Siemens Hearing Instruments Introduces Longer-Lasting, Rechargeable “Ric” Instruments and Miniature Bluetooth Remote Control

Chicago, April 6, 2011 – Siemens Hearing Instruments, Inc., (www.usa.siemens.com/hearing) unveiled a host of products at the American Academy of Audiology AudiologyNOW! 2011 conference.

Pure® Carat – Takes the widely accepted small RIC (Receiver-in-Canal) Pure to a new level. With a rechargeable, larger-size 13 battery, it delivers longer-lasting power and allows for more powerful receivers. New AutoPhone® and Telecoil make phone calls easier, and a programmable toggle switch for volume control and program selection brings added user convenience. The result is discretion with longer-lasting life, higher-power options for more severe hearing loss, hassle-free handling and wireless connectivity.

Pure® Special Edition – The smallest RIC from Siemens. Features BestSound Technology and a 10A battery to minimize instrument size. Pure Special Edition is available in the BestSound technology 501 and 701 performance levels and comes in two sophisticated, metallic-accented colors.

i Mini™ – Invisible and individually hand-crafted to perfection, the iMini is the smallest custom instrument from Siemens. iMini features BestSound Technology in performance level 701 and is designed to sit comfortably and deeply in the ear canal. iMini can be produced with iScan™ – our innovative in-office impression scanner that makes ordering custom products on-line, accurate, and simple. iMini is elegantly designed and available in 12 jewel-inspired colors.

miniTekTM– The ultramodern, super-small Bluetooth® wireless miniTek is a remote control and stereo streamer that allows Siemens hearing instruments with e2e wireless® 2.0 to connect wirelessly to TV, cell phones, MP3 players, computers, and other enabled devices. Users can answer phone calls, listen to TV without disturbing others, or stream music from an MP3 player. It features Direct Audio Input (DAI) for FM receivers, easy access to T-coil, and other functions. All this without compromising the aesthetics in a miniature high-end remote that weighs less than two ounces and fits in a small pocket. Able to access multiple devices with just a touch, miniTek connects to two transmitters simultaneously for greater flexibility, and works with an optional automobile charger.

2Siemens ranked No.1 in a Vanderbilt University study comparing feedback-free real-ear insertion gain for 6 open-fitted receiver-incanal hearing instruments. Source: Ricketts, TA 2010

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.