Description and Rationale for the Unique Insta-Fit, Multi-Use, Electronic "In-the-Ear" E.A.R. MiniCanal (Analog and Digital)

Introduction
After participating for over 30 years in the electronic hearing enhancement and protection market, E.A.R., Inc. (www.earinc.com) is pleased to announce the introduction of its new Insta-Fit "E.A.R. MiniCanal". This product comes with state of the art technology for both ANALOG and DIGITAL circuitry. The purpose of this review is to respond to the many consumer questions that arrive to our office daily and describe the rationale behind the development of these very unique hearing products. One of the concerns we recognized were consumers paying $800 - $3000 for electronic ear plugs and basically getting only ONE USE from them. After 3 years of research and marketing the E.A.R. MiniCanal is proving to be a sensible and affordable choice to those seeking high quality hearing enhancement with more than one use. (ie. Shooting, Hunting, Law Enforcement, Range Commands, Dentistry, Social Activities, Business meetings, and much more.)

1. First... describe the basic specifications for the new E.A.R. Analog and Digital MiniCanals.
The E.A.R. Mini-Canals are small, highly sophisticated electronic assistive listening devices that fit securely and comfortably into the ear canal. They come with patented ear tips (small, medium, or large... vented or unvented) and include a built-in wax guard. According to the factory, over 290,000 units incorporating this design were marketed as hearing aids with less than a two percent return. These statistics are similar to the current results experienced by E.A.R., Inc.

E.A.R. Mini-Canal™ (Analog) Specifications
Maximum Output	108 dB
Compression Point	74 dB
Frequency Range	200 Hz - 5500 Hz
Battery Size	10
Estimated Battery Life	170-210 hours
Warranty	1 year
Color	Hunter Tan
Frequency Potentiometer	YES
Adjustable Volume Control	YES

E.A.R. Mini-Canal™ (Digital) Specifications
Maximum Output	108dB
Compression Point	64 dB
Frequency Range	200 Hz - 6300 Hz
Battery Size	10
Estimated Battery Life	140-170 hours
Warranty	1 year
Color	Red/Blues
Adjustable Volume Control	YES*

*Delayed "ON" switch permits a 4 - 5 second delay before unit comes "ON" after insertion. This feature allows user to adjust unit for proper fit before it amplifies sound.

Attenuation (Sound Suppression)
500 Hz	25 dB
1000 Hz	31 dB
2000 Hz	33.5 dB
4000 Hz	35 dB

2. What does this product cost?
$595 per set for Analog and $900 Per set for DIGITAL Basic. Note: When sold in some foreign countries price may vary to cover importation and shipping.

3. Can a person buy just one unit?
Yes. Pricing will be $297.00 for Analog and $475.00 for Digital 2 Basic.

4. If client does not like the unit is there a privilege to return?
Clients can return product to their authorized outlet within 30 days for a full refund or have them upgraded to custom units at an additional charge.

5. Tell me about the new OPTIONAL, COMBO-MOLD for the MiniCanal.
Many customers who prefer custom molds asked if it were possible to make a custom mold for the MiniCanal, instead of using adjustable tips. After researching this project we developed a custom earmold with a cavity in the side that would snugly house the MINI-CANAL. We also put acoustic filters into the ear canal of the COMBO-MOLD so it could be used independently as an ear protector when the MiniCanal was removed. This option appeals to several users who wanted the versatility of having a custom earmold in addition to using the MiniCanal with a standard tips. Cost for the Combo-Mold is $140.00 set.

6. What is the rationale behind the E.A.R. MiniCanal design?
Today the latest step toward full customization for in-the-ear hearing aids (and now electronic ear plugs) include a standardized housing (shell) mated with soft flexible ear tips of various sizes. This choice of manufacturing benefits the consumer by containment of expensive fittings for earmold impressions, and virtually eliminates remakes due to weight changes or other anatomical changes in the ear. With Insta-Fit MiniCanals, poorly fit devices that might otherwise require a week to remake at the factory can be corrected in a matter of minutes by simply changing the ear tip at a fraction of the cost.

Another advantage to this procedure is that it permits the client to share his or her device with another person by simply replacing the ear tips. This cannot be done with custom units. This reason alone helps law enforcement or military officers who prefer to purchase equipment that can be assigned to other officers.

And finally the other rationale for the E.A.R. MiniCanal is the design permits each client to position a high quality electronic device into the ear where it is not conspicuous, nor in the way of glasses or long hair. This design is the preferred choice over behind the ear models which can be more difficult to use in active sports or professional activities.

7. Does the Insta-Fit design of the E.A.R. MiniCanal imply low tech electronics?
Absolutely not. Low grade electronics were not even a consideration in developing the E.A.R. MiniCanal series. E.A.R. and its manufacturing advisors chose some of the most highly sophisticated ANALOG and DIGITAL circuits available to the hearing health care field. This would enable the end user to experience high quality performance when the units were being used recreationally, socially, TV, church, meetings or business.

8. What is the difference between ANALOG and DIGITAL?
a. Conventional Analog... This has been considered the backbone to the hearing aid industry technology for over 50 years. High quality analog circuits can be digitally programmed to amplify available sound with minimal distortion and should be considered when operating under a budget.

b. Digital... Small computer chips are designed to concert ambient sounds into digital sounds. These circuits are then manipulated to provide clear, crisp, natural sounds without sounding mechanical. Digital technology is considered superior to analog technology. In fact, many experts say, DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY IS NOT THE FUTURE ANYMORE... IT IS THE PRESENT!

Advantages include:

• Offers more programming possibilities.
• Better sound quality (Not mechanical... more natural.)
• Can incorporate feedback reduction.
• Can sample sounds up to 20,000 times per second.
• Can be programmed to reduce unwanted background sounds.
  (For example this is what we did with the second memory on the digital E.A.R. MiniCanal.)

Note: Many manufacturing companies for hearing aids are beginning make a strong shift toward producing DIGITAL units only.

9. In what situations have you used the MiniCanals?
I have carried my MiniCanals (DIGITAL and ANALOG) almost everywhere I go and have used them for shooting, hunting, watching TV, social situations and meetings. In all cases I was extremely pleased with the end results. Because of my mild high frequency hearing loss I now prefer the digital units, however find the analogs extremely efficient. Initially I had to learn to turn the volume down when walking and also change the unvented tips to the vented tips for social situations. This helped reduce the occlusion effect of hearing my voice louder when speaking.

During the 2003 U.S. Open and National Competition for Sporting Clays I wore them (analog and digital) on the firing line and they exceeded my expectations. I was well satisfied the engineers had performed an excellent job to develop a new state of the art product for both hearing enhancement and protection. The DIGITAL units were awesome and easy to use.

I might mention that during social situations, watching TV I chose to use only one unit in my left ear where I have a mild high frequency hearing loss. This was extremely effective. I was able to control the volume with my index finger to fit the listening situation.

10. Explain the importance of the patented ear tips.
It is extremely critical that adjustable ear tips be used with a MiniCanal device to protect the unit from excessive wax. Our patented ear tips provide this feature without any problems in addition to help reducing excessive feedback.

Another advantage is our tips are extremely comfortable and can continually modify their shape in the ear to accommodate changes due to head, neck and jaw movement. This constant flexibility provides REAL-TIME customization to the dynamic ear canal that other materials cannot accomplish.

Conclusion
E.A.R.'s new generation of electronic ear plugs bring new excitement to the market place with multiple uses at affordable prices. We invite you to visit a local provider or contact E.A.R. Inc. at info@earinc.com or call 303-447-2619 or 1-800-525-2690.