Talk About Sleep Growth Exceeds Expectations

Minneapolis, MN - February 9, 2006

Talk About Sleep President and CEO, James O'Brien MD, "Dr.Jim" reports that Talk About Sleep's growth in 2005 greatly exceeded the overall strong growth within the US sleep market this past year. 

"We have much to be thankful for and much to do in 2006. With our active sleep community and our generous sponsor support, we will continue to build sleep awareness for all."

Talk About Sleep's commitment to the sleep community was rewarded by a 116% increase in website activity in 2005.  Our focus on improving the lives of sleep patients, their families, friends and healthcare professionals, generated great results that represent the acceptance and trust which TAS has developed within the sleep community and marketplace.

Wachovia Securities has recently completed a survey of sleep center activity within the US market. According to Senior Medical Device Analyst, Michael Matson, this survey identified several recent developments within the US sleep industry.

Sleep Centers have experienced a 21% increase in total bed capacity this past year, and forecasts expect the growth to continue through 2007.  The increase in sleep service capacity will also result in a significant mask revenue growth, estimated to be 30%, and a flow generator growth in the mid-teens.  Currently 15% of sleep centers are selling CPAP devices and masks and another 15% are expected to retail sleep products within the next 12 months.

More and more CPAP therapy prescriptions are being written as product-specific, not as a generic CPAP.  The rate of "no substitution" or product-specific CPAP prescriptions has risen from 29% to 47% just within the past year.  CPAP interfaces are also being prescribed as product specific at a current rate of 64%, which is only a 2% increase from last year.

Sleep continues to be an actively growing industry and will continue to develop and strengthen as sleep awareness and wellness builds within all sectors.

If you would like to read the entire Wachovia Survey Report, please email Senior Medical Device Analyst, Michael Matson.