COCHLEAR AMERICAS ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF GRAEME CLARK COCHLEAR SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION

DENVER – March 28, 2005 – Three talented students were honored on Friday, March 21, 2005, by Cochlear Americas for their outstanding accomplishments. Timothy J. Brandau, Taylor McClelland and Lori Mette were awarded the third annual Graeme Clark Cochlear Scholarship, a unique grant open to Cochlear Nucleus® implant recipients. The Graeme Clark Scholarship Foundation’s fund is intended to provide college age students with tuition assistance.

Former Miss America Heather Whitestone McCallum, a Cochlear Nucleus® 24 Contour™ recipient and current chair of the Foundation, presented the award winners with their scholarships at the Cochlear Implant Convention in Dallas, TX. The winners were selected by a panel of judges including Peter Roland, MD, from the University of Texas Southwest; Susan Waltzman, Ph.D., from New York University; Margaret Winter, M.S., CCC-A, for House Institute Care Center; Claire Jacobson, AuD., from James Madison University; and Heather Whitestone McCallum.

Cochlear Nucleus® 24 recipient, Timothy Brandau of Rudd, IA, was the first child in Iowa to receive a multi-channel implant. His implantation in 1987 triggered Timothy’s life-long fascination with the process of hearing. A third year student at the University of Iowa, Timothy hopes to one day use his degree in Biomedical Engineering to advance the field of cochlear implant technology. Since receiving his cochlear implant, Timothy has learned to play the saxophone and loves studying music. He is also a proud member of the Hawkeye Marching Band.

Cochlear Nucleus® 24 recipient, Taylor McClelland of Calhan, CO, was implanted as a sophomore in high school. Today, he is a second year student at Bethany Lutheran College in Kansas with a passion for athletics. This passion started in high school where Taylor received varsity letters in baseball, basketball and football. He is now active on the college basketball team and plans a career in Sports Management. Taylor also volunteers his time as a coach to youngsters in baseball and basketball.

Lori Mette’s hearing began to deteriorate after she graduated from college, established a career, and had her first child. A resident of Teutopolis, IL, Lori had been working with those with developmental disabilities prior to her hearing loss.

Although she had always been dedicated to serving those less fortunate than herself, she began to feel socially isolated due to her hearing loss. Since receiving her Nucleus® 24 Contour™ implant in 2003, her confidence has returned full force, inspiring her return to school. Lori is determined to become a certified Special Education Teacher. Today, she continues to work full time, raise a family and is enrolled at Eastern Illinois University to pursue this dream.

About the Graeme Clark Cochlear Scholarship Foundation

Established in 2002, the Foundation honors Professor Graeme Clark of the Department of Otolaryngology at the University of Melbourne for his pioneering work in the field of cochlear implant technology. Professor Clark’s lifelong determination to find solutions for the hearing impaired led to his inventing the world’s first multichannel cochlear implant over 20 years ago.

The scholarship, which is awarded to three students annually, helps fund college tuition at an accredited institution. Judges consider both academic achievement and a clear dedication to the Cochlear ideals of leadership and humanity. Each award is in the amount of $3,000 per year for a total of four years, paid upon the completion of each year of study.
For more information about the Graeme Clark Cochlear Scholarship Foundation, call 800/458-4999 (Voice) or 800/483-3123 (TTY) or visit the website at http://www.cochlear.com.

About Cochlear Americas

Since launching the world’s first cochlear implant system more than 20 years ago, Cochlear Limited and its US headquarters, Cochlear Americas, have brought the miracle of sound to more than 60,000 hearing-impaired individuals across the globe. Cochlear’s state-of-the-art technologies, based on extensive research and development at preeminent academic institutions, improve the ability to hear sound and understand speech—enhancing both learning capabilities and quality of life for those with severe to profound hearing loss. Cochlear has remained the market leader in its field thanks to an unwavering commitment to innovation, reliability and customer support. This commitment is reflected in Cochlear’s fourth-generation cochlear implant system, the Nucleus® Freedom™, which is designed to mimic natural hearing and allow users to interact more fully with the world around them. Numerous awards, as well as published scientific data, attest to Cochlear’s outstanding product line and unsurpassed performance. Cochlear’s promise “Hear Now. And Always.” reflects its dedication to durability and service. For more information about Cochlear's products, call the Cochlear Nucleus® Hotline at 800/458-4999 (Voice) or 800/483-3123 (TTY) or visit the Web site at http://www.cochlear.com.