CHICAGO and BOSTON, March 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Panasonic Healthcare Group today announced at AudiologyNOW! 2012 that the Panasonic JZ Power WH-105JZ and all R1-W Series, WH-R17C, WH-R15C and WH-R13C, digital hearing instruments have earned the Good Housekeeping Seal after evaluation by the Good Housekeeping Research Institute.  With the induction of these hearing care instrument models, Panasonic's entire lineup of hearing care instruments in the U.S. have been recognized by the Good Housekeeping Research Institute with a Good Housekeeping Seal.  Both the Panasonic JZ Power and R1-W Series of digital hearing instruments will be on display at AudiologyNOW! 2012's Audiology Solutions, Panasonic booth #1885. 

"After being reviewed by the Good Housekeeping Research Institute's Health, Beauty & Environmental Sciences Department, we're thrilled to welcome the newest Panasonic hearing aid products to our Good Housekeeping Seal family," said Patricia Haegele, Senior Vice President/Publisher of Good Housekeeping Magazine.

The JZ Power WH-105JZ, designed for mild to severe hearing loss, utilizes innovative technology to expand on hearing range as compared with previous generation models.  A palm-sized unit featuring an LCD screen and a stereo binaural headset (earphone with microphones) which is designed to comfortably fit into the ear canal and stay in place for long hours of wear, the new JZ Power provides ease-of-use in a simple, user-friendly design.  Available in blue, black and silver, this digital hearing instrument features five channels and additional functions which aid in hearing capability including noise reduction, wind noise management, feedback management, L/R balance and Automatic Gain Control (AGC).  Additionally, a slide power switch and volume control are easily accessible for individuals with dexterity challenges or impaired vision.  To create optimal sound in various listening settings, the Scene Selector Function allows for four fixed scene modes, standard, music, party and indoors. 

The open fit Receiver-in-Canal (RIC) R1-W Series digital hearing instruments are designed for people with mild to severe hearing loss in three models, WH-R17C, WH-R15C and WH-R13C, allowing for diverse functionality for a variety of users.  Offering a compact size and sleek, curved shape, the R1-W Series is designed to fit comfortably and discreetly behind a user's ear.  The Hearing Hub allows users to wirelessly connect the hearing instrument to Bluetooth®-compatible* mobile phones, landlines and Audio Transmitter, enabling sound to automatically transmit into the digital hearing device.  The Hearing Hub also provides a user with the ability to record voice memos such as personal reminders and phone numbers, allowing for up to five 2-minute and 40-second recorded files.  An innovative battery management tool protects the digital hearing instrument's battery by preventing drainage when placed in a dehumidifier, which helps power last for approximately 300 hours** thus reducing battery waste.  This is part of Panasonic's strong commitment to the "eco ideas" initiative to drive green innovation in the consumer electronics industry. 

"Panasonic is honored to be recognized by the Good Housekeeping Research Institute and to receive the prestigious Good Housekeeping Seal for our JZ Power and  R1-W wireless series digital hearing instruments.  The addition of these products as Good Housekeeping Seal recipients means that Panasonic's entire lineup of digital hearing instruments are now marked with the Good Housekeeping Seal," said Delain D. Wright, Director of Sales, Panasonic Healthcare Group.  "As we expand our presence in the hearing market, the Good Housekeeping Seal recognition will help give both hearing care professionals and end users confidence in the decision to improve their lives through better hearing using Panasonic hearing products."

Since 1909, the Good Housekeeping Seal has been granted to products that have been submitted for and passed a rigorous evaluation by the Good Housekeeping Research Institute. As part of Good Housekeeping's policy, if a product receiving the Seal proves to be defective within two years from the date it was first sold to a consumer by an authorized retailer, Good Housekeeping will replace the product or refund the purchase price.

Previously, the Panasonic JZ Series digital hearing instruments earned the Good Housekeeping Seal in April 2011, followed by the 4-Series (RIC) digital hearing instruments in October 2011.

Panasonic's entire range of digital hearing care products will be on display at American Academy of Audiology's annual meeting, AudiologyNOW! 2012 at the Audiology Solutions exhibit hall from Thursday, March 29 through Saturday March 31 at Panasonic booth #1885.  AudiologyNOW! 2012 will be held at Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, 415 Summer Street, Boston, MA 02210.

To learn more about Panasonic digital hearing instruments, including features and specifications, please visit: www.panasonic.com/hearing.

*The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are owned by the Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Panasonic Corporation is under license.

**Measured based on the Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS) C5513 2000 using a standard receiver.   The life of the battery differs depending on the type of battery, conditions and hearing aid set-up.

About Panasonic's Healthcare Group
Based in Secaucus, NJ Panasonic Healthcare Group is a business group of Panasonic Corporation of North America.  Bringing together Panasonic's expertise in a wide range of health and medical device technologies the business unit develops products for the healthcare industry relating to hearing care and diagnostic machines.  For more information visit www.panasonic.com/cardiohealthstation or http://www.panasonic.com/business/medicalvideo/hearing-aids/index.asp

About Panasonic Corporation of North America
Based in Secaucus, NJ, Panasonic Corporation of North America provides a broad line of digital and other electronics products and services for consumer, business and industrial use. The company is the principal North American subsidiary of Osaka, Japan-based Panasonic Corporation PC, and the hub of Panasonic's U.S. branding, marketing, sales, service and R&D operations.  Panasonic was the only Consumer Electronics brand to be listed in the top ten brands on the Interbrand Best Global Green Brands 2011 ranking (http://www.interbrand.com/en/best-global-brands/Best-Global-Green-Brands/2011-Report/BestGlobalGreenBrandsTable-2011.aspx).  As part of its continuing efforts to reduce its carbon footprint, Panasonic Corporation of North America will relocate its operations to a new eco-efficient office tower adjacent to a mass transit hub in Newark, NJ in 2013.  Information about Panasonic Eco Ideas initiatives is available at http://panasonic.net/eco/ecoideas/.  Information about Panasonic and its products is available at www.panasonic.com. Additional company information for journalists is also available at www.panasonic.com/pressroom.

About Good Housekeeping
Founded in 1885, Good Housekeeping (www.goodhousekeeping.com) magazine reaches 25 million readers each month.  In addition to the print title, there is the Good Housekeeping Research Institute, the consumer product evaluation laboratory of Good Housekeeping magazine.  Founded in 1900 and continuing today with the same mission, the Research Institute is dedicated to improving the lives of consumers and their families through education and product evaluation.  Only products evaluated by the Good Housekeeping Research Institute can be accepted for advertising in the magazine, and thereby become eligible to display the Good Housekeeping Seal, the hallmark that provides assurance to readers that the products advertised in the magazine are backed by a two-year limited warranty against being defective, with specified exceptions. Readers can also interact with the brand on the digital front, with Good Housekeeping mobile (m.goodhousekeeping.com). In addition to its U.S. flagship, Good Housekeeping publishes 15 editions around the world.  Hearst Magazines is a unit of Hearst Corporation (www.hearst.com) and is one of the world's largest publishers of monthly magazines, with nearly 200 editions around the world, including 15 U.S. titles and 20 magazines in the United Kingdom, published through its wholly-owned subsidiary, The National Magazine Company Limited.  Hearst reaches more adults than any other publisher of monthly magazines (73.4 million total adults, according to MRI, Spring 2009).

SOURCE Panasonic