HearUSA Introduces AARP Hearing Care Program for Americans Aged 50+ in South Carolina Today

June 9, 2010

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla –  June 9, 2010 –  Designed to help millions ofAmericans aged 50+ who have hearing loss, the AARP Hearing Careprogram, provided by HearUSA (AMEX:EAR) , is being launched in SouthCarolina today as part of a nationwide rollout.

While one in 10 Americans have hearing loss, it is older men and womenwho are much more likely to suffer from this life altering condition.According to the National Institutes of Health, nearly one in fiveadults 45-64 years old; one in three adults 65-74 years old; and half ofall adults 75 years old or older have a hearing impairment.

The program being introduced today is provided by HearUSA, one of thenation’s leading providers of hearing aids and hearing care.

South Carolina residents are among the millions of 50+ Americansnationwide who will have access to the Hearing Care Program, which isexclusively for AARP members and available only through selectedcredentialed hearing healthcare providers.

The program features more affordable state-of-the-art digital hearingaids that are also smaller, smarter and more comfortable than everbefore, said Stephen Hansbrough, CEO and chairman of HearUSA.

Hansbrough added that the program offers uniform pricing and extendedwarranties on hearing aids and related products; thorough testing andevaluation; and all-important best practices hearing rehabilitation(acclimation guidance and support) that far exceed industry standards.

It is anticipated that, by 2011, the HearUSA nationwide network ofapproximately 3,500 credentialed hearing care providers will beavailable to AARP members in all 50 states and the US territories.

Following are the hard facts about hearing loss:

  • Loss of hearing is a serious life issue, a medical condition that isassociated with physical, emotional, mental and social well-being.
  • Among seniors, hearing loss is the most prevalent medical condition,following arthritis and hypertension.
  • Ninety-five percent of all Americans with hearing loss can betreated with hearing aids.
  • However, only one person in five who could benefit from hearing aidsuses them.

This program has been designed to address the concerns and confusionthat are preventing so many from receiving treatment for their hearingloss, said Dr. Cindy Beyer, audiologist and HearUSA senior vicepresident.

For a detailed description of the HearUSA hearing care program for AARPmembers, please visit: http://www.hearusa.com/aarp

About HearUSA

HearUSA is the recognized leader in hearing care for the nation’s topmanaged care organizations through its network of more than 2,000hearing care providers, including 178 company-owned locations. HearUSAis the nation’s only hearing care network accredited by URAC, anindependent, nonprofit health care accrediting organization dedicated topromoting health care quality through accreditation, certification andcommendation. For more information about HearUSA visit www.hearusa.com,or go to www.hearingshop.com for a wide selection of hearing relatedproducts available for purchase online.

About AARP

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helpspeople 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that arebeneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does notendorse candidates for public office or make contributions to eitherpolitical campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, thedefinitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world’s largest-circulationmagazine with over 35.5 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to newssource for AARP’s 40 million members and Americans 50+; AARP SegundaJuventud, the only bilingual U.S. publication dedicated exclusively tothe 50+ Hispanic community; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundationis an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, andempowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands ofvolunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. VirginIslands.

ABOUT AARP SERVICES INC.

AARP Services Inc., founded in 1999, is a wholly-owned taxablesubsidiary of AARP. AARP Services manages the provider relationships forand performs quality control oversight of the wide range of productsand services that carry the AARP name and are made available byindependent providers as benefits to AARP’s almost 40 million members.The provider offers currently span health products, travel and leisureproducts, and life event services. Specific products include Medicaresupplemental insurance; member discounts on rental cars, cruises,vacation packages and lodging; special offers on technology and gifts;pharmacy services; legal services; and long-term care insurance. AARPServices also engages in new product development activities for AARP andprovides certain consulting services to outside companies. In 2005,AARP Services founded AARP Financial Inc., a wholly-owned taxablesubsidiary that manages the provider relationships for and performsquality control oversight for the financial products that carry the AARPname, including credit cards, auto and home, mobile home and motorcycleinsurance, and life insurance and annuities. AARP Financial alsoprovides access to proprietary investment products and services,including mutual funds and financial guidance, designed to meet theneeds of investors at any life stage.