Charlotte, N.C., April 02, 2008
Siemens Hearing Instruments, a leading manufacturer of hearing instruments in the United States, and The Walt Disney Company today launched the new Disney Pediatric Kit for children with hearing loss. The kit features a special edition lunchbox with hearing instrument accessories, a plush Mickey Mouse doll, and a story book about hearing loss and adapting to it.
Approximately 12,000 children are born with hearing loss each year (up to 3 of every 1,000 births). As children grow, incidence increases due to various causes; hearing loss eventually affects up to 17 in 1,000 children under age 18 to some degree. Of course, each child has their own specific needs and preferences. "Now, the world's most famous set of ears is helping young children learn about hearing loss and cope with their condition," stated Dr. Thomas Powers, vice president of Audiology and Professional Relations at Siemens Hearing Instruments, Inc.
The kit will be made available to U.S. - based Audiologists, compliments of Siemens, for distribution to all children who are fit with any Siemens hearing instrument appropriate for pediatric use. The kit includes a Mickey Mouse plush doll fitted with hearing aids; hearing aid use and care instruction book; dehumidifier; air puffer; stethoset; tool set; and hearing aid clip. The kit can also be used by children as a lunchbox.
The kit will also be accompanied by a new Disney book created exclusively for Siemens, Three Cheers for Bunny's Ears!, which details the adventures of Mickey Mouse and Bunny, a brand new Mickey Mouse Club House character who thrives with hearing loss.
Both the Disney Pediatric Kit and Three Cheers for Bunny's Ears! will only be available through participating audiologists to children and their parents. To participate in this exclusive program and to receive the kits, books and materials with their order for hearing instruments — Audiologists should request the materials from their local Siemens Sales Representative.
Siemens Healthcare is one of the world's largest suppliers to the healthcare industry. The company is a renowned medical solutions provider with core competence and innovative strength in diagnostic and therapeutic technologies as well as in knowledge engineering, including information technology and system integration. With its laboratory diagnostics acquisitions, Siemens Healthcare is the first fully integrated diagnostics company, bringing together imaging and lab diagnostics, therapy, and healthcare information technology solutions, supplemented by consulting and support services. Siemens Healthcare delivers solutions across the entire continuum of care - from prevention and early detection, to diagnosis, therapy and care. The company employs more than 48,000 people worldwide and operates in 130 countries. In the fiscal year 2007 (Sept. 30), Siemens Healthcare reported sales of €9.85 billion, orders of €10.27 billion, and group profit of €1.32 billion. Further information can be found by visiting http://www.siemens.com/healthcare
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"By teaming up with Disney and Mickey Mouse, one of the most beloved characters in family entertainment, we want to create a meaningful, fun and educational way for audiologists to connect with their pediatric patients and their parents," said Dr. Powers. "We want our Audiologists to be seen as a resource and partner for their patients, helping to ease the transition to living with hearing loss by providing children with some familiar characters who are experiencing a similar situation." Teaming with Audiologists