UPDATE 1-Demant FY EBIT 1 bln dkk, eyes product launches

* 2008 operating profit falls 18 pct

* Sees signs that adverse conditions will prevail in 2009

* Shares rise 6.3 pct on back of product launches

(Adds details, analyst share)

COPENHAGEN, March 10 (Reuters) - Danish hearing-aid maker William Demant (WDH.CO) posted an 18-percent fall in full-year 2008 operating profit and said signs from its main markets were that adverse conditions would prevail in 2009.

However Demant said on Tuesday it would launch two new product families this year in the lower end of the mid-range price segment and said it would start to develop bone-anchored hearing aids, which target people who cannot be helped with ordinary aids.

By 1210 GMT, Demant shares were 6.3 percent higher at 198.75 crowns.

Sydbank analysts Morten Imsgaard said he believed the shares were rising on the news of the planned product launches.

"It seems very sensible to strengthen their mid-range offering when you look at the economic development recently. It looks as if they are spot on in the market," he said.

Demant reported earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) of 1.0 billion crowns ($177.4 million), against the mean forecast of 1.1 billion crowns in a Reuters poll of analysts and 1.3 billion in 2007.

"For 2009, we estimate flat volume growth in the market, and average selling prices are expected to contribute neutrally or negatively to market growth," Demant said in a statement.

Sales last year dropped 2 percent to 5.4 billion crowns from 5.5 billion in 2007 and compared with the average in the poll of 5.3 billion.

The Danish firm said that it believed that average selling prices came under pressure, particularly in the second half of 2008. (Editing by Hans Peters) ($1=5.872 Danish Crown)