Nucleus 22 Recipient receives ESPrit 3G on Montel Williams TV Program

For Release: December 19, 2003

Deaf Miss America presents one of the first ESPrit 3Gs to Nucleus 22 recipient

WHERE: The Montel Williams Show

WHEN: Wednesday, December 24, 2003, for times and channels visit: www.MontelShow.com

WHAT: Heather Whitestone touched our hearts when she was crowned Miss America in 1995 and became the first disabled woman to receive this honor. Heather lost her hearing when she was 18 months old. Last year, she made one of the most important decisions of her life - to undergo cochlear implantation and receive a Cochlear Nucleus® 24 Contour™. Over the past year, she has shared her emotional experience with us on national television and we continue to marvel at her courage.

Heather’s decision to get a cochlear implant has allowed her to hear her family’s voices, make further strides in achieving her goals and experience the hearing world. With the new implant, she plans to help raise awareness among the hearing-impaired community about the opportunities available for improving speech and language.

On Wednesday, December 24, Heather will appear on The Montel Williams Show, where she will present a 10-year-old Nucleus 22 recipient with the gift of the season - an ESPrit 3G™ for his Nucleus 22®. Cochlear Americas has donated the device being presented by Heather.

Read more about the release of the ESPrit 3G for Nucleus 22.