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Precision manufactures a micro-component for breakthrough hearing technology July 16, 2003 Precision, Inc., has been selected to manufacture the key micro-component for a revolutionary hearing assistance technology announced recently by Able Planet, Inc. of Fort Collins, Colorado. Able Planet's micro-technology creates a direct wireless link between a hearing aid's T-coil and an electronic device such as a phone or headset. Research studies have shown that Able Planet's micro-technology improves the overall frequency response levels of telephones resulting in improved sound clarity. The Able Planet™ micro-technology
is the first new technology to meet the criteria of the Hearing
Aid Compatible (HAC) designation and internal installation in
a telephone, cordless phone, hands-free system, headset, headset
with microphone including for computer audio usage. The result
is a significantly improved audio signal with greater clarity
for the millions of people who have mild-to-severe-to-profound
hearing loss. Precision engineers
at the company's Fort Collins and Minneapolis facilities assisted
Able Planet founders Jo Waldron, who was appointed Disabled American
for the Nation in 1987 by President Reagan, and Dr. Joan Burleigh,
a thirty-year veteran of the audiology industry, on the new technology.
While the technology is proprietary, Precision personnel have
spent several months in research, testing, and product prototyping
with Able Planet. The Able Planet device is about 1 mm in size. It's designed to fit in standard telephones or hands-free headsets such as those used with cellular and cordless phones, multimedia computers, laptops, CD and MP3 players, and many more communication devices. Once installed, the technology is transparent. Those who don't use a hearing aid won't know it's there. But those who do use a hearing aid can take advantage of the technology simply by flipping the switch on their hearing aid to the "T" position and adjusting the volume. Unsuccessful attempts to improve speech recognition have included hearing aid compatible (HAC) headsets, magnetic open-air induction coils, ear silhouettes, volume controls, or neck loops. The results have usually been increased volume with no great improvement in clarity. The Able Planet technology creates audio within a hearing aid and an electronic device such as a phone or headset. Several study
participants who had been unable to use traditional HAC-enhanced
telephone handsets successfully used a phone equipped with the
Able Planet technology. Precision is
manufacturing the Able Planet technology and has capacity for
high-volume production. Precision, Inc. has been recognized along
with Able Planet, Inc. in media coverage in numerous national
newspapers and the Wall Street Reporter. # # # # Contact information for editors: Precision: Lyle Shaw Fred Pielert Able Planet: Christine Turner # # #
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