CHICAGO, IL--(Marketwire - April 13, 2009) - People at risk of sleeping through standard
smoke alarms now have a new safety option available to them. To address
recent fire safety research,
Lifetone Technology™ has
developed a new fire alarm with the technologies proven to be most
effective at waking older adults, people with hearing loss and children
during a fire.
According to
fire
safety studies commissioned by the
U.S. Fire Administration and the
Fire Protection Research
Foundation, an affiliate of the
National
Fire Protection Association (NFPA), a 520 Hz square-wave signal is
proven to be more effective at awakening at-risk individuals than standard
fire alarms, which use a high-frequency 3100 Hz pure tone signal. The
Lifetone H
L™ Bedside Fire Alarm and Clock listens for the sound from standard
fire alarms, and then broadcasts its own 520 Hz square-wave signal at the
bedside. The Lifetone HL also includes a bed shaker, which produces strong,
intermittent vibration. This feature will aid those with profound or
fluctuating hearing loss at 500 Hz and higher who may not reliably hear and
wake up to the 520 Hz square-wave signal alone.
"Fire safety is an overlooked problem for the millions of Americans who are
heavy sleepers or experience hearing loss at any level," said Mark Colello,
Lifetone Technology's
president and chief executive officer. "Lifetone Technology is dedicated to
introducing technologies in new products that improve personal safety in
fires and other life-threatening emergencies."
An estimated 70 million Americans(1) have high-frequency hearing loss. In
fact, 44 percent of people with hearing loss do not wake to the sound of
standard fire alarms due to their high pitch. With roughly
half of
all home fire deaths resulting from incidents reported between 11:00
p.m. and 7:00 a.m., this is a significant safety issue.
"Even though some people might hear their smoke alarm during the day, it
may not wake them from sleeping, either due to hearing loss or deep sleep
patterns," said Brenda Battat, executive director of the
Hearing Loss Association of America.
"It's critical that people evaluate their safety needs and take the
necessary precautions to protect themselves and their families."
While new industry standards are being reviewed for smoke alarms, the
Lifetone HL provides a state-of-the-art fire alert system in an easy-to-use
alarm clock. Developed by David Albert, M.D., a scientist and well-known
expert in biomedical engineering and cardiovascular research, the Lifetone
HL is the only
UL-Listed
fire alarm to use the 520 Hz signal and a bed shaker. The Lifetone HL works
with all smoke alarms manufactured since 1999 that are UL certified for the
U.S.
"About 94 percent of households have working smoke detectors, so it's time
to embark on the next endeavor," said Kim Bacon, community liaison officer
for the
West County EMS and Fire Protection
District near St. Louis. "We need to identify those who may not be able
to wake from a standard smoke alarm and help them find a fire alarm that is
right for their needs."
New Technology Developed at Home
In 1999, Dr. Albert was at home working on a wireless heart monitor he
planned to use during surgery for his daughter, Kathryn, when Kathryn
noticed that the smoke alarm signal produced by the test had been detected
by the heart monitor. This discovery ultimately led Dr. Albert to develop
the Lifetone HL technology that listens for standard smoke alarms and emits
a low frequency, 520 Hz square-wave sound pattern.
"What began as an accidental discovery has evolved into a new chapter in
fire safety technology," said Dr. Albert. "It's thrilling to see this new
technology finally available to people who need it the most."
Albert, who serves as the company's chief scientific officer and chairman
of the board, currently holds 22 U.S. patents with 23 more pending.
To bring his patented technology to the public, in 2004 Dr. Albert founded
InnovAlarm™, which has since evolved to become
Lifetone Technology, Inc. Based
on Dr. Albert's technology, Lifetone Technology develops products that
offer improved alerting and awakening capabilities during emergencies, such
as fires and smoke accumulation.
About the Lifetone HL™ Bedside Fire Alarm and Clock
The
Lifetone
HL™ Bedside Fire Alarm and Clock is expected to retail for about
$180. Additional product features include:
-- Uses 520 Hz square-wave sound pattern - a lower frequency than
standard smoke alarms.
-- Hears your existing T3 smoke alarms. No new alarms are required.
-- Functions as a standard alarm clock.
-- Battery backup lasts seven days or more while still providing
emergency alarm signals.
-- Alerts to AC power loss and low or no battery.
-- Alerts to unplugged or improperly connected bed shaker.
-- Two year limited warranty.
-- Measures 8 1/2" L x 5" W x 4" H.
-- Includes a water-resistant bed shaker.
Available nationally beginning in April, the Lifetone HL™ Bedside Fire
Alarm and Clock can be found in catalogues and online retailers. For more
information, visit
www.lifetonesafety.com.
(1) Based on Johns Hopkins study published in Archives of Internal
Medicine July 2008, which states 55 million Americans ages 20 to 69 have
high-frequency hearing loss; and Cruickshanks et. al. Beaver Dam study
published in American Journal of Epidemiology, 1998, which states that 66
percent of people 70 to 79 have high-frequency hearing loss, and 90 percent
of people ages 80 to 92 have high-frequency hearing loss.
About Lifetone Technology™
Lifetone Technology™ is dedicated to introducing technologies in
products that improve Life Safety in fire, carbon monoxide, and other life
threatening emergencies. Lifetone Technology is headquartered in Oklahoma
City, Okla., with offices in the Chicago area. Additional information can
be found on the company's Web site
www.lifetonesafety.com.
Contact Information: For more information, contact:
Maureen Rootz
Fleishman-Hillard
314-982-9136