First Hybrid Cochlear Implant Recipient

For Release: January 8, 2004

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Christine Froias
Kovak·Likly Communications
(203) 762-8833

MEDIA ALERT

FIRST HYBRID COCHLEAR IMPLANT RECIPIENT IN CALIFORNIA WILL HEAR IN THE NEW YEAR

WHAT: For the past seven years, Arthur Gardner, 56 of Danville, CA, has had a very difficult time hearing. However, thanks to a new category of cochlear implants, Arthur is welcoming the prospect of significantly improved hearing in the New Year.

Arthur is the first person in California to be surgically implanted with a new category of cochlear implant technology designed to assist those with high pitch hearing loss who need more than a traditional hearing aid. Roughly 1.25 million, or one in 200 Americans, may benefit from this new device. With this technology, Arthur will wear both a Phonak in-the-ear (ITE) digital hearing aid coupled with the new Cochlear Nucleus® Hybrid™ cochlear implant and speech processor. These technologies are applied in concert to the same ear to improve sound perception for patients by capturing the unique and distinct advantages of conventional digital amplification and electrical stimulation of the auditory system.

Traditional cochlear implants bypass damaged hair cells in the inner ear, providing useful hearing and improved communication to those with severe to profound hearing loss in both ears and who receive little or no benefit from hearing aids. The new Cochlear Nucleus Hybrid cochlear implant is currently undergoing FDA sanctioned investigational trials and is designed for patients with normal or near-normal hearing in the low pitch range and severe to profound loss in the high pitch range. Patients who are considered candidates for this new device do not benefit sufficiently from hearing aids. With the development of the new Cochlear Nucleus Hybrid hearing technology, the number of people who will benefit from cochlear implantation is expected to double.

You are invited to attend the activation of the first Cochlear Nucleus hybrid cochlear implant in California. You can also witness Arthur’s reactions when his new device is turned on for the first time on January 13, 2004. Arthur, his surgeon, Joseph Roberson, M.D. and his audiologist, Becky Highlander, M.A., CCC-A will be available for interview.

WHEN: Tuesday, January 13, 2004 2:30 p.m.

WHERE: California Ear Institute
1900 University Avenue, Suite 101
East Palo Alto, CA 94303

WHO: Joseph Roberson, M.D., surgeon, California Ear Institute
Becky Highlander, M.A., CCC-A, audiologist, California Ear Institute
Arthur Gardner, Cochlear Nucleus Hybrid cochlear implant recipient

www.californiaearinstitute.com

About Arthur Gardner

Arthur Gardner had a significant loss of his hearing ability at the age of 49. The cause was never identified but is believed to be genetic in origin. Although Arthur has relied upon the use of hearing aids alone, he has derived diminishing and now minimal benefit from their use. Currently, he depends largely on email and other forms of written communication to communicate with those around him.

As Senior Vice President of Sales at Dorfman Pacific, Arthur’s responsibilities include attending trade shows, meetings, social engagements and telephone conversations, all of which have become increasingly difficulty due to his hearing loss. A strong desire to regain the ability to participate in these activities, in addition to improving his family life with his grandchildren, has prompted him to explore options for improving his hearing such as cochlear implantation.

After discussing his options with Joseph Roberson, M.D., Arthur decided to participate in an investigational trial for the Cochlear Nucleus Hybrid cochlear implant. He is hoping that the device will help improve his ability to interact with his family and co-workers as well as give him the confidence he has lacked due to his hearing loss.

About Cochlear Nucleus Hybrid Cochlear Implant Investigational Study

The study, consisting of up to 25 adults, will be conducted in seven investigational sites. Participants will be studied over a two-year period and must have acquired their hearing loss after learning to speak.

Additionally, candidates must meet hearing test and word recognition requirements, speak English as a primary language and must be 18 years of age or older at the time of implantation.

For additional information on the Cochlear Nucleus technology, call the California Ear Institute at
650/494-1000 or the Cochlear Nucleus® Hotline at 800/458-4999 (Voice) or 800/483-3123 (TTY).

About California Ear Institute

The California Ear Institute is a world-renowned center for treatment of disorders of hearing, balance, and the cranial base. In its 35th year, CEI has offices in 3 Bay Area locations: San Ramon, San Jose, and Palo Alto, California. The Cochlear Implant Center at CEI has experience with over 1000 patients and has participated in all clinical trials in the expanding world of cochlear implants since their initial release for patients in the United States.

About Cochlear Americas

Denver-based Cochlear Americas is the U.S. headquarters for Cochlear Limited, the world leader in cochlear implant technology. Cochlear is a winner of the 2001 Medical Design Excellence Awards for its design of the Cochlear Nucleus® 24 Contour™ cochlear implant and the FDA Commissioner’s Special Citation for the development and commercialization of the Cochlear Nucleus® 24 Multichannel Auditory Brainstem implant. To date, more than 50,000 people worldwide have received Cochlear Nucleus® cochlear implants. For more information about Cochlear’s products, call the Cochlear Nucleus Hotline at 800/458-4999 (Voice) or 800/483-3123 (TTY) or visit the website at www.cochlear.com.