WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., Oct. 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Designed to help millions of Americans aged 50+ who have untreated hearing loss, the AARP Hearing Care program, provided by HearUSA (AMEX:EAR), is being launched in Florida today as part of the initial phase of a nationwide rollout. While one in 10 Americans have hearing loss, it is older men and women who are much more likely to suffer from this life altering condition. According to the National Institutes of Health (http://nihseniorhealth.gov/hearingloss/hearinglossdefined/01.html), nearly one in five adults 45-64 years old; one in three adults 65-74 years old; and half of all adults 75 years old or older have a hearing impairment. The program being introduced today is provided by HearUSA (http://www.hearusa.com/), one of the nation's leading providers of hearing aids and hearing care. Initially, the program will be available through the company's 42 owned and operated Florida hearing care centers. The company said other qualified hearing care providers in Florida and across the nation will be invited to participate. Florida residents are among the first of millions of 50+ Americans nationwide who will receive access to the Hearing Care Program exclusively for AARP members. "The program features more affordable state-of-the-art digital hearing aids that are also smaller, smarter and more comfortable than ever before," said Stephen Hansbrough, CEO and chairman of HearUSA. Hansbrough added that the program offers uniform pricing and extended warranties on hearing aids and related products; thorough testing and evaluation; 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 of approximately 5,000 credentialed hearing care providers will be available 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 is associated with physical, emotional, mental and social well-being. (National Council on Aging; http://www.ncoa.org/attachments/UntreatedHearingLossReport.pdf) -- Among seniors, hearing loss is the most prevalent medical condition, following arthritis and hypertension. (University of California, San Francisco - Department of Neurological Surgery; http://neurosurgery.ucsf.edu/index.php/brain_tumor_center_hearing_loss .html) -- Ninety-five percent of all Americans with hearing loss can be treated with hearing aids (Better Hearing Institute; http://www.betterhearing.org/research/factoids.cfm) -- However, only one person in five who could benefit from hearing aids uses them (National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders; http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/thebasics_hearingaid.asp) "This program has been designed to address the concerns and confusion that are preventing so many from receiving treatment for their hearing loss," said Dr. Cindy Beyer, audiologist and HearUSA senior vice president. For a detailed description of the HearUSA hearing care program for AARP members, please visit: http://www.hearusa.com/corporate/aarp. About HearUSA HearUSA, Inc. provides hearing care to through the HearUSA Hearing Care Network of 1,900 affiliated audiologists in 49 states and in more than 190 company-owned hearing care centers, all of which offer a large selection of state-of-the-art digital hearing aids. HearUSA Centers are located in California, Florida, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Ohio, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania. Hearing-related products, such as batteries, hearing aid accessories and assistive listening devices, are also available online at http://www.hearusa.com/. HearUSA is proud to be the only hearing care provider awarded Health Network Accreditation from URAC, the accrediting organization that establishes quality standards for the health care industry. About AARP AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world's largest-circulation magazine with over 35.5 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP's 40 million members and Americans 50+; AARP Segunda Juventud, the only bilingual U.S. publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. ABOUT AARP SERVICES INC. AARP Services Inc., founded in 1999, is a wholly-owned taxable subsidiary of AARP. AARP Services manages the provider relationships for and performs quality control oversight of the wide range of products and services that carry the AARP name and are made available by independent providers as benefits to AARP's almost 40 million members. The provider offers currently span health products, travel and leisure products, and life event services. Specific products include Medicare supplemental 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. AARP Services also engages in new product development activities for AARP and provides certain consulting services to outside companies. In 2005, AARP Services founded AARP Financial Inc., a wholly-owned taxable subsidiary that manages the provider relationships for and performs quality control oversight for the financial products that carry the AARP name, including credit cards, auto and home, mobile home and motorcycle insurance, and life insurance and annuities. AARP Financial also provides access to proprietary investment products and services, including mutual funds and financial guidance, designed to meet the needs of investors at any life stage. DATASOURCE: HearUSA CONTACT: Paige Brough, HearUSA, +1-561-478-8770 (Ext 134), ; or Sanford Teller Communications, +1-212-717-0332, Web Site: http://www.hearusa.com/

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