IntriCon Secures National Health Service Product Approval

IntriCon Corporation (NASDAQ: IIN), a designer, developer, manufacturer and distributor of miniature and micro-miniature body-worn devices, today announced that it has received final approval from the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS) Audiology Supplies Group for its high-quality hearing aid products.

“NHS approval is an important milestone in our value hearing health initiative, and we are eager to begin a U.K. rollout”

In partnership with PC Werth Ltd, IntriCon’s hearing aids will be distributed to the NHS under PC Werth’s Kamplex brand name. PC Werth, who has a long-standing relationship with the NHS, will provide the required marketing, selling, training and service support.

“NHS approval is an important milestone in our value hearing health initiative, and we are eager to begin a U.K. rollout,” said Mark S. Gorder, president and chief executive officer of IntriCon. “Furthermore, this approval speaks volumes to the quality and performance of our hearing aids products and fitting software, as the NHS adheres to rigorous and stringent standards. And given their strong U.K. market presence and extensive experience with the NHS, we are also excited to move forward with PC Werth.”

Gorder indicated that the NHS is the largest purchaser of hearing aids in the world, supplying an estimated 1.4 million hearing aids annually. While at this time, it is difficult to forecast the financial impact of the program, potential is significant given the NHS’ scale. A targeted rollout of Kamplex hearing aid products will begin this month, followed by a more extensive rollout in the 2016.

Said Tom Parker, managing director of PC Werth, “Like IntriCon, we are delighted with the approval. We believe the introduction of hearing aids under the Kamplex brand has a strong synergy with our existing range of diagnostic audiological equipment and accessories that we provide to the NHS. Having this complete service package will support hearing aid sales and benefit our NHS customers.”

Concluded Gorder, “The NHS is widely recognized as the most efficient hearing aid delivery system in the world. And we believe that our high-quality devices are well positioned to further enhance their model and improve access. Beyond IntriCon’s value-added devices, we are actively developing fitting solutions that help audiology services increase efficiency, while also enhancing the standard of hearing health delivered to patients.”

About PC Werth
Established in 1947 by Peter Werth, PC Werth played an instrumental role establishing the UK’s independent hearing healthcare sector and was instrumental in developing the UK business for three of the World’s six largest hearing aid manufacturers. Now a leading supplier of hearing healthcare products and equipment to the NHS and all hearing healthcare practitioners, PC Werth also supplies communication products and associated services to schools and learning establishments. Operating nationwide from offices in London, PC Werth provides a genuinely personal and nationwide service to hearing healthcare professionals, and delivers group communication solutions for environments where the fundamentals of communication and hearing is of primary importance. Find out more at www.pcwerth.co.uk.

About IntriCon Corporation
Headquartered in Arden Hills, Minn., IntriCon Corporation designs, develops and manufactures miniature and micro-miniature body-worn devices. These advanced products help medical, healthcare and professional communications companies meet the rising demand for smaller, more intelligent and better connected devices. IntriCon has facilities in the United States, Asia and Europe. The company’s common stock trades under the symbol “IIN” on the NASDAQ Global Market. For more information about IntriCon, visit www.intricon.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
Statements made in this release and in IntriCon’s other public filings and releases that are not historical facts or that include forward-looking terminology are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements may be affected by known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that are beyond IntriCon’s control, and may cause IntriCon’s actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the results, performance and achievements expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and other factors are detailed from time to time in the company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. The company disclaims any intent or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, regardless of whether new information becomes available, future developments occur or otherwise.