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Walker Ameriphone Unveils New Cordless Telephone Solution for Millions with Hearing Loss

Walker Ameriphone Unveils New Cordless Telephone Solution for Millions with Hearing Loss

10.20.03 - Chattanooga, Tennessee

Walker Ameriphone, a division of Plantronics, Inc. (NYSE: PLT) and a champion of technological innovation for people with hearing loss, has introduced the Clarity® 435, a sleek cordless phone that makes telephone conversations clearer and easier to understand for the millions of Americans with mild to moderate hearing loss.

The Clarity 435 features a discreet design and a stand up base that makes the telephone appear less like a hearing device and more like a standard cordless phone, allowing users to feel more comfortable about addressing their hearing loss.

"Our mission is to improve the quality of life for the millions of individuals with hearing loss," said Carsten Trads, president of Walker Ameriphone. "For many people, hearing loss is a very personal issue. To provide those individuals with the best solution, we created the Clarity 435 - a phone that allows people who are confronting hearing loss to have clear and understandable conversations with the important people in their life."

Utilizing Walker Ameriphone's signature Clarity® Power™ Technology, the Clarity 435 amplifies incoming, high frequency sounds, up to 30 dB, that are commonly missed by men and women who suffer from hearing loss. Typically, standard telephones amplify all sounds during a conversation. Since neither high nor low frequencies are accentuated, the sound is not clear. Clarity Power is the first technology in the telecommunications industry to go beyond standard volume control assistance. The Clarity 435 features a single control that enables the user to adjust both volume and tone based on the degree of his or her hearing loss.

In addition, the Clarity 435 has a bright visual ringer, 10 memory keys, 3 one touch programmable emergency help buttons and a large lighted key pad making it easy to dial, even in the dark. The Clarity 435 is also hearing aid compatible.

The Clarity 435 can be purchased by calling Walker Ameriphone at 1-800-552-3368. For more information about Walker Ameriphone and its hearing loss communication products, visit www.mywalker.com.

About Walker Ameriphone
Walker Ameriphone, a Division of Plantronics Inc., is a leading manufacturer of amplified telephone products, delivering telecommunications solutions for the hearing impaired, special needs, handset and test set markets. A frontrunner in amplifying sound, Walker Ameriphone's solutions are found in consumer telephone products and custom applications requiring a superior sound experience. As more people begin to address their hearing needs, Walker Ameriphone will continue to provide effective solutions that are simple and easy to use. The company began in 1969 as a telecommunications manufacturer and was acquired in 1986 by Plantronics, a leading provider of headsets to the business community and consumers worldwide.

About Plantronics
Plantronics, Inc. (NYSE: PLT) introduced the first lightweight communications headset in 1962 and is recognized as the world leader in communications headsets. Already the number one supplier of communications headsets in the call center market, Plantronics has expanded into the office, residential, mobile/cellular and computer audio market segments. The publicly held company, headquartered in Santa Cruz, CA, was founded in 1961 and maintains offices in 19 countries with more than 2,200 employees.

Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties, including the statements above concerning future growth in market opportunities and the success of the Walker Ameriphone Division of Plantronics, Inc. in meeting those market opportunities. Those statements are based on current information and expectations and there are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by any such statements. These risks include, but are not limited to: the overall level of demand for the company's products; the actions of existing and/or new competitors, especially with regard to pricing and promotional programs; continuity of component supply at costs consistent with the company's plans; and the success of the company's new product development efforts. Walker Ameriphone, a Division of Plantronics, Inc., and Plantronics, Inc. disclaim any obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of developments occurring after the date of this release.