Siemens Pioneers Wireless Communication Creating the World's Only True Binaural Hearing System.

PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- e2e wireless(TM) Technology Synchronizes Both Hearing Instruments to Create the Best Possible Listening Experience for Individuals with Hearing Loss

Siemens Hearing Instruments, Inc. - the leader and pioneer of wireless synchronization in hearing technology - announces the availability of ACURIS, the world's most technologically advanced binaural hearing system that can deliver remarkable hearing performance with a new level of ease, simplicity and comfort to the more than 28 million Americans with hearing loss.

For the first time, ACURIS's cutting-edge, proprietary ear-to-ear (e2e) wireless(TM) technology enables the left and right hearing instruments to communicate with each other and function as one binaural hearing system, thereby creating a level of synchronization never before possible in hearing instruments. Included within all ACURIS models, e2e wireless synchronizes the system's advanced digital processing and wearer controls.

"Previously, individuals wore two hearing instruments that functioned independently of each other which lead to additional effort on the wearer's part," said Dr. Thomas Powers, Chief Research Officer at Siemens Hearing Instruments. "ACURIS is the first truly binaural hearing system because the instruments in both ears communicate and exchange vital information to optimize instrument settings, such as volume control and listening program, for the wearer's listening environment."

About 80% of people with hearing loss would benefit from hearing instruments in both ears. According to the American Academy of Audiology, hearing sounds with both ears, called binaural listening, is superior to monaural (one-eared) listening. When individuals with hearing loss are fitted with a hearing device in only one ear, the quality of hearing is often compromised. ACURIS's synchronous binaural hearing instruments give the wearer improved hearing performance resulting in better sound quality, localization ability and speech understanding.

Unlike independently operated hearing instruments, ACURIS's e2e wireless technology controls the processing between the left and right hearing instrument to deliver the benefits of binaural hearing. This technology enables the instruments to exchange vital information about the wearer's noise surroundings and automatically adjust for optimal hearing in any situation. The two hearing instruments constantly work together to make decisions regarding speech and noise settings to ensure that the wearer receives the best sound from both instruments similar to that of natural hearing.

ACURIS automatically adjusts itself to the wearer's listening environment, but if desired, synchronized controls allow wearers to adjust the volume or program for both ears with a single adjustment to only one instrument. For In-the-Ear custom-made models, this allows the manufacture of smaller instruments because volume and program controls can be separated between the two instruments making it easier for the wearer to distinguish between the controls when making adjustments. This is particularly important for hearing instrument wearers with dexterity problems or decreased touch sensitivity.

In 2003, the global hearing instrument market was estimated at $2 billion. Long-term revenue growth for the industry is estimated at 4-7% according to Piper-Jaffray research analysts. According to The Hearing Journal, the number of hearing instruments sold in 2003-2004 was up 11.8% from the previous year. Digital Signal Processing (DSP) dominated hearing instrument sales, accounting for 79.5% of all devices sold in the first quarter of 2004, up from 58% in the first quarter of 2003.

About Siemens

Siemens Hearing Instruments, part of Siemens Medical Solutions, is one of the leading manufacturers of hearing instruments in the United States. Headquartered in Piscataway, New Jersey, the Company offers a range of innovative products, solutions and services to Hearing Care Professionals across the United States. Among its innovative products, the Company designs and manufactures a variety of digital hearing aids in all styles to improve the quality of life for individuals with hearing loss. Visit www.usa.siemens.com/hearing for more information. Siemens Medical Solutions of Siemens AG (NYSE: SI) with headquarters in Malvern, Pennsylvania and Erlangen, Germany, is one of the largest suppliers to the healthcare industry in the world. The Company is known for bringing together innovative medical technologies, healthcare information systems, management consulting, and support services, to help customers achieve tangible, sustainable, clinical and financial outcomes. Employing approximately 31,000 people worldwide and operating in more than 120 countries, Siemens Medical Solutions reported sales of 7.4 billion EUR, orders of 7.8 billion EUR and group profit of 1.1 billion EUR for fiscal 2003.