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Exhibit 10.18

English Translation

EQUIPMENT RENTAL AGREEMENT

|         |  |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
|-------- |  | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|BETWEEN: |  | LES SERVICES DE LOCATION HEARING CARE OF AMERICA (SLHCA) INC.,a
duly incorporated corporation established for a private interest,
having its head office at 2770 Chemin du Lac, Longueuil, Quebec,
J4N 1B8, herein represented by Mr. Steve Forget, duly authorized
as he so declares,
|        
|         |  | (Hereinafter referred to as the Lessor);                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
|        
|AND:     |  | COUSINEAU, DOUCET, PARENT, FORGET, AUDIOPROTHÉSISTES,s.e.n.c., a
general partnership, having its head office at 44 Côte du Palais,
Quebec City, Province of Quebec, G1R 4H8, herein represented by
Mr. Martin Cousineau, duly authorized as he so declares,                           
|        
|         |  | (Hereinafter referred to as the Lessee);                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

THE PARTIES AGREE AS FOLLOWS:



|1. |  | The Lessorleases to the Lessee, and the Lesseeagrees to lease from the
Lessor, all the equipment and property in replacement therefor needed for
the practice of the profession of hearing aid acoustician and meeting the
standards required by applicable laws (hereinafter referred to as the
Equipment), for the duration and at the rates referred to in Schedule
B hereto.
|-- |  | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|  
|2. |  | All applicable taxes including, but not limited to, the goods and
services tax and the Quebec sales tax shall be added to the sums due by
the Lesseeto the Lessorhereunder.                                                                                                                                                                                                         
|  
|3. |  | Any amount due hereunder not paid by the Lesseeto the Lessoron the due
date shall bear interest at the prime rate of the Lessors banker plus
five percent (5%) per annum.                                                                                                                                                                                                          
|  
|4. |  | The Lessor shall cause the Equipmentto be used only by competent and
duly qualified employees in a proper manner according to the
manufacturers instructions. The Equipmenthereby leased shall be used
solely for professional purposes.                                                                                                                                           
|  
|5. |  | The Lesseeacknowledges that the Lessorhas made no representations or
given any warranties, either express or implied, as to the condition of
the Equipmentand the Lesseeaccepts the Equipmentin its current
condition.                                                                                                                                                              





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|6. |  | The Lesseeshall ensure that the Equipmentis not encumbered by any
charge of any kind whatsoever and shall pay any and all taxes, permits,
assessments and/or fines that may be collected or levied on or in relation
to the Equipmentor the use thereof.
|-- |  | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|  
|7. |  | The terms and conditions appearing in Schedule A hereto shall form an
integral part of this Agreement and have been initialled by the parties.                                                                                                        
|  
|8. |  | This Agreement may be renewed by agreement between the parties.                                                                                                                                                                                         

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, THE PARTIES HAVE SIGNED AT Montreal, ON DECEMBER 1, 2000

THE LESSOR:

LES SERVICES DE LOCATION HEARING CARE OF AMERICA INC.

|    |  |             
|--- |  | ------------
|By: |  |             
|    |  | Steve Forget

THE LESSEE:

COUSINEAU, DOUCET, PARENT, FORGET, AUDIOPROTHÉSISTES, s.e.n.c.

|    |  |                 
|--- |  | ----------------
|By: |  |                 
|    |  | Martin Cousineau





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SCHEDULE A



|1. |  | The word Equipment as used herein includes all accessories and spare
parts and any change, addition, improvement and/or partial or complete
replacement thereof or thereto, the whole subject to the terms and
conditions set forth herein.                                                                                                                      
|-- |  | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|  
|2. |  | The Lessorshall, at its own expense, take out general liability
insurance and maintain such insurance in effect for the duration of this
contract.                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
|  
|3. |  | The Equipmentshall be and remain movable property at all times for the
duration of this lease.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
|  
|4. |  | The Lesseeagrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Lessorfrom and in
respect of any and all claims, actions, suits, proceedings, costs,
expenses, losses and liabilities, including the fees of its legal counsel,
resulting from or relating to the Equipment, but not limited thereto.                                                                          
|  
|5. |  | The Lessorshall, at its own expense, maintain the Equipmentin good
working order and repair at all times and shall supply each and every
part, piece and device needed to maintain the Equipmentin good working
order and repair.                                                                                                                                  
|  
|6. |  | The Lesseeshall not make any change, addition or improvement to the said
Equipment without the Lessors prior written consent. Any such change,
addition or improvement so made shall be and remain the Lessors property.                                                                                                                                         
|  
|7. |  | The Lessorand its specifically designated employees or agents shall have
reasonable access to the said Equipment at all times for the purpose of
inspecting, maintaining or repairing same.                                                                                                                                                                        
|  
|8. |  | The Lesseemay not transfer, surrender or sublease the Equipment, nor may
this lease be assigned by the Lesseewithout the Lessors written
permission, which permission may be withheld by the Lessorin its sole
discretion for any reason. If permission is granted by the Lessor, such
permission shall not relieve the Lesseeof any of its obligations
hereunder.
|  
|9. |  | Each of the following events shall constitute an event of default:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 



| | a) |  | if the Lesseemakes an assignment for the benefit of its
creditors;                                                                
| | -- |  | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
| | b) |  | if a receiver, trustee or other similar official is appointed
to administer the property of the Lessee;                           
|
| | c) |  | if a petition in bankruptcy or a petition for reorganization
is made by or against the Lessee;                                    
|
| | d) |  | if the Lesseecommits any other act of bankruptcy or if a
winding-up order is issued by a competent court;                         
|
| | e) |  | if a serious threat exists that all or any part of the
Equipmentcould be confiscated, sequestered or seized by judicial
authority;
|
| | f) |  | if the Equipmentor a part thereof is in danger of being
lost, damaged or destroyed by any cause or for any reason;                





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| | g) |  | if the Lesseebecomes insolvent;                                                                                                                                                                    
| | -- |  | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
| | h) |  | if the Lesseefails to abide by or perform any term,
undertaking or condition of this lease or any other lease or
agreement that is or may be entered into by and between the Lessor
and the Lessee;
|
| | i) |  | if the Lesseefails to make its rental payments on time or to
pay the Lessor, on request, any other sum owed as specified herein.                                                                   



|10. |  | Upon the occurrence of any event of default, the Lessormay terminate
this lease with or without notice to the Lessee, whereupon the Lessee
shall be required to return the Equipmentto the Lessorand surrender
possession of the premises and shall also be liable to the Lessorfor full
payment of the rental, which shall become immediately due and payable. In
addition, the Lesseeshall be liable for any loss that the Lessormay
sustain owing to the Lessees breach of contract.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
|--- |  | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|   
|11. |  | All rights and/or remedies conferred on the Lessorhereunder may be
exercised in the Lessorssole discretion and are cumulative, not
alternative, and may be exercised by the Lessorseparately or together, in
any order, sequence or combination.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
|   
|12. |  | The Lessorshall have no obligation to allow the Lesseeto cure a
default. Should the Lessor, in its sole discretion, allow the Lesseeto
cure a default, such action by the Lessor shall not be deemed to
constitute express or tacit acceptance of any events of default that occur
thereafter.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
|   
|13. |  | The Lesseeacknowledges that the Lessormay from time to time change the
rates applicable in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and
the schedules hereto, so as to take into consideration any change that the
Lessoris called upon to make for any reason, such as, but not limited to,
any change of premises and/or any renewal or replacement of the said
Equipment. The rates charged hereunder shall be those set forth in
Schedule C hereto.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
|   
|14. |  | Upon the expiry of the term contemplated in Schedule A hereto or the
expiry of any renewal period, the Lesseeshall, at its own expense, return
the Equipment, which it shall have first packaged for shipping according
to the Lessors instructions, to the Lessorat the location designated by
the Lessoror a carrier operating in the municipalities where the
Equipmentis located. If the Lesseefails to proceed in this manner within
ten (10) days following the expiry of the term of this Agreement, the
Lessorshall be entitled to repossess the Equipmentin the premises where
same is located, at the Lessees expense, with or without judicial
process, the Lesseewaiving in advance any claim for damages which it
might otherwise assert by reason of the action of the Lessoror its
authorized agents. The decision of the Lessornot to request or demand the
immediate return of the Equipmentupon the expiry of this Agreement shall
not be deemed to constitute a renewal of this Agreement, in whole or in
part, by the Lessorin favour of the Lessee. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, if the Lessee, for any reason, should remain in possession of
the Equipmentafter the expiry of the term, the Lesseeshall pay the
additional rental for the period for which its possession of the Equipment
is extended, at the same rate as the rental stipulated herein.
|   
|15. |  | All notices hereunder must be given in writing.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
|   
|16. |  | Any notice shall be validly given if delivered in person, sent by
registered mail or faxed to the intended recipient at the address first
stated above.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               





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|17. |  | Any notice given in the manner aforesaid shall be deemed to have been
received at the time of delivery if delivered in person, on the third
business day following the mailing date if mailed, or on the business day
following the transmission date if faxed.
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|   
|18. |  | Each party may notify the other, in the manner aforesaid, of any change
of address for purposes of the giving of notices.                                                                                                                                      
|   
|19. |  | The parties acknowledge that title to and ownership of the Equipment
vests and shall at all times vest in the Lessor. The Lesseeshall have no
ownership rights therein other than the right to use the Equipment.                                              
|   
|20. |  | Subject to the provisions hereof, this Agreement shall be binding on the
successors and assigns and on the administrators of the Lessee.                                                                                                                       
|   
|21. |  | The parties hereto elect domicile in the judicial district of Quebec for
all legal purposes and jurisdiction of the courts.                                                                                                                                    





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SCHEDULE B

The charges payable under this Agreement are set for each clinic where the
Lesseerenders professional services to the public. The charges payable for
each clinic are determined from time to time and contain the details applicable
to the Equipment.

The charges may vary from year to year so as to take into consideration the
increase in the Lessors fixed base costs which include, but are not limited
to, the rent for the premises, the applicable taxes, the insurance cost, the
cost related to the maintenance of the Equipment, and other similar expenses.
The charges shall also be subject to the increases generated by the renewal or
replacement of the Equipment. All the said fixed base costs shall be charged
back to the Lesseeover and above the Lessors management fee.

The charges for the year starting on December 1, 2000 and ending on November
30, 2001 are more fully detailed in Schedule C hereto.





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SCHEDULE C

|                       |  |        |     |                |  |   |        | 
|---------------------- |  | ------ | --- | -------------- |  | - | ------ | 
|Monthly Charges       
|                      
|List of Quebec Clinics |  | Suffix |     | Monthly Rental
|                       |  |        |     |               
|Anjou                  |  |        | 502 |                |  | $ | 3,157  | 
|Longueuil              |  |        | 503 |                |  | $ | 2,194  | 
|St-Georges de Beauce   |  |        | 504 |                |  | $ | 4,823  | 
|Ste-Marie de Beauce    |  |        | 505 |                |  | $ | 620    | 
|Beauort                |  |        | 506 |                |  | $ | 517    | 
|Côte-Du-Palais         |  |        | 507 |                |  | $ | 1,263  | 
|Fleury                 |  |        | 508 |                |  | $ | 980    | 
|Mailloux               |  |        | 509 |                |  | $ | 2,765  | 
|Queen Mary             |  |        | 510 |                |  | $ | 1,467  | 
|Rimouski               |  |        | 511 |                |  | $ | 2,605  | 
|Gaspésie               |  |        | 512 |                |  | $ | 201    | 
|Ste-Foy                |  |        | 513 |                |  | $ | 1,711  | 
|Sherbrooke Street      |  |        | 515 |                |  | $ | 751    | 
|D.V.A                  |  |        | 516 |                |  | $ | 0      | 
|Pointe-Claire          |  |        | 518 |                |  | $ | 2,114  | 
|Valleyfield            |  |        | 519 |                |  | $ | 63     | 
|Greenfield Park        |  |        | 520 |                |  | $ | 1,526  | 
|St-Hyacinthe           |  |        | 521 |                |  | $ | 3,634  | 
|Bélanger               |  |        | 522 |                |  | $ | 1,008  | 
|Repentigny             |  |        | 523 |                |  | $ | 0      | 
|Gatineau               |  |        | 524 |                |  | $ | 5,490  | 
|Hull                   |  |        | 525 |                |  | $ | 142    | 
|Aylmer                 |  |        | 527 |                |  | $ | 307    | 
|                       |  |        |     |                |  | $ | 37,336 |