News Release

Discrete free self-administered iPhone™ and iPod touch® hearing assessment now available in German

Kitchener, Ontario, Canada –April 6, 2010 - Following the successful launch of uHear™, Unitron today announced the application is now available worldwide in German. uHear continues to be one of the top free medical download applications on iTunes. To date more than 400,000 people have taken advantage of uHear and taken the first step towards better hearing.

Despite widespread concern about the impact of hearing loss on their quality of life, over 75% of people suffering with hearing loss do not wear a hearing aid, according to statistics published by RNID, the largest charity in the UK tackling hearing loss. Unitron and hearing healthcare professionals are attempting to change these numbers with the introduction of uHearDe.

16 million people in Germany suffer from hearing loss to some degree. And while hearing loss has a significant impact on quality of life, the process of getting your hearing tested can cause significant anxiety and as a result, is often ignored for years. Recent surveys have seen results of adults waiting more than 10 years ii between hearing tests. Additionally, 13% ii of respondents never had their hearing tested.

“Hearing loss affects communications and social interaction. Those with hearing difficulties may shy away social situations and events, often becoming angry and embarrassed,” says Kilian Hammler, Hearing Health Care Professional from Berlin. “It’s important to discover hearing loss early so it can be treated. Simple applications such as uHear provide a discreet way for people to assess themselves and see if a visit to an audiologist is needed.”

Available as a free self-administered screening test, uHear helps users identify potential hearing loss through three assessments: Hearing Sensitivity, Speech in Noise, and a Questionnaire about common listening situations. Easy to use, uHear is designed to help users overcome this anxiety and serve as a first step towards identifying and addressing hearing loss. uHear also offers a ‘Locate’ function to help find the nearest Hearing Health Care Professional if you detect you have a hearing loss.

The German iPhone™ and iPod touch® application can be downloaded free of charge through the Apple iTunes store: http://itunes.com/apps/uhearde

About uHear™
Designed by Unitron, uHear™ is a hearing loss screening test which enables you to test your hearing on your own time, in your own space. uHear helps you assess whether your hearing is within normal range, through any one or all three of the following tests: Hearing Sensitivity, Speech in Noise and a Common Listening situations questionnaire.

About Unitron
Unitron is a global innovator of technologically advanced hearing instruments. We care deeply about people with hearing loss and work closely with hearing healthcare professionals to make advanced, purpose-driven solutions available to everyone. Headquartered in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada; Unitron, a member of the Sonova Group, meets the needs of customers through 16 international offices and through distributors in a further 53 countries. For more information, please visit us on the web at unitron.com/de.

Contact information:
Ann Marie Lang
Corporate Media Relations
(519) 895-0100 ext. 2104
annmarie.lang@unitron.com

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