Sonomax United Kingdom Distributor Announces Accolade, New Sonomax System Wins Prestigious Industry Award: Hagemeyer picks up BSIF accolade at the Safety & Health Expo.

MONTREAL -- Sonomax Hearing Healthcare, Inc.'s (TSX VENTURE:SSH) exclusive Sonomax Solution distributor in the U.K., Hagemeyer, released the following media information about the prestigious Product Innovation Award presented to Sonomax and Hagemeyer at the May 17 Safety & Health Expo in Birmingham, England.

Hagemeyer Environmental Health & Safety is celebrating the resounding success of its new Sonomax hearing protection system, after picking up the much sought after Innovation Award at the recent Safety & Health Expo in Birmingham.

Sponsored by the British Safety Industry Foundation (BSIF), the coveted award was presented to Hagemeyer, who fought off stiff competition from 11 other finalists - including major manufacturers such as Centurion, Posturite and RoSPA.

Eight prestigious figureheads were involved in the judging process. These included Godric Jolliffe, editor of Health and Safety Practitioner, John Howard OBE, CEO of RoSPA, Michael Clapham MP, chairman of the MP's All Party Group on Occupational Safety, Allan St John Holt, head of safety at the Royal Mail, Hugh Robertson, senior policy officer, TUC, Ivor Harris, CEO of Safety Services Ltd and representatives from BSIF - Sir John Cullen, President and Geoff Hooke, Secretary General, who both also presented the award.

All submissions for the award were studied by the judges against specific criteria. To win the award, the product had to demonstrate that it was unique in concept, design or performance, that it uses new technology, contributes towards improvements in occupational health and safety and assists in the reduction of occupational accidents or injuries.

The judges felt that Sonomax fulfilled these prerequisites with the highest ability. Sonomax is a truly unique hearing protection system that has acoustic filters, able to eliminate 'toxic noise' dangers whilst still permitting the user to carry on normal conversations. Each system is custom fitted to the wearer and adapted by a computer software process to the noise level exposure of the employee.

Hearing protection continues to be a major issue in the health and safety industry, with up to 81,000 employees reporting hearing problems due to work in the UK in 2003/2004. Recent research estimates that 170,000(i) people in the UK suffer deafness, tinnitus or other ear conditions as a result of exposure to excessive noise in the workplace.

Sonomax is the first hearing product which can be qualitatively and quantitatively tested for measurable hearing protection. Allowing safe noise into the ear, the Sonomax system lasts for three years which will lead to a reduction in waste, usually produced by disposable plugs.

Following the launch at the Expo, Hagemeyer has received enormous support for this groundbreaking new product, attracting the attention of a number of large organisations, ranging from Formula 1 to the music industry - which is working to promote hearing protection for young people attending concerts. Backed by a worldwide network, Hagemeyer is the exclusive supplier of Sonomax to the health and safety industry.

Brian Powell, general manager of Hagemeyer's Health and Safety Division, says, "Sonomax is completely exclusive to Hagemeyer in the UK and is an example of our ability to attract suppliers of market-leading products. Winning the Innovation Award is testimony to the outstanding hearing protection benefits that this product can bring.

"The launch of the new range has been nothing but a success and many significant blue chip companies are interested in the benefits it can bring to their businesses. Hearing protection has traditionally been uncomfortable, ineffective and in the case of disposable plugs - the same size and shape for every worker regardless of the level of noise exposure. Sonomax offers a solution to all of these problems, whilst helping businesses save money and reduce waste."

Hagemeyer Environmental Health and Safety is a division of Hagemeyer (NV), one of the world's largest distributors of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) operating in 26 countries worldwide. Bringing the widest range of Environmental, Health & Safety products from the world's leading manufacturers, it also operates a number of highly specialist operations supplying maintenance, repair and operation (MRO) equipment in other industries such as oil & gas, security and control & automation.

Supported by national distribution brands including Newey & Eyre, WF Electrical, Parker Merchanting, Hagemeyer Service Centres and Ross Oil & Gas in the UK, the business also provides fully integrated supply solutions to major blue chip companies.

The company is committed to offering groundbreaking products that you won't find anywhere else on the market, and its product ranges are testimony to its ability to attract suppliers of innovative, market-leading products. Sonomax is just one example of this capability.

For further information, please contact Leanda Heaton ([e-mail]) or Fiona Kendall ([e-mail]) on 0113 230 4000.

(i) www.hse.gov.uk

Sonomax Hearing Healthcare Inc. (TSX VENTURE:SHH)