Hires Senior Research Scientist to Focus on Health Applications of HyperSound
SAN DIEGO, California, May 21, 2013 – Parametric Sound Corporation (NASDAQ: PAMT), a leading innovator of audio technology and solutions, today announced results from the first round of clinical testing of its HyperSound audio system. In February 2013 the Company filed a clinical study protocol entitled “A Comparison of the HyperSound Audio System to Conventional Audio Speakers in Patients with Mild to Severe Hearing Loss” with an independent review board and received clearance to commence the study in late March 2013. The study was designed to assess whether the Company’s HyperSound audio improves sound clarity when compared to a conventional acoustic speaker in those persons with mild to severe hearing loss.
The Company engaged the California Hearing & Balance Center of La Jolla, California under the guidance of principal investigator, Dr. Ritvik Mehta, to conduct patient studies that commenced in April 2013.
“We are pleased to report that preliminary results from this scientific study confirm the outcomes from previously announced preference testing,” reported Kenneth F. Potashner, executive chairman of Parametric Sound. “We consistently witness that more than 70% of persons with hearing loss prefer the clarity of HyperSound and many people are reporting dramatic improvement in hearing and clarity. We will report final results when the study is complete. We expect that HyperSound can enable products that can enhance the audio enjoyment of a broad segment of the aging and hearing impaired population.”
According to a study in a November 2011 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, hearing loss affects nearly 48 million Americans. For individuals 12 years and older in the United States, nearly 1 in 8 has bilateral hearing loss, and nearly 1 in 5 has a unilateral or bilateral hearing loss severe enough to interfere with day-to-day communication. The study further states that the prevalence of hearing loss is expected to rise because of the aging of the population. The Company believes one of the major issues experienced by the hearing impaired is lack of clarity in differentiating words from each other even with loud volume. The Company also believes its emitters may provide benefits in this area by delivering with clarity the frequencies important in speech recognition, thus improving the TV viewing experience by those with normal hearing, and by providing amplification for those with some hearing loss without the need for headphones or any coupling to the ear or body.
The Company also reported that it has hired Brian Kappus, Ph.D., as a senior research scientist with responsibility to focus scientific study and research on hearing and other novel applications of HyperSound technology. Dr. Kappus has more than twelve years experience in experimental and theoretical physics and pioneered new techniques in acoustical and light measurement. While recently working at UCLA he joins the Company with a thorough understanding of HyperSound technology and acoustics.
About California Hearing & Balance Center
The California Hearing and Balance Center (CHBC) is a San Diego, CA based practice dedicated to Otology/Neurotology and Audiology. Founded in 2009 by Dr. Ritvik Mehta (MD) and Dr. Sara Mattson (AuD), The California Hearing and Balance Center provides full-service care for all hearing and balance needs. The practice includes full-service audiology, including diagnostics and audiology treatment. CHBC also specializes in implantable hearing devices including cochlear implants, implantable hearing technology, and bone anchored hearing solutions (including the latest SoundBite device). Its tinnitus center includes Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) and treatment of tinnitus with sound therapies including Neuromonics, OtoSound, and SoundCure. CHBC is well versed in working with the hearing healthcare industry and has been involved in clinical studies and consulting for tinnitus as well as hearing devices.
Cautionary note on forward-looking statements
This press release includes forward-looking information and statements. Except for historical information contained in this release, statements in this release may constitute forward-looking statements regarding assumptions, projections, expectations, targets, intentions or beliefs about future events that are based on management’s belief, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, management. While the Company believes that its expectations are based upon reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurances that its goals and strategy will be realized. Numerous factors, including risks and uncertainties, may affect actual results and may cause results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements made by the Company or on its behalf. Some of these factors include issues that could bar or delay product marketing or limit product claims, acceptance of new Parametric Sound products and technologies, the impact
of competitive products and pricing, the timely development and release of products by the Company, general business and
economic conditions, and other factors detailed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and other periodic reports filed
with the SEC. The Company specifically disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.