Siemens Expands Custom Product Line with Smaller, Guaranteed-Fit Hearing Solutions

PISCATAWAY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Siemens Hearing Instruments, Inc. (SHI) today announced six industry-leading technologies, providing smaller custom solutions through advanced technology and more flexible design. Included in the expanded portfolio are three new custom, in-the-ear (ITE), miniature hearing instruments that offer today's hearing aid wearers a guaranteed fit. Also announced today are iScan® v5.0, Motion® EZ and Pure® LE. All six new technologies will be launched at the 2011 Academy of Doctors of Audiology conference November 3-5 in Bonita Springs, FL (Booth 315/414).

Siemens now offers the largest selection of ITE solutions in the industry, including four new hearing instruments with clinically-proven* BestSound™ Technology – the invisible iMini™ now in 301 performance level, Motion® CIC Special Edition (SE), Motion® Mini and Motion EZ. Siemens state-of-the-art, advanced modeling technology enables smaller, solid-state circuitry with flexible designs that allow for floating elements and optimal component positioning. This results in smaller sized instruments manufactured faster and tailored for every level of hearing loss, anatomical need and lifestyle preference.

With the power of Siemens iScan, now in version 5.0, consumers are guaranteed a faster turnaround time. Using iScan v5.0, hearing care professionals can scan patient impressions in less than two minutes, submit the impressions electronically and receive the final custom instruments in-office within 48 hours. iScan v5.0 extends this efficiency and accuracy even further, with an open platform for use with outside earmold laboratories and other manufacturers. The open platform provides professionals with one single, powerful, tried-and-true scanning technology for all of their custom product ordering.

“Innovation, personalization and ease-of-doing-business are the driving forces behind Siemens vision,” said Scott Davis, Chief Executive Officer, SHI. “Siemens maintains its commitment to providing industry-leading technologies with the expansion of our ITE product lineup, offering more options to fit more patients. We combine comfort, performance and discretion for a highly-personalized hearing experience, while also offering ease-of-business for professionals with the speed and convenience of iScan v5.0.”

iMini™ 301 expands the custom iMini product family, offering an invisible precision-engineered, hearing instrument that sits deeply in the ear canal and is now available in the 301 performance level. Equipped with features like SoundSmoothing® and FeedbackStopper^TM, the invisible iMini 301 has eight channels and is available in all 12 of the popular iMini jewel-toned shades at an accessible price.

Motion® CIC SE is Siemens smallest completely-in-canal (CIC) custom instrument yet. Similar in style and form to the iMini, Motion CIC SE is a tiny, custom hearing device for those patients with smaller ear canals, making the Motion CIC SE an ideal alternative to the iMini. It uses a size 10 battery and is available in the 701 and 301 levels. Motion CIC SE is built for performance and style, with the same faceplate and 12 elegant iMini color options.

Motion® Mini is a powerful, smaller custom ITC instrument built for easy handling, with a standard 312 battery, sleek design and a single push button. Motion Mini is available in the 701, 501 and 301 performance levels.

Motion® EZ is an affordable, instant-fit, ready-to-wear ITC-style hearing instrument. Available from hearing care professionals, Motion EZ requires no impression and is suitable for most wearers, fitting 72 percent of all ear canals. This latest instant-fit ITC is perfect for the first-time hearing aid wearer with mild-to-moderate hearing loss.

Also announced today is Siemens new Pure® Limited Edition (LE), Siemens best-selling receiver-in-canal (RIC) instrument, with an elegant, high-gloss, designer exterior in a high-end matching jewel case. A recent study by the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania identifies a link between hearing loss and brain function and supports the use of hearing aids to preserve a healthy brain and delay the onset of Alzheimer's and dementia. Pure LE is being launched in conjunction with Alzheimer's Awareness Month. During November 2011, with every sale of a Pure LE, Siemens will make a donation to the Alzheimer's Association to support the organization's efforts in finding a cure for Alzheimer's and dementia.

For more information on today's announcements, please visit www.usa.siemens.com/hearing.

About Siemens Healthcare

The Siemens Healthcare Sector is one of the world's largest suppliers to the healthcare industry and a trendsetter in medical imaging, laboratory diagnostics, medical information technology and hearing aids. Siemens offers its customers products and solutions for the entire range of patient care from a single source – from prevention and early detection to diagnosis, and on to treatment and aftercare. By optimizing clinical workflows for the most common diseases, Siemens also makes healthcare faster, better and more cost-effective. Siemens Healthcare employs some 48,000 employees worldwide and operates around the world. In fiscal year 2010 (to September 30), the Sector posted revenue of 12.4 billion euros and profit of around 750 million euros. For further information please visit: www.siemens.com/healthcare.

*www.usa.siemens.com/hearing/clinicalproof

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