Vivosonic announces Doug Brown as General Manager

TORONTO, ON -- (March 24, 2010) – Vivosonic, manufacturer of the IntegrityTM Diagnostic and AurixTM Newborn Screening Systems, today announced that Doug Brown has been officially appointed the company’s General Manager.   In this capacity, Mr. Brown will oversee all aspects and activities of the company from product and technology to marketing and business development.

“Doug’s outstanding track record of business success during his tenure at Vivosonic, as well as during his over 20 year career, makes him the logical choice  for Vivosonic moving forward’ said Dr. Gerald Heffernan, Chair of the Board and a predominant shareholder in the company.  “In addition to his very relevant experience, Doug brings strong leadership skills, a sharp analytical mind and a true passion for Vivosonic. He will be instrumental in shaping the future of the organization in the years to come.”

Vivosonic Inc. manufactures and distributes award winning medical devices, whose patented technologies allow for superior overall performance in clinical results, patient care and economic efficiency.  Founded in 1999 as a result of research conducted at the University of Toronto, Vivosonic and our Investors remain headquartered in Toronto ON Canada.  Vivosonic markets and sells its products through a global distributor network in over 35 countries.  For more information or to find a distributor, please visit us online at www.vivosonic.com.

For more information, please contact:

Erica Helmer
Marketing Manager, Vivosonic Inc.
erica.helmer@vivosonic.com

www.vivosonic.com
P: 877.255.7685 x236

Vivosonic Launches Newborn Hearing Screening System

Vivosonic’s  Aurix an Automated ABR Newborn Screening System which uses the same technology as the Vivosonic Integrity begins shipping worldwide.

TORONTO, ON -- (March 24, 2010) - Vivosonic is excited to announce the launch of its newest product, the Aurix Newborn Hearing Screening SystemTM.  Built using the same Kalman weighted algorithm as their flagship product, the IntegrityTM, Aurix and Vivosonic are positioned to once again challenge user expectations.

‘Aurix IS the next level in hearing screening’ says Isaac Kurtz, VP of Research and Technology ‘in side-by-side testing, it has not only performed quicker and more reliably, it has shown greater success when testing premature infants.’

A fully Automated ABR system, Aurix is capable of obtaining reliable results, in even the most difficult screening situations.  This allows hospital and screening staff to focus on the patient, while simultaneously reducing test time and the impact on hospital resources.
Aurix will help screening programs:

• Reduce the need for rescreens caused by an awake or stirring baby;
• Decreasing the variability in test time allowing for more accurate scheduling;
• Comfort newborns by holding or feeding during testing because of wireless communication between the Aurix Link™ and the system computer;
• Premature infants can be tested in their incubator or NICU bed, so as not to disturb their essential incubation period while allowing for greater disease control;
• Aurix ‘tunes-out’ electromagnetic noise, reducing the number of abandoned tests and virtually eliminates the need for specialized screening environments.

‘Screening with Aurix is as easy as 1-2-3’ said Kurtz.  Easy to use, and simple to understand, the Aurix conducts infant hearing screenings in 3 simple steps:  Create a record, perform the test and then print the result.  In addition, a robust administrative area housed within the software package, allows Program Managers to tailor fit Aurix to their individual program needs.  Fully compatible with industry database software like Oz SystemsSM and Hi*Track ‘Aurix will not only fit into your existing program, but it will evolve with your program in the years to come.’

Make sure to stop by booth #1644 during AudiologyNOW! 2010 in San Diego to see Aurix in action. Not attending?  Feel free to contact the Vivosonic sales team at sales@vivosonic.com or online at http://www.vivosonic.com/en/demo.html to arrange your no obligation demonstration. 

Vivosonic Inc. manufactures and distributes award winning medical devices, whose patented technologies allow for superior overall performance in clinical results, patient care and economic efficiency.  Founded in 1999 as a result of research conducted at the University of Toronto, Vivosonic and our Investors remain headquartered in Toronto ON Canada.  Vivosonic markets and sells its products through a global distributor network in over 35 countries.  For more information or to find a distributor, please visit us online at www.vivosonic.com.

For more information, please contact:

Erica Helmer
Marketing Manager, Vivosonic Inc.
erica.helmer@vivosonic.com

www.vivosonic.com
P: 877.255.7685 x236

Vivosonic President and CEO Yuri Sokolov Steps Down

TORONTO, ON. Canada Dec. 9/09 -The Vivosonic Board of Directors announced today that Dr. Yuri Sokolov has resigned as the company's President and Chief Executive Officer effective immediately. 

The founder of Vivosonic in 1999, Dr. Sokolov took on the role of CEO and oversaw the development of Vivosonic’s flagship product, the Integrity as well as a soon to be released second product.  ‘Yuri’s contributions to not only Vivosonic, but to patient centric hearing health care, have been tremendous, and we thank him for his dedication and tenure’ stated Dr. Gerald Heffernan, Chair of the Board. ‘I am confident that the management team Yuri has built will continue to bring innovative solutions to the medical device market.’

Doug Brown, Vice President of Finance and Operations, has assumed the role of Interim General Manager.

Dr. Sokolov stated ‘Although the time has come for me to close this chapter in my life, I eagerly look forward to the next one, for both myself and Vivosonic. I am absolutely confident Vivosonic will continue to be successful in the future’.

Vivosonic Inc. was founded in 1999 as a result of research conducted at the University of Toronto and currently manufactures and distributes award winning medical devices, whose patented technologies allow for superior overall performance in clinical results, patient care and economic efficiency.

For more information please contact:

Doug Brown
Vice President of Finance and Operations
Interim General Manager
doug.brown@vivosonic.com 

Vivosonic, Inc.
120-5525 Eglinton Avenue West

Toronto, ON Canada M9C 5K5

Toll-free (U.S. & Canada): 1 877 255 7685, ext. 240
Phone: +1 416 231 9997 ext. 240
Vivosonic:  www.vivosonic.com

AudiologyNOW! 2009 Attendee’s and Vivosonic Impact Charities Globally!

Toronto, ON. Canada June 04/09 – Vivosonic would like to extend their thanks to the attendees of this year’s AudiologyNOW! Conference.  By visiting the Vivosonic booth you helped us raise nearly $1000 for the Help Me Hear Foundation!

“This is a charity whose goal and purpose is so closely aligned with our goals as an organization,” says Vivosonic CEO and Founder, Dr. Yuri Sokolov, “that we are humbled and proud to have assisted the attendees in making an additional impact on hearing impaired children around the world.”

In addition to the donation to the Help Me Hear foundation – five $25 Network for Good ‘Good Cards’ were given out daily over the course of the conference.  In recent weeks, these online charity gift cards have been redeemed for donations to the American Academy of Audiology Foundation, as well as a number of local and global charities, including the National Breast Cancer Foundation and the Save Darfur Coalition.

In Lieu of Gifts, Vivosonic Puts Their Money Where Your Heart Is - Vivosonic reinvests 100% of AudiologyNOW! corporate gifting budget back into helping the hearing impaired community.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Toronto, ON. Canada Feb/09 - Vivosonic, a manufacturer of audiological diagnostic technology solutions, and the world's only non-sedated ABR system, is excited to announce they will be donating their entire AudiologyNOW! 2009 gifting budget to two very deserving independent non-profit organizations, during this years conference in Dallas.

For each visitor to their booth (#1601), Vivosonic will make a $2 donation to the Help Me Hear Foundation.  ‘Help Me Hear was a perfect choice for us.  Their goal of providing the most advanced hearing solutions to the world’s disadvantaged children, is very much in line with our own organizational objectives.’ says Serge Amar, Vivosonic’s  VP of Worldwide Sales, ‘In addition, the wide global reach of their efforts, also mirrors that of the American Academy of Audiology and the attendees at the conference.’

Vivosonic will also be giving away $25 Network for Good ‘Good Cards’ to select visitors, drawn from the names of those who have already stopped in to donate $2.  ‘Good Cards can be used to donate online to any of their favorite charities, including the American Academy of Audiology, or their own local SPCA.  It’s really completely up to them.’ says Amar.

For more information on these independent non-profit organizations, please visit www.helpmehearfoundation.org or www.networkforgood.org

Vivosonic Expands Sales and Marketing Team with the Addition of Marketing Manager, Erica Helmer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Toronto, ON. Canada Jan 12/09 – Vivosonic, a manufacturer of audiological diagnostic technology solutions and the world’s only non-sedated ABR system, is pleased to announce the addition of Erica Helmer, in the role of Marketing Manager to their worldwide sales and marketing team.

Erica was most recently a member of the Oticon Canada marketing team where she was integral in the development of OticonDirect.ca, the inaugural corporate implementation of Canada Post’s much talked about Direct Marketing Online™ software.  In addition, she brings 10 years of professional marketing experience with focus on program and communications development, strategic branding as well as production and project management.

“Erica’s extensive marketing experience, coupled with her passion for excellence and superior client service,” says Vivosonic CEO and Founder, Dr. Yuri Sokolov, “makes her an invaluable asset to both our organization and our distributors – we continue to be impressed by her contributions and are excited about her role in taking Vivosonic and our products to the next level.”

Vivosonic Inc. is a privately-held, Canadian corporation founded in 1999 as a result of research conducted at the University of Toronto’s internationally renowned Institute of Biomedical Engineering.

Vivosonic develops, manufactures and distributes state-of-the-art medical devices. The company’s mandate is to create solutions that will contribute to providing superior individual patient care and improving hearing health care around the globe by maximizing clinical efficiency and minimizing patient risk through technological innovation. Our mission is to eliminate the risks and costs associated with sedation and anesthesia for Auditory Evoked Response tests in infants and young children with resulting benefits to patients and clinicians.

Integrity™ Ver. 4.5 release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Toronto, Ontario, Canada, August 1, 2008 - Vivosonic Inc., the Toronto-based developer and manufacturer of the world’s only Auditory Evoked Response system enabling non-sedated ABR is pleased to announce the release of its Integrity™ Version 4.5.

The Integrity™ system reduces the effects of physiological artefacts, enabling clinicians to test non-sedated, even active patients, making it an essential clinical tool for testing physically and mentally challenged adults, patients with Autism, Cerebral palsy, Sleep Apnea, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson diseases, and pacemakers. Protection against electromagnetic interferences enables clear results in places like the NICU, SCBU, and Operating Room.

“This latest version of the Integrity™ system is a new milestone in elevating the level of hearing healthcare. It helps clinicians provide care to kids with no risks and costs associated with sedation and general anesthesia – in private clinics, hospitals, schools, and research centers”, says Dr. Yuri Sokolov, President and CEO. “The new techniques we implemented in Version 4.5 further the unique clinical benefits of Integrity™”. Its new, patent-pending technique improves confidence in ABR waveform repeatability and response presence, reduced noise and stimulus artefacts, and also introduces state-of-the-art printing functionality that sets a new industry standard for reporting.

As our satisfied customers have explained it, Integrity™ is “a must have for any clinic seeing infants, children, or hard-to-test patients regardless of the existing equipment.” With Version 4.5, Integrity™ customers will continue to be able to test patients who cannot be tested with conventional ABR systems without sedation or anesthesia and in environments where achieving clear results was almost impossible.

Auditory Brainstem Response
Auditory brainstem response (ABR) is a very faint electrical potential evoked from the auditory nerve and brainstem by the presentation of a sound such as a click or tone burst. ABR audiometry is a test to detect a hearing loss, especially in newborns, as well as to assess the functions of the ears, auditory nerve, and various brain functions. ABR is also used to estimate hearing thresholds for further intervention such as hearing aid fitting or considering a cochlear implant.

ABR audiometry is a safe and painless test, but, due to muscle artifacts that interfere with the ABR, conventional ABR equipment often requires sedation or general anesthesia in children 3 months to 4-6 years of age.

Vivosonic Inc. appoints Angela Bottley as Clinical Trainer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Toronto, Ontario, Canada, May 5, 2008 - Vivosonic Inc., the Toronto-based developer and manufacturer of the world’s only non-sedated ABR technology, is pleased to announce a recent addition to our staff — Ms. Angela Bottley as Clinical Trainer. This is part of Vivosonic’s continued commitment to provide scientific and practical clinical support to our user community.

Angela Bottley, B.Sc., CNIM, R.E.P.T., brings over ten years of experience in the neurophysiology field. She began doing intra-operative neurophysiologic monitoring and clinical evoked potentials, gaining valuable experience in a range of neurophysiologic measurements including ABRs. Angela has held positions as a product specialist, instructing medical personnel on the use of intra-operative monitoring and evoked potential systems (EEG, NCV and EMG). An excellent presenter, she has a reputation as a first-rate medical technology trainer, customizing and delivering training programs and we welcome her contribution to Vivosonic’s growing organization.

Vivosonic Inc. appoints Serge Amar as Vice President, Worldwide Sales

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Toronto, Ontario, Canada, April 8, 2008 - Vivosonic Inc., the Toronto-based developer and manufacturer of the world’s only non-sedated ABR technology, is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Serge Amar as Vice President, Worldwide Sales.

Mr. Amar is responsible for the further development of the Vivosonic Integrity™ sales platform throughout the globe, working closely with Specialty Equipment Distributors, institutions, and private practices. Serge brings nearly 20 years of international experience in the medical device industry, heading worldwide sales and market development teams for several technology-based companies.

“Serge has a wealth of industry experience and demonstrated success in managing and growing a global sales organization” said Dr. Yuri Sokolov, President and CEO of Vivosonic. “I look forward to his contribution and expect that Serge’s expertise and strong skills of building relationships with customers will prove beneficial in the North American and international markets as we continue to grow our company and to help children and other patients around the world receive superior hearing health care — without the risks associated with sedation and anesthesia.”

“Vivosonic is an innovator with a superior solution portfolio and a strong track record.” said Mr. Amar. “I am excited to join the company and look forward to working with Vivosonic’s exceptional team to deliver outstanding results.”

Vivosonic Inc. ships Integrity™, World's First Bluetooth® Wireless Auditory Brainstem Response System

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Toronto, Ontario, Canada, February 1, 2006 - Vivosonic Inc., a Toronto-based medical device developer, has begun shipping Integrity™, the world’s first and only Bluetooth(R) wireless Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) Instrument. Integrity enables practical ABR testing by dramatically clearing the responses from physiological artifacts and electro-magnetic interferences, thus extending ABR to testing non-relaxed patients in non-shielded rooms. Small and highly portable, the Integrity is ideal for testing patients of all ages – in hospitals, private clinics, and even at the patient’s home.

Recently, Vivosonic introduced Integrity™ to the world markets at Medica 2005, the world’s largest annual medical trade fair in Düsseldorf, Germany, and Arab Health 2006 medical fair in Dubai, UAE. We will be presenting Integrity at the 2006 American Academy of Audiology convention in Minneapolis, MN, the world’s largest Audiology annual meeting.

“I am very excited that we have started shipping the long-awaited Integrity ABR system,” says Mr. Ed Goss, Director of Operations and Institutional Sales. “We ensure the very highest product quality by manufacturing Integrity on our own premises in Toronto, ON through our Quality System certified to ISO 13485:2003 standard for medical devices. Integrity is cleared by the Food and Drug Agency (FDA) and Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and licensed by Health Canada. Certain technical difficulties deferred the shipments, which is why we have a significant backlog of orders, but we are confident we will clear it within the next two months and anticipate meeting the demand for the product thereafter.”

“Integrity represents a huge technological leap forward in the Audiology industry,“ says Isaac Kurtz, M.H.Sc., P.Eng., Vivosonic's Director of Engineering and Research. “It solves the two fundamental problems clinicians experience in ABR testing – environmental electro-magnetic interferences and patients’ muscular motion artifacts.”

“Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) is the first of four near-term objective hearing assessment modules on Integrity platform,” says Dr. Yuri Sokolov, Ph.D., President and CEO. “Additional modules, which will be added in the near future, include Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions (DPOAE), Transient Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions (TEOAE), and Auditory Steady State Response (ASSR) composing a most innovative and practical auditory electrophysiological system.”

About Objective Hearing Assessment
While traditional hearing tests typically involve placing a patient in an audiometric sound booth and obtaining his/her subjective responses to pure tones or speech stimuli, audiologist and physicians often need more objective measurements, either because the patient cannot respond, e.g. an infant, or because traditional tests cannot provide sufficient data for accurate diagnosis.

Objective hearing assessment generally includes Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE), which measure the function of the Cochlea, and Auditory Evoked Potentials (AEP), which measure the ability of the Auditory Nerve and brain to process auditory signals. AEP tests typically include Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) and more recently Auditory Steady State Response (ASSR) for topical diagnosis and objective assessment of hearing thresholds, the latter being fundamental for further hearing aid fitting.