Ingeniøren, the leading Danish newsmagazine in the fields of science and technology, has awarded the prestigious Danish Product Award 2007 to Oticon Epoq for its world-class Danish engineering, design and craftsmanship. The highly competitive annual Product Award recognizes outstanding product development and innovation by Danish companies. An independent panel of judges, headed by Jørgen Kiems, director of the Danish Technological University, selected Epoq from among innovations submitted by 36 competing Danish companies. The judges explained their decision to award the top honor to Oticon and Epoq:
"In developing hearing aids the highest goal is to create a device that will help users hear as naturally as possible - and that includes the ability to determine where sounds are coming from. Until now, hearing instruments were not able to meet this challenge. Localizing sound demands a great deal from technology which must coordinate signals coming into two ears simultaneously, separated by a very small distance. Epoq has achieved this goal. Using wireless communication, Oticon has succeeded in developing a truly revolutionary device that makes the company a leader in the industry".
World-class Danish engineering, design and craftsmanship - Jes Olsen, Director of Development for Oticon A/S, accepts the prestigious Danish Product Award 2007 from Rolf Ask Clausen, editor-in-chief of Ingeniørens, the Danish news magazine that sponsors the annual award honoring outstanding product development and innovation by Danish companies. Epoq was selected over entries from 36 leading Danish companies for its breakthrough wireless technology that enables people with hearing loss, for the first time, to better localize sound.
Niels Jacobsen, President & CEO of both Oticon A/S and parent company William Demant Holding stated: "It is with great pride that we accept this prize. Oticon Epoq is a unique new development with the potential to significantly improve the quality of life of people with hearing loss. Wireless broadband communication between the two hearing devices represents a technological quantum leap that greatly enhances sound quality."
Epoq's wireless connectivity also enables people with hearing loss, for the first time, to connect to the world of electronically transmitted sounds from Bluetooth-enabled cell phones and other popular electronic devices such as MP3 players and computers. With the addition of Epoq's sleek companion device called a Streamer, Epoq becomes the equivalent of a hands-free intelligent headset without having to attach bulky devices or wires to the hearing instrument.
In a press release announcing the award winners, Ingeniøren noted that Epoq - over six years in development -- represents the biggest product development project in Oticon's history.
For more information about the new Epoq, visit www.oticonusa.com or the Oticon Web Channel on Audiology Online at www.audiologyonline.com/channels/oticon.asp
About Oticon:
Oticon is one of the most innovative hearing aid manufacturers on the market. With more than 100 years of experience, Oticon has spearheaded a number of technological breakthroughs which have made a significant difference for people with hearing loss. Oticon is the only hearing aid manufacturer with its own psycho acoustic research center, ensuring that the needs of hearing aid users are always put first when developing new solutions.
