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New Digital Technology Introduced to Enhance Phones
for Hard of Hearing
Nov. 30, 2005 – A leading manufacturer of products
for the hard of hearing announced today a new digital technology that
"will make phone conversations markedly clearer for millions of
individuals." Clarity, a division of Plantronics Inc., introduced
Digital Clarity Power (DCP) to coincide with the December 3 observance
of the UN International Day of Disabled Persons to emphasize the
"enormous impact" the technology will have on individuals around the
world with hearing loss disabilities.
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About one-third
of American senior citizens between the ages of 65 and 74 have
hearing problems. About half the people who are 85 and older
have hearing loss. - National Institute on Aging |
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DCP technology is life-changing for the growing
number of people who are hard of hearing and are unable to communicate
effectively or clearly by telephone, says the company announcement.
Up until now, all standard and amplified telephones
have been analog-based, which means they simply transmit whatever sounds
are broadcast into a receiver. Some phones have used digital signal
processing and digital spread spectrum technology, but not in a way to
make calls easier to hear and understand for hard of hearing users. In
contrast, DCP enabled telephones can distinguish between background
noise and eliminate unwanted sounds from a user's conversations.
"Hearing loss has reached epidemic proportions. In
fact, a recent survey revealed that half of Baby Boomers - over 38
million people in this age group alone - have difficulty hearing," said
Dr. Michael Glasscock, founder of The EAR Foundation, an organization
devoted to hearing loss education, prevention and treatment.
"For these individuals, telephone conversations
have been difficult if not impossible," continued Glasscock. "This DCP
technology is a communications breakthrough, particularly for those with
a moderate to severe hearing loss."
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Many people who experience a hearing loss find
background noise and unwanted sounds can make normal telephone calls
difficult or even impossible to understand. Standard amplified phones
may even compound this problem by amplifying static, sudden sounds and
other distracting noise.
A computer chip inside a DCP powered phone, in
contrast, runs various algorithms to improve listening conditions. For
instance, one algorithm eliminates constant noise, such as air
conditioning or static, creating a clear sound that is more conducive to
conversation.
"DCP makes soft sounds audible and loud sounds
bearable," said Carsten Trads, President of Clarity. "Conversations will
no longer be a chore for people with a hearing loss. Instead of
hesitating to answer the phone, they can now go back to enjoying
conversations with their friends and family."
Digital signal processing technology was first used
in hearing aids in 1987 but the technology took nearly a decade to
revolutionize the hearing aid industry. Today, DSP technology is
considered essential for any user of a hearing aid. Clarity is the first
telephone supplier to incorporate this patent pending technology into
its products and is set to revolutionize the amplified telephone
industry.
"It is time for the next generation of telephones,"
said Trads. "As a leader in the industry, it is important for Clarity to
make this leap and push audio processing technology to its limits. This
is more than just a new phone. It is a technological advancement that
will improve the quality of life for millions of people worldwide.
Additionally, DCP telephones are the first in the world specifically
designed to include settings for those users with and without hearing
aids."
Clarity currently has two phones on the market
featuring the patent pending DCP technology. The corded C2210(TM) and
the cordless C4205(TM) telephones can be purchased from Authorized
Clarity Distributors (Click here to
Harris Commnications Webstore). Clarity plans to release additional
DCP powered products within the next 18 months.
About Clarity
Clarity, a Division of Plantronics Inc. (NYSE:PLT),
is a leading supplier of amplified telephones, notification systems,
assistive listening devices and other communications devices for the
hearing loss and deaf markets. A leader in sound amplification,
Clarity's patent pending technologies, Clarity Power and Digital Clarity
Power, provide customized solutions for customers who otherwise could
not communicate easily and effectively with the outside world. For more
information on DCP technology or about Clarity and its products, please
call 1-800-552-3368 or visit
www.clarityproducts.com.
About Plantronics
In 1969, a Plantronics headset carried the historic
first words from the moon: "That's one small step for man, one giant
leap for mankind." Since then, we've become the headset of choice for
mission-critical applications such as air traffic control, 911 dispatch,
and the New York Stock Exchange. The Plantronics family of brands
includes Plantronics, Altec Lansing, Clarity, and Volume Logic. For more
information, go to
www.plantronics.com or call (800) 544-4660.
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