Panasonic Digital Hearing Instruments Now Available in the U.S. Hearing Care Market

SECAUCUS, N.J., Aug. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Panasonic Corporation of North America, today announced that Panasonic Hearing instruments have been delivered to the U.S. market.  The company is debuting three types of digital hearing instruments, including a new form factor that resembles the style of an MP3 player, a receiver-in-canal and behind-the-ear models.  Panasonic is currently establishing a distribution network throughout the U.S.

"We are thrilled to bring three new Panasonic digital hearing instruments to the U.S. and make products available from a brand that is associated with quality sound.  Panasonic digital hearing instruments deliver the same high-quality, reliability, and innovation that our customers have grown to appreciate from our audio products.  We manufacture our own digital signal processors and have developed a unique algorithm to enable precise sound reproduction," said Yoshi Yuasa, Senior Vice President, Panasonic Corporation of North America. "Panasonic is known as one of the leaders in acoustic science, and is committed to provide innovative hearing solutions through advanced technology."

Panasonic digital hearing instruments are designed for the patient and provide the features, convenience and performance requested by hearing care professionals and their patients.  They are attractive, comfortable to wear, easy to use and have a unique circuit design for high performance and long battery life.

Panasonic introduces the JZ Series, a newly-styled digital hearing instrument that resembles the style of an MP3 player.  This palm-sized unit features an LCD screen and a stereo binaural headset (earphone with microphones), created for increased usability and designed to be comfortable for long hours of wear.      

The JZ Series is ideal for individuals with dexterity challenges, impaired vision and those with situational hearing loss, such as when watching TV.  This digital hearing instrument features a Scene Select function that allows the user to view the listening modes on the LCD screen and select the most appropriate mode based upon the surrounding environment from the four modes available.  This unit includes a rechargeable battery that can easily be charged by placing the main unit in the charging cradle.  Alternatively, the JZ Series can also use commercial AAA alkaline batteries.

The Panasonic 4-Series is a Receiver-in-Canal (RIC) digital hearing instrument that is the smallest of Panasonic's three introductions.  The stylish waveform design and small size of the device make it possible for it to be worn discreetly behind the ear.  The RIC provides a comfortable open fit solution for patients with mild to moderately severe hearing loss.

The Panasonic 2-Series is a Standard Behind-the-Ear (BTE) digital hearing instrument that integrates Panasonic's advanced digital signal processing technologies and is designed for moderate to severe hearing loss.

Panasonic 2-Series and 4-Series digital hearing instruments both feature Dual Focus technology that integrates noise reduction and directivity control to improve the accuracy of analyzing noise components.  Dual Focus suppresses noises coming from the rear and sides.  Accordingly, the focus is on voice communication coming from the front producing comfortable hearing conditions and optimizing speech intelligibility.

"Panasonic is delighted to introduce digital hearing instruments line to the U.S. market, and we are currently planning a wide-spread rollout working with customers who embrace our vision for the hearing care business," said Delain D. Wright, Director of Sales, Panasonic Corporation of North America, Healthcare Group. "With the power of the Panasonic brand, and our innovative technologies, Panasonic is committed to being the preferred manufacturer for the independent hearing care professionals. We will work with professionals who know how to use the power of the brand to grow the market with us".

To find out more about Panasonic digital hearing instruments, including features and specifications, please visit: www.panasonic.com/hearing.  To become a distributor or provider of Panasonic Hearing Instruments, please call 1-888-422-6309 to learn more.

About Panasonic

Based in Secaucus, NJ, Panasonic Corporation of North America provides a broad line of digital and other electronics products for consumer, business and industrial use. The company is the principal North American subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation (NYSE: PC), and the hub of Panasonic's U.S. branding, marketing, sales, service and R&D operations. Panasonic is pledged to practice prudent, sustainable use of the earth's natural resources and protect our environment through the company's Eco Ideas programs. Information about Panasonic and its products is available at www.panasonic.com. Additional company information for journalists is available at www.panasonic.com/pressroom.

About Panasonic's Healthcare Group

Panasonic Corporation of North America's newly formed Healthcare Group brings together Panasonic's expertise in a wide range of health and medical device technologies, including hearing care. For more information, visit www.panasonic.com/hearing.

SOURCE Panasonic