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New Phone Technology Helps Millions With Hearing Loss Hear More Clearly Than Ever Before

Clarity Launches First Digital Signal Processing Technology for Amplified Telephones

Chattanooga, Tennessee – Clarity, a division of Plantronics Inc. (NYSE:PLT), a leading supplier of communications products for the Hard of Hearing community, today unveiled Digital Clarity Power, DCP™, a digital signal processing technology that will make phone conversations markedly clearer for millions of individuals worldwide.

Clarity timed the announcement to coincide with the December 3 observance of the UN International Day of Disabled Persons to emphasize the enormous impact DCP technology will have on individuals around the world with hearing loss disabilities.   

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.  Up until this point, 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.”

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™ and the cordless C4205™ telephones can be purchased from Authorized Clarity Distributors or on Clarity’s website at www.clarityproducts.com.   Clarity plans to release additional DCP powered products within the next 18 months. 

For more information on DCP technology or about Clarity and its products, please call 1-800-552-3368 or visit www.clarityproducts.com.

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.  As more people begin to address their hearing needs, Clarity will continue to provide effective technologies that are simple and easy to use.  The company began in 1969 as a telecommunications manufacturer, and was acquired in 1986 by Plantronics, Inc., a leading provider of headsets to business and individual consumers worldwide.

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.  Today, this history of Sound Innovation™ is the basis for every product we build for the office, contact center, personal mobile, entertainment and residential markets. 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.

Amplifying Your Life, the amplification logo, Altec Lansing, Clarity, Clarity Digital Power, Clarity Power, DCP, the DCP logo design, Digital Clarity Power, Plantronics, Plantronics Sound Innovation and Volume Logic are trademarks or registered trademarks of Plantronics, Inc.