Washington, DC, July 2004 – Cochlear Americas®, manufacturer of the Nucleus® line of cochlear implants, has joined the Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (AG Bell) in its educational efforts by becoming a founding member of the Circle Alliance Partnership.

The partnership, which is being funded through a substantial, multi-year contribution from Cochlear Americas, will aim to provide the hearing loss community, including educators and clinicians, with information and resources that promote listening and talking.

"Cochlear Americas is delighted to join the efforts of AG Bell and become a founding member of the Circle Alliance Partnership," said Susan Van Horne, Vice President, Marketing, Cochlear Americas. "This partnership provides a unique opportunity to reach out to the hearing health community with the information and resources available to encourage oral language skills".

• The primary objective of the Circle Alliance Partnership program is to increase awareness
• Language options for people with hearing loss around the world.
• Cochlear Americas and AG Bell will co-develop educational materials resources for health care professionals.

"Learning to listen and speak with a profound hearing loss requires a great deal of habilitation and community support," added Van Horne. "Through this partnership, Cochlear Americas hopes not only to help raise awareness of the options available for developing spoken language but provide the resources needed in order to achieve success."

"AG Bell appreciates the leadership and support from Cochlear Americas as—together—we expand opportunities for children and adults who are deaf or hard of hearing to achieve greater independence." said K. Todd Houston, Ph.D., Executive Director/CEO, AG Bell. "The Circle Alliance Partnership enables AG Bell to collaborate with Cochlear Americas and other companies in the hearing health industry to significantly impact and influence."

Susan Van Horne
Vice President, Marketing
Cochlear Americas 303-524-7103 (V)

Garrett Yate
Dir of Corporate and Foundation Relations
Alexander Grahma Bell Assoc. for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing
www.AGBell.org