TEC Ships New DSD Classic Built in .8u CMOS Process Now in Beta Site Testing for Octavo Product.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 29, 2000

TEC(TM) (the engineering consortium, inc.), announced today that it shipped the first order for its new DSD(R) Classic (Digital ScrewDriver(R)) chip.

Customers of this patented product are in the specialized vertical hearing aid manufacturer market and are particularly concerned with precise performance and flexibility. The Classic improves upon the original DSD that was first shipped in 1995, and has become a standard component in the hearing aid market space, designed into a majority of the digitally programmable aids on the market today and allowing hearing care professionals to program aids for clients, using their office PC, in real time.

The sections of the DSD Classic, which runs on a single battery, include an Active Register, a Serial Data Access port, 4 nonvolatile user Memories, a nonvolatile System Memory, a Memory Select input, and 6 resistor and two switch outputs. This DSD Classic is fully software compatible with existing DSD products. The new IC features:

--   Internal trimming allows a tighter +/- 15% resistor
     specification.

--   Optional automatic detection of the type of DSD chip and OEM
     fitting software.

--   Optional programmable Open or Short during the inactive output
     state.

In addition to the DSD Classic, TEC is commencing the Beta Site Testing stage for the Octavo(TM). The Octavo is an advanced digital programming chip with a rich feature set for use in hearing aids. The most significant feature is the Audio Response Unit (ARU) that provides an audible tone confirmation of memory change.

The Octavo was developed with 8 memories and 8 corresponding tones -- hence the name -- that are audible to the hearing aid user. This chip is capable of programming any analog signal processor through the use of Auxiliary Serial Output (ASO) and digital signal processors as well, using the 1V serial EEPROM. TEC provides free software and support for the HiPro(TM) and MicroCard(TM) programmers for use with this product.

About TEC(R)

Based in Silicon Valley, TEC, Inc. was founded to design, manufacture, and market both custom and proprietary mixed signal integrated circuits. Capitalizing on advanced engineering expertise has resulted in ultra-low voltage (1.1 volt) Smart Analog(TM) ICs for markets as diverse as hearing devices, medical instruments, specialty memory, digital potentiometers, and sensors.

The patented Digital ScrewDriver(R) (DSD) product is used in a variety of hearing instruments allowing hearing care professionals to digitally program them for clients in real time -- significantly elevating customer satisfaction. Nearly 70% of the advanced technology hearing devices currently in design and production will include at least one IC based on TEC custom or proprietary designs. TEC also developed the DSD Support Software.

TEC, Inc. is a privately held company. To learn more about our products and technology, click: www.tec1.com, or send an email to us at: [e-mail].

Note to Editors: Optima-D(TM), Octavo(TM), and Smart Analog(TM) are trademarks of TEC, Inc., all other trademarks are the property of their respective holders.