Bernafon NEO User Manual

NEO

In-the-ear hearing instruments

INSTRUCTIONS
FOR USE

Summary

Operating Instructions for
ITE (In-the-Ear) Hearing Instruments

Features 4

Inserting Instrument 5

Removing Instrument 7

ON/OFF 8

Volume Control 9

Push Button 10

Telecoil 11

Directionality 12

Battery Replacement 13

Battery Indicator 14

Battery Information 14

Safety Guidelines 16

International Warranty 18

Push Button Configuration 19

2

Congratulations on the purchase of your new hearing
instruments. These advanced devices are

fully digital

and have been adjusted by your

hearing care
professional with the aid of a computer and specially
developed software. They are custom made to fit your
specific hearing needs.

Please follow these instructions when using and caring
for your new hearing instruments. These guidelines
will help you to achieve the best possible results from
your instruments and to once again enjoy the sounds
of life… your family, friends and environment.

Important

Please read the entire content of these instructions
as well as the attached “Guide for Better Hearing”
before using your hearing instruments.

3

The following hearing instruments are
covered by these operating instructions:

Neo 401/411 Neo 301/302/322/352

Neo 315/355 DM Neo 202

Note: Custom hearing instruments vary in size and
shape due to the unique characteristics of individual
ears.

Description of features

1 Vent
2 Canal
3 Sound outlet with Wax Protection
4 Helix
5 Microphone opening
6 Battery drawer
7 Push button
8 Pull out string
9 Volume control

10 Directional microphone opening (Neo 315/355 only)

4

1

2

8

3

6

5

5

1

2

6

3

4

9

7

10

7

7

5

Inserting your hearing instrument

Inserting your hearing instruments correctly every time
takes

practice, patience and perseverance.

If you are having difficulty inserting your hearing instru­ments, please consult your hearing care professional.

• The right instrument has a red marking,

the left instrument has a blue marking.

• Insert your right hearing

instrument with your right
hand. Use your left hand
for the left instrument.

• Hold your hearing instrument

between your thumb and index finger
with the microphone towards the top.

• Place the canal part of your hearing

instrument into your ear canal.

• Gently pull your ear lobe down with

the other hand while pushing the
hearing instrument in until it feels secure.

6

• If your ear is becoming sore from trying to insert
the hearing instrument, spread a small amount of
Vaseline around the outer edges of the hearing
instrument to help it slip into position more easily.
Be careful not to get any Vaseline into the sound
outlet. If your ear remains sore, please consult
your hearing care professional.

• If you have difficulty inserting the hearing instrument,
pull the top of the ear back and up with your other
hand while continuing to gently push the hearing
instrument into the ear.

If the helix does not fit properly (Neo 202)

Look in a mirror. If the helix part (see page 4) of the
hearing instrument is visible, it is not inserted cor­rectly. Run your index finger down the skin just in
front of your ear. If you can touch the helix part of the
instrument, it is not inserted correctly. Use your
index finger to push the helix part of your hearing
instrument back behind the flap of skin. It may help
to gently pull this flap of skin forward with the other
hand at the same time.

7

Removing your hearing instrument

• Gently use your thumb to push up against the bot­tom (back part) of your ear to loosen the hearing
instrument.

• Grasp the hearing instrument at its edge between
your thumb and forefinger, and gently remove it
from your ear.

• If your hearing instrument has a removal (pull-out)
string, pull it gently.

Important
Do not try to remove your hearing instrument by
pulling on the battery drawer. This may cause dam­age. In case of problems when removing the hearing
instrument, contact your hearing care professional.

8

ON/OFF control

ON:

Close the battery drawer securely. Push it down until it
snaps closed. The hearing instrument will make a beep.

OFF:

Place your fingernail underneath
the front edge of the battery
drawer and lift to open.

open closed
(OFF) (ON)

Note: Never force the battery drawer open or closed.

9

Volume control (Neo 302, 315/355, 322/352 and 202)

To increase the volume: Turn the

volume control towards your front.

To decrease the volume: Turn the
volume control towards your back.

The volume control has no mechanical stop. This means
that you can continue to turn it, but the loudness will only
be altered between the programmed minimum and maxi­mum.

Note:

The instrument loudness level will reset when the
battery is low, the battery drawer is opened or if the pro­gram is changed. If the instrument resets, it will automat­ically default to the preset loudness level.

Your hearing care professional can program the volume
control to remain at a fixed level, if desired.

Note: If you find that you are frequently turning the
volume control up or frequently turning the volume
control down in most listening situations then consult
your hearing care professional for a possible adjust­ment of the hearing instrument settings.

Louder Softer

Push button

Use the push button to change
between programs.

When the hearing instrument is turned on it will automati­cally be in program 1.

Press the push button once to change to program 2. You
will hear two short beeps. For hearing instruments
equipped with a directional microphone, program 2 is
always the directional mode.

For hearing instruments equipped with a telecoil. Press
the push button once again to change to telecoil. You will
hear three short beeps.

If you wish to return to program 1 then press the push
button again. You will hear one short beep.

Repeat this action to cycle through the programs.

To see how your instruments are programmed see page 19

Mute function

Press the push button and hold for 2 to 3 seconds to
mute the hearing instrument. Give a short press to the
push button to unmute. The hearing instrument will
revert to its current program and will beep to tell you
which program you are in.

10

11

Telecoil)
(Optional for Neo 301/302, 315/355, 322/352 and 202)

As an option, your hearing instrument may be fitted
with either one or both of the following telecoils:

❑ Manual telecoil

❑ Automatic telecoil

The telecoil enables you to hear better when using the
telephone or in places where inductive loop systems
are installed (places of worship, churches, theaters,
etc.). When the telecoil is active, you will hear directly
through the inductive loop or telephone. To access the
telecoil mode, press the push button until you hear
three beeps (two pushes if you were previously in the
first program).

If your hearing instrument is equipped with an automatic
telecoil it is activated only with magnet-equipped tele­phones and not with induction loop systems. Follow the
instructions for use from your hearing care professional.

Typically, the microphone is automatically switched off
when the telecoil is activated, to reduce any background
noise. Your hearing care professional can program the
telecoil to function in combination with the microphone.

12

Your hearing instrument has been programmed for

❑ Microphone and telecoil (M+T)

❑ Telecoil only (T)

Note: Not all telephones are hearing instrument
compatible

Directionality (Neo 315/355 only)

Omni-Directional mode (program 1)

This mode will provide clear sound from all directions,
in normal listening situations when on the street,
when listening to music or in quiet situations. This
mode is for everyday, typical use.

Directional mode (program 2)

The directional microphone focuses on speech and
sound coming from directly in front of you.
Background sounds and other disturbing noises from
the sides or from the back will be reduced, making it
easier for you to focus on your conversation.

Note: When using the directional mode you may not

hear important sounds from behind. Use is not recom­mended

in situations where sound from all directions

is needed (e.g. traffic).

1313

Battery replacement

• The following battery sizes are used:

Neo 202 Battery size 13
Neo 301/302/315/355/322/352 Battery size 312
Neo 401/411 Battery size 10

• Use your fingernail to gently swing the battery
drawer fully open, but do not force it.

• Take out the used battery.

• Remove colored sticker from
new battery (if applicable).

• Match flat, smooth side of
battery (+ sign) to side of battery
drawer with «+» sign.

• Slide battery into battery drawer.
The battery must fit flush into the drawer.

• Close battery drawer securely.

Never force the battery drawer closed.

14

Battery Indicator

When the battery power is about to run out, the instru­ment will beep at regular intervals.

This warning indi-

cates that the battery should be replaced immediately.

Note: The battery low indication is not available in
Neo 401/411 styles.

Battery Information

• Battery life will vary with conditions of use. See your
hearing care professional for more information.

• Always keep spare batteries on hand. These are
available from your hearing care professional.

• A used battery should be replaced immediately.

• If you are not going to use your hearing instruments
for a few days, remove the batteries.

• Only use batteries recommended by your hearing
care professional, since poor quality batteries can
produce a harmful substance.

1515

• At bedtime, or at times when you are not wearing
your hearing instrument, fully open the battery
drawer. This may help conserve battery power and
reduce the impact of moisture.

• Any moisture found on a battery should be wiped
off immediately, with a soft cloth.

• Used batteries should be returned to your battery
supplier or hearing care professional for disposal.

• Never dispose of batteries by burning them. There
is a risk that they may explode and cause injury.

• Never dispose of batteries with household waste.
They can cause environmental pollution.

Note: Always remove zinc-air batteries before drying

your hearing instrument with the help of a drying kit.
Drying out zinc-air batteries shortens their life time.

16

Safety guidelines

Hearing instruments and batteries can be dangerous if
swallowed or improperly used. Such actions can result
in severe injury, permanent hearing loss or even fatality.

Familiarize yourself completely with the following
general warnings and the full contents of this booklet
before using your hearing instruments.

•

Hearing instruments should be used only as directed
and adjusted by your trained hearing care profes­sional. Misuse or improper adjustments can result
in sudden and permanent hearing loss.

•

Never allow others to wear your hearing instruments,
because they are adjusted for your hearing require­ments and may permanently damage another
person’s hearing.

•

A slap to your ear while wearing the instrument could
be harmful. Avoid wearing your hearinginstrument
while playing contact sports (e.g rugby, football etc.).

•

Hearing instruments, their parts and batteries should
be kept out of reach of anyone who might swallow
these items or otherwise cause themselves injury.

• Discard batteries out of reach of infants, small
children, pets or persons of mental incapacity.

1717

• Clean your hearing instruments and their parts on a
regular basis only with products that are recom­mended by your hearing care professional.
Microorganisms from unclean instruments may
cause skin irritations.

• Be careful with leaking battery liquid, as it is a
hazardous substance.

• Never try to recharge non-rechargable batteries.

• Never change the battery or adjust the controls of
the hearing instrument in front of infants, small
children and persons of mental incapacity.

• Never put your hearing instrument or batteries in
your mouth, they could easily be swallowed.

• Keep batteries away from medications. Batteries are
easily mistaken for pills.

• In case a battery or hearing instrument is swallowed,
see a doctor immediately.

• Be aware of the possibility that your instruments may
stop functioning without notice. Keep this in mind
while you circulate in traffic or otherwise depend on
warning sounds.

• Never insert cleaning tools into the sound outlet or
microphone inlet. This could damage the hearing
instruments.

18

International warranty

Your hearing instruments are covered by a limited
warranty, covering defects in materials and
workmanship. This warranty covers the hearing
instruments themselves, but not accessories such
as batteries, etc.

This warranty is void if a defect is the result of misuse
or mistreatment.

The warranty is also void if the hearing instruments
have been repaired by nonauthorized service personnel.
Please review your warranty with your hearing care
professional and make sure that your warranty card
is completed correctly.

Environmental protection

Help to protect the environment by not disposing of
your hearing instruments or batteries with your
unsorted household waste. Please recycle your hear­ing instruments and batteries or return them to your
hearing care professional for disposal. Contact your
hearing care professional for more information.

19

Push button configuration

Your hearing instruments are programmed in the following
way:

❑

Omni Directional Hearing Instruments (Neo ______)

Program Beeps Function

1 1 Normal listening situations
2 2 ❑ Noise

❑ Music
❑ Car noise

Telecoil 3 ❑ Telecoil

❑ Telecoil with microphone

❑

Directional Hearing Instruments (Neo ______)

Program Beeps Function

1 1 Normal listening situations
2 2 Noise (Directional)
Telecoil 3 ❑ Telecoil only

❑ Telecoil with microphone

20

Notes

Bernafon Australia Pty. Ltd.

Unit 12/97 Castlemaine Street
Milton QLD 4064
Australia
Freecall 1800 809 111
Phone [phone]
Fax [phone]
www.bernafon.com.au

Bernafon Canada Ltd.

500 Trillium Drive Unit 15
Kitchener, Ontario N2R 1A7
Canada
Toll free 1 800 265 8250
Phone [phone]
Fax [phone]
www.bernafon.ca

Bernafon, LLC

200 Cottontail Lane, Bldg. B
Somerset, NJ 08873
USA
Phone [phone]
Fax [phone]
www.bernafon-us.com

Manufacturer:

Bernafon AG

Morgenstrasse 131
3018 Bern
Switzerland
Phone [phone]
Fax [phone]

www.bernafon.com

Bernafon UK

Cadzow Industrial Estate
Low Waters Road
Hamilton
ML3 7QE Scotland
Phone [phone]
Fax [phone]
www.bernafon.co.uk

Bernafon New Zealand Ltd.

Level 1, Building F
27-29 William Pickering Drive
Albany, Auckland 0632
New Zealand
Freecall 0800 442 257
Phone [phone]
Fax [phone]
www.bernafon.co.nz

www.hear-it.org
For more information about
hearing and hearing loss

11.08/ BAG/956-73 -710-0 0/ subject to change