year old mom from Fridley, Minn., who started noticing problems with her hearing five years ago, couldn't agree more. For five years, Mary has had difficulty making out words and conversations in noisy environments like restaurants and theatres. And she always had to turn up the television volume to hear it over household noises. But according to Mary, as soon as she tried the new Destiny hearing aids, her life changed forever. "Just like when you squint to see better, I was straining to hear. But not anymore! Putting in these hearing aids was like putting on eye glasses for the very first time. Suddenly, my hearing was crystal clear," she said. "My hearing is so good now that my husband's the one asking to turn up the volume on the television." Mary added that over the past five years, she found herself becoming more isolated to avoid being embarrassed by her hearing loss. "I feel so much more social now," she said. "I have my life back. My life has truly changed for the better."
Starkey's Destiny series of hearing aids includes the Destiny 400, 800 and 1200 and is available in behind-the-ear, in-the-ear, in-the-canal, and completely-in-the-canal models.
To learn more about Destiny and Inspire OS, visit www.StarkeynFusion.com.
About Starkey Laboratories
Privately held Starkey Laboratories, Inc. is a 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 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.
