OTHER NEWS - July 31, 1996

17 States Settle Hearing-Aid Fraud Suit: California was among the states settling the case against a company that featured comedian Steve Allen in commercials falsely claiming a $29.95 hearing aid as a technological breakthrough. Telebrands Corp. of Fairfield, N.J., must recall the Whisper XL hearing aid, pay refunds to consumers who request them and pay $515,000 in penalties and costs to the states, Minnesota Atty. Gen. Hubert H. Humphrey III said. The states contended that the company falsely advertised the hearing aid and sold it without approval from the Food and Drug Administration. Other states involved are Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Missouri, Maryland, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Vermont and Wisconsin.