Better hearing Ready... Set... Go!

Transcription

1 Better hearing Ready... Set... Go! JUST THE BASICS 1. Insert the battery. 2. Attach the ear tip and tubing. 3. Fit the BTE behind your ear and ear tip (or custom earmold) in your ear. 4. Adjust the volume. It s normal for hearing aids to whistle when adjusted. See page 17 for tips to stop whistle (feedback). HB-37 HB-53 HB-79 Look inside for complete instructions. Hearing Help Express, Inc. Your complete BTE guide.

2 You made a great choice! 2 Congratulations on your choice of a behind-the-ear hearing aid. They are smaller today than ever before and all have a great, clear sound. You ll enjoy all the benefits of a BTE (behind-the-ear) hearing aid, especially knowing how little you paid. Very durable Comfortable fit with soft ear tips or custom earmold Increased power Additional sound output controls So, put your BTE to the test and find out if it s right for you. We only ask that you read these instructions so you can make the most of your behind-the-ear hearing aid. And do take advantage of your 45 day home trial. Sincerely, Jim & Catherine

3 Introduction Table of contents Parts identified How to insert battery How to attach ear tip Choosing which ear hook/ear tip How to tell right from left Insert and remove BTE Helpful tips Adjusting the volume Slide controls Talking on the telephone Care and Cleaning Custom earmold Troubleshooting/service Additional information HB-37 specifications HB-53 specifications HB-79 specifications Hearing aid batteries Table of contents Warranty N 1st Street PO Box 586 DeKalb, IL Questions, call toll-free:

4 BTE parts identified HB HB-53P HB located on back Earhook (sound outlet) How to turn the BTE 2 - Microphone (sound inlet) on and off: 3 - Volume Control You move the switch from 4 - Additional Controls (may be hidden O (off) to M (microphone on) under a door) to turn the BTE on and off. Controls described on p On/Off Control 6 - Battery Door 4 Serial number is located on the back of the hearing aid or inside the battery door.

5 How to insert battery in your BTE Positive + Mark of positive side + 1. Remove the colored tab from the flat, positive side (+) of the battery. Batteries need a few minutes to activate. 2. Open battery compartment gently, with a finger nail. 3. Place the battery in the battery door - NOT directly inside the hearing aid. When correctly installed the + sign on the battery and the battery door will both be visible. The door should close easily. If not, the battery is probably upside down. How to insert battery 5

6 How to attach ear tip Your BTE hearing aid comes complete with one soft, silicone ear tip (size #2 for women and size #3 for men). If you would like to improve the fit, you can select from five different size ear tips. (Ordering information on p. 8.) How to attach ear tip and tubing: 1 2 Attach ear tip 1. Push the soft, silicone ear tip onto the elbow joint tubing until held securely in place. Put tip and BTE in place 2. Place the ear tip in your ear and the hearing aid over your ear. 6 continued9

7 3 Cut off extra tubing 3. Observe where the tubing overlaps the earhook and mark the tubing leaving an 1/8 to 1/4 inch overlap. Cut off any extra tubing. 4 Attach tubing to earhook 4. Insert the tip of the earhook into the tubing. If it is hard to insert, warm the tip of the flexible tubing with hot water. Attention: Please make sure ear tips are securely attached to the tubing and to your BTE hearing aid before using so they do not come off in your ear. Order replacement BTE Elbow Joint Small elbow joint and tubing attaches to BTE ear tip and BTE hearing aid. #88571 $2.00 Elbow joint shown with ear tip. Ear tip sold separately. SAVE: 3 for only $5.00 How to attach ear tip 7

8 Customize your fit 8 Earhooks: The earhook should fit as shown. If not, call to order a different size earhook. You can also try adjusting the length of the tubing to get a proper fit. BTE Ear Hooks Three sizes of ear hooks for the best fit for you. Small #88112, Medium #88113, Large #88114 $7.95 each Ear tips: Ear tips come in five different sizes. Each BTE is sent to you with one soft silicone ear tip (size #2 for women and size #3 for men). You can improve the fit by using a different size ear tip. Ear tips can be cleaned or replaced when necessary. Good fit small med-small medium med-large large small (#1) #88581 $2.50 medium-small (#2) #88582 $2.50 medium (#3) #88583 $2.50 medium-large (#4) #88584 $2.50 large (#5) #88585 $2.50 SAVE: 3 of any size for only $5.95

9 How to tell your right aid from your left aid: Behind-the-ear hearing aids can be used on either ear. Once you have attached your ear tip or custom earmold your hearing aid is set for either your right or left ear. You can identify which ear by the direction the ear tip is facing. The ear tip will point to the right for the left ear and point to the left for the right ear. End Itchy Ears Now there is a safe, all-natural solution to help ears stay healthy. MiraCell helps relieve itchy, irritated ears. It also has mild antibacterial, antifungal and anti-yeast properties. Try it today for happy ears. 1/2 oz bottle. Item #88851 Call to order. Which is right and left? 9

10 Insert & remove BTE 10 Inserting and removing: 1. Hold the tubing behind the ear tip and insert into your ear. If using a custom earmold, make sure it is correctly positioned in your ear. The top and bottom of the earmold should fit securely. 2. Place the BTE behind your ear by slipping it over the top of your ear. Some people prefer to first place the BTE over their ear and then insert the ear tip. Experiment and find what works best for you. Reverse steps 1 and 2 when removing the BTE hearing aid.

11 1. Start Slowly Begin by using your new hearing aid a few hours a day while you are alone. If you are not used to wearing a hearing aid, you will probably notice many sounds you have not heard in a while. Crackling paper, may be surprisingly loud. Other sounds like the refrigerator or air conditioner may feel uncomfortable. With time you should be able to focus on the sounds you want to hear. Hearing aids will not restore your old hearing, but with time and practice, they can help. 2. Read Out Loud Your own voice will sound different to you. Try reading out loud for 15 minutes a day to get used to the sound of your own voice. 3. Practice Listening to One Voice Start in a quiet environment listening to the radio or your favorite TV show. Then practice listening with one friend or family member at a time. 4. Listen and Talk in Small Groups Next try talking with a small group of friends or family members in a quiet setting. Crowded places such as restaurants or churches are likely to have more background noise that can interfere with your understanding. Remember, it is difficult for most people to understand in these situations. So, be patient and keep practicing. Your understanding should improve with time. Helpful tips 11

12 Adjusting the volume and slide controls 12 How to adjust the volume: You adjust the volume up and down by rotating the volume control wheel. The higher the number, the more the amplification. Note: Feedback (a whistling sound that hearing aids can make) can be caused by a hearing aid being set too loud. If you experience feedback, reduce the volume slightly. The feedback should then stop. Setting descriptions: O: Power off. Use when your BTE hearing aid is not in use. T: Telephone coil (if available). Use when talking on the telephone or with a loop system. Your BTE will then only pick up electromagnetic signals produced by telephones and loop systems. M: Microphone working, power on. Use for everyday listening. S: Power on and noise suppressor activated.

13 Talking on the telephone: You can use your hearing aid while talking on the telephone. Simply hold the phone over your Behind-the-Ear hearing aid (up and behind your ear). It may also be necessary to hold the telephone at a slight angle to avoid feedback. It s not hard with a little practice. If your hearing aid is equipped with a telecoil, talking on the telephone is easy. Move the slide control to the T setting and hold the telephone receiver near the hearing aid a little above your ear. You will only hear the sounds from the telephone. Note: T setting will not work with most cell phones. Portable Snap-On Telephone Amplifier Ideal for extra volume when traveling (or even at home)! The amplifier attaches with the elastic band to most phones and is hearing aid compatible. Item #88770 Call to order. Talking on the telephone 13

14 Care and cleaning Always clean your BTE hearing aid regularly. Without regular cleaning, wax and moisture can build up and prevent the hearing aid from working properly. It s best to clean your BTE in the morning before you use it. Cleaning Brush How to clean your hearing aid: 1. Wipe off the outside of the BTE hearing aid and the ear tip with a soft cloth. Ear tips can be replaced when necessary. 2. If wax or debris remains, use a small soft cleaning brush to gently remove it. 14 Protect your BTE Moisture can quickly damage your hearing aid. Remove harmful moisture with the Super Dri-Aid Kit. Easy to use. Store your BTE in the Dri-Aid Kit overnight. Pellets can be recharged and used indefinitely. Super Dri-Aid Kit, item #88740 Call to order.

15 The Do s and the Don ts: Open the battery door when not wearing your BTE hearing aid. Any moisture inside your hearing aid can then evaporate, extending the life of your BTE. With the battery door open, you can be assured your hearing aid is off and not squealing. A squealing aid can attract pets which have been known to chew on hearing aids and damage them beyond repair. Avoid extreme heat and cold when storing your hearing aid. Never place your hearing aid in water. If your BTE aid becomes wet, immediately remove the battery and let it stand in a dry place for several hours. Never use heat (blowdryer, oven, etc.) to dry your hearing aid. Before applying hair spray, perfume or cologne, be sure to remove your BTE hearing aids. Such sprays can damage hearing aids. Care and cleaning 15

16 Custom earmold 16 Improve your BTE with a custom earmold Reduce feedback (whistling) Reduce stuffed up feeling Reduce talking-in-barrel sound Making your earmold is easy. Step one: We ll send you a kit with materials and complete instructions so you or a friend can make your ear impression. (If you have had ear surgery or ear damage or if you have an unusual ear canal, have your doctor assist you.) Step two: Making an impression is easy. Already, over 100,000 people have made their own impression at home. Impression material sets up in minutes and easily can be removed from your ear. Of course, if you have any questions we re always happy to help. Step 3: Mail your ear impression to us and we use it to make your custom earmold. You can expect to receive a finished earmold in about two weeks. There s a refundable $19 charge for the impression kit that will be credited in full when you return your impressions. Plus, you ll get a $5.00 coupon with your earmold to be applied to any future order. Hard Lucite Soft 1 earmold #88421 $79.99 $ earmolds #88435 $ $ Making an Impression Soft & Hard Earmolds Wearing an Earmold

17 If your hearing aid is: WHISTLING (FEEDBACK) 1. Turn the volume down, it may be set too high. (p.12) 2. Check that your ear tip is inserted correctly. (p. 10) 3. Try a different size ear tip (p. 8) or if you have a custom earmold, select a vent plug with a smaller opening. If your hearing aid is: WEAK, DISTORTED, DEAD 1. Verify your BTE hearing aid is turned on and set to M. (p. 12) 2. Check that the battery is inserted correctly. (p. 5) 3. Try a fresh battery. 4. Clean your BTE hearing aid and ear tip thoroughly. (p ) 4. Verify that the tubing is attached (p.6-7) correctly and that it is soft and in good condition. If the tubing has hardened or is damaged, it should be replaced. 5. Your BTE will whistle when a hand, hat or other object is near it, bouncing amplified sound back into the BTE. 5. If your Behind-the-Ear hearing aid goes dead periodically, but comes on after several hours of rest, the problem may be a build-up of humidity. Try storing it in a dry-aid kit when not in use. Call toll-free to order. (p. 14) SERVICE If your hearing aid requires service, send it to: Hearing Help Express 105 N First St PO Box 586 DeKalb, IL Enclose a note with your name, address, 3. Pack your hearing aid securely in a sturdy phone number and a description of what box. (Do not mail hearing aids in an is wrong with your hearing aid. envelope, they could be destroyed 2. If your hearing aid is out of warranty, also during shipping!) We recommend include payment. (Call to verify price.) insured mail or UPS for your protection. Troubleshooting & Service 17

18 Precautions: A hearing aid is a precision electronic device and as such, it requires the care in use and handling that you would afford any fine piece of equipment. The following precautions are not meant to discourage normal use of your hearing aid, but are suggested to insure quality performance and long life from your hearing aid. Do not drop or throw your hearing aid, as this may damage internal components. Do not expose your hearing aid or batteries to excessive heat, such as from stove tops, hair dryers, heat lamps or your automobile rear shelf or glove compartment. Do not immerse your hearing aid in water or other liquids, or wear it while bathing, showering or swimming. If your hearing aid is to be stored for any length of time, be sure to remove the battery and store both in a cool, dry place.your hearing aid has been constructed from the finest materials, using the latest engineering technology; however, in rare instances, an individual may exhibit signs of skin irritation, allergic reaction, or accelerated accumulation of cerumen (earwax). If this occurs, consult your physician. Keep new and used batteries out of reach of children and those with diminished mental capacity. Batteries, if consumed, can be harmful. Consult your physician immediately and call the National Battery Hotline collect (202) Federal law permits an adult to purchase hearing aids by mail. You may either send a prescription or sign a medical waiver. Important Notice for Prospective Hearing Aid Users: Good health practice requires that a person with a hearing loss have a medical evaluation by a licensed physician (preferably a physician who specializes in diseases of the ear) before purchasing a hearing aid. Licensed physicians who specialize in diseases of the ear are often referred to as otolaryngologists, otolotists or otorhinolaryngologists. The purpose of a medical evaluation is to assure that all medically treatable conditions that may affect hearing are identified and treated before the hearing aid is purchased. Following the medical evaluation, the physician will give you a written statement that your hearing loss has been medically evaluated and that you may be considered a candidate for a hearing aid. The physician will refer you to an audiologist or a hearing aid dispenser, as appropriate, for a hearing aid evaluation.the audiologist or hearing aid dispenser will conduct a hearing aid evaluation to assess your ability to hear with and without a hearing aid.the hearing aid evaluation will enable the audiologist or dispenser to select and fit a hearing aid to your individual needs. If you have reservations about your ability to adapt to amplification, you should inquire about the availability of a trial, rental or purchase option program. Many hearing aid dispensers now offer programs that permit you to wear a hearing aid for a period of time for a nominal fee, after which you may decide if you want to purchase the hearing aid.

19 Federal law restricts the sale of hearing aids to those individuals who have obtained a medical evaluation from a licensed physician. Federal law permits a fully informed adult to sign a waiver statement declining the medical evaluation for religious or personal beliefs that preclude consultation with a physician. The exercise of such a waiver is not in your best health interest and its use is strongly discouraged. Children with Hearing Loss: In addition to seeing a physician for a medical evaluation, a child with a hearing loss should be directed to an audiologist for evaluation and rehabilitation since hearing loss may cause problems in language development and the educational and social growth of a child. An audiologist is qualified by training and experience to assist in the evaluation and rehabilitation of a child with a hearing loss. Warning to Hearing Aid Dispensers: A hearing aid dispenser should advise a prospective hearing aid user to consult promptly with a licensed physician (preferably an ear specialist) before dispensing a hearing aid if the hearing aid dispenser determines through inquiry, actual observation, or review of any other available information concerning the prospective user, that the prospective user has any of the following conditions: Warning Signs: 1. Visible congenital or traumatic deformity of the ear. 2. History of active drainage from the ear within the previous 90 days. 3. History of sudden or rapidly progressive hearing loss within the previous 90 days. 4. Acute or chronic dizziness. 5. Unilateral hearing loss of sudden or recent onset within the previous 90 days. 6. Audiometric air-bone gap equal to or greater than 15 decibels at 500 Hz, 1,000 Hz and 2,000 Hz. 7. Visible evidence of significant cerumen accumulation or a foreign body in the ear canal. 8. Pain or discomfort in the ear. NOTE: Special care should be exercised in selecting and fitting a hearing aid whose maximum sound pressure level exceeds 132 decibels because there may be a risk of impairing the remaining hearing of the hearing aid user. Hearing with Your New Amplification The world will seem noisier at first, but in time, you should become accustomed to your new listening experiences, learn to hear speech more clearly, and enjoy many of the special sounds you may have been missing. Obtaining maximum benefit from your new hearing aid(s) requires effort and practice on your part. Your new hearing aid(s) will not restore normal hearing and will not prevent or improve hearing impairment resulting from organic conditions. In most cases, infrequent use of the hearing aid(s) will not permit you to obtain full benefit from it. Follow the program recommended by your hearing professional. The use of your hearing instrument(s) is only part of your hearing rehabilitation, and you may need supplemental auditory training and instructions in lipreading.

20 HB-37 Specifications 20 HB-37S and 37T Specifications Maximum SSPL90 HFA SSPL90 HFA full-on gain Reference test gain Freq range Equivalent input noise Total harmonic distortion Induction coil sensitivity Range of volume control Input switch Output limiting control Tone control Batt type & current Battery life Dimensions MOP Control - Adjusts the maximum output sound volume. Turning the control counterclockwise reduces the maximum output by up to 10 db. 125 db 120 db 52 db 42 db S: Hz, T: Hz 25 db or less 800 Hz: 1.7% 1600 Hz: 1.1% 37T: 103 db 40 db O-S-M, O-T-M MOP cntrl range 10 db 37T: Low frequency cut 675,S: 1.25 & T: 1.38mA 37S: 420 & 37T: 380 hours 3.9 x 1.42 x 0.88 cm Tone Control (only 37T)- H setting amplifies the high frequency sounds more. The N setting is standard.

21 HB-53P Specifications Maximum SSPL90 HFA SSPL90 HFA full-on gain Reference test gain Freq range Equivalent input noise Total harmonic distortion Induction coil sensitivity Circuitry Input switch Output limiting control Tone control Batt type & current Battery life Dimensions 136 db 132 db 65 db 55 db 180Hz to 5600 Hz 23 db or less 500 Hz: 4% 800 Hz: 1.6%, 1600 Hz: 2% MOP Control - Adjusts the maximum output sound volume. Turning the control counterclockwise reduces the maximum output by up to 18 db Tone Control- Turning the control 112 db Push - Pull O-T-M MOP cntrl range 18 db Low frequency cut 13, 2.7mA 80 hours 3.55 x 1.3 x 0.88 cm from N to H2 reduces the amplification of low frequencies. Gain Control- Turning the control counterclockwise will reduce the acoustic gain by up to 30 db. HB-53P Specifications 21

22 HB-79 Specifications 22 HB-79 Specifications Maximum SSPL90 HFA SSPL90 HFA full-on gain Reference test gain Frequency range Equivalent input noise Total harmonic distortion 131 db 129 db 66 db 52 db 110 Hz to 5900 Hz 26 db 500 Hz: 3% 800 Hz: 2%, 1600 Hz: 1% Induction coil sensitivity 125 db at 10 ma/m AGC Output Power Control Output limiting cntrl OPC cntrl, range 18 db Tone control Tone H, Tone L Battery type & current 675, 4.9 ma Battery life 110 hours Dimensions 4.9 x 1.64 x 1.02 cm MT Balancer - Turning the control adjusts the volume of sound amplified by the microphone when using the telephone. When set to the T position, only the telephone will be heard. Tone H- Turn clockwise to reduce the amplification of low frequencies. Reduce up to 18 db at 500 Hz. Tone L- Turn counter-clockwise to reduce the amplification of high frequencies up to 12 db at 3000 Hz. Gain- Allows you to increase gain by up to 30dB. Set aid to M and volume to 3 then adjust. OPC- Turning the control towards the left reduces the maximum output level.

23 Size 13 and 675 shown below. All sizes (10, 312, 13 and 675) are available. You choose between two great battery brands. Xcell hearing aid batteries powered by 69 each Most popular sizes made in the USA Xcell spin-pack 24 batteries 85 each $ batteries 69 each $27.60 Renata hearing aid batteries Only 69 each Premium batteries Long lasting Renata spin-pack 18 batteries 77 each $ batteries 69 each $28.98 Hearing aid batteries 23

24 YOUR MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE FROM HEARING HELP EXPRESS Your 2-way assurance of complete satisfaction 45-Day, Risk-Free Trial 1. Money-Back Guarantee 2. Try your BTE Hearing Help Express hearing aid for 45 days risk-free. If you are not 100% satisfied, simply return all materials within 45 days from the date of delivery, and we will refund your full deposit. You are responsible for the safe return of all materials in their original condition. Please pack your hearing aid in a sturdy box. Please ship insured mail. One Year Warranty on Parts and Labor Your Hearing Help Express BTE hearing aid is warranteed for one year against defects in materials and workmanship. For service, replacement or repair, you must send your BTE hearing aid(s) to Hearing Help Express (not to the manufacturer) for this warranty to apply. Please pack your hearing aid in a sturdy box. Please ship insured mail. HH N 1st Street PO Box 586 DeKalb, IL Questions, call toll-free: