Efficient Networks CENTRA Life, CENTRA S, CENTRA VC User Manual

Siemens Hearing Instruments

CENTRA

®

Instruction Manual
for CENTRA

®

S, S VC, and Life

Behind-the-Ear Hearing Instruments

CENTRA S, S VC, and Life BTEs 1

Your CENTRA

®

Hearing Instruments

Siemens CENTRA®BTE (Behind-the-Ear) hearing
instruments are designed for comfort, perform­ance, and durability. They fit comfortably
behind your ears and are attached to custom­made earmolds or flexible LifeTubes and
LifeTips. Your CENTRA BTE will look similar to
one of the following illustrations (Fig. 1).

Microphones

Earhook

Memory button

Programming socket*

Audio input flap

CENTRA S

Battery
compartment door

2 Siemens Hearing Instruments

Centra S and S VC available with S-LifeTube

Microphones

CENTRA S/S VC with S-LifeTube

Memory button

Audio input flap

LifeTip

LifeTip
adapter

S-LifeTube

Battery

compartment

door

Microphones

Programming socket*

Volume control

wheel

Battery

compartment

door

Earhook

Programming
socket*

Audio
input flap

CENTRA S VC

CENTRA S, S VC, and Life BTEs 3

Fig. 1: Location of features

*Audiologist or Hearing Care Provider’s Use Only

LifeTube

Microphone
ports

LifeTip

LifeTip
Adapter

CENTRA Life

Battery
compartment
door

Programming
socket*

4 Siemens Hearing Instruments

Identifying the left and right
hearing instruments

CENTRA BTEs may be color-coded for your
convenience. The left ear hearing instrument
may
have a blue typeplate, and the right ear hearing
instrument may have a red typeplate (Fig. 2).

Fig. 2: Location of typeplate on

CENTRA S/CENTRA S VC

In addition, on CENTRA Life BTEs, the left ear
hearing instrument has a blue number on the
LifeTip Adapter, and the right ear hearing
instrument has a red number on the LifeTip
Adapter (Fig. 3).

Typeplate

CENTRA S, S VC, and Life BTEs 5

Fig. 3: Location of right and left designator

on LifeTip Adapter on CENTRA Life

Digital hearing instrument technology

Inside your hearing system, the microphone,
analog-to-digital converter, digital signal
processor, receiver, and other specialized
components process sound that is directed
tothe eardrum and auditory system.

The microphone picks up sound waves from the
air and converts them to electrical signals.
The analog-to-digital converter encodes the
electrical signals into a format that is usable
by the digital signal processor, which has been
programmed by your Audiologist or Hearing Care
Provider for your particular hearing loss. The
receiver converts the digitally processed signal
directly back into sound waves.

Color-coded number
on Tip Adapter

6 Siemens Hearing Instruments

Using your CENTRA
hearing instruments

Battery size

The chart below provides the proper battery
size used in your hearing instruments. It is
recommended that you also check with your
Audiologist or Hearing Care Provider regarding
the correct battery.

Model

Size

CENTRA S Behind-the-Ear 13

CENTRA S VC Behind-the-Ear 13

CENTRA Life Behind the Ear 312

Inserting the battery

To insert the battery into the hearing instrument,
use your fingernail to swivel open the door of the
battery compartment. Place the proper size
battery (see "Battery" section or consult your
Audiologist or Hearing Care Provider) in the
battery compartment so that the "+" symbol on
the battery coincides with the "+" mark on the
battery compartment door.

CENTRA S, S VC, and Life BTEs 7

Gently close the battery compartment. Do not
force the door shut. If it does not close easily,
check to see if the battery was inserted properly.
When the battery door is completely closed,
your hearing instrument is ready for
operation (Fig. 4).

Fig. 4: Inserting the battery

CENTRA Life

Battery

+

-

Opened battery
compartment door

CENTRA S/CENTRA S VC

8 Siemens Hearing Instruments

Battery compartment door lock

CENTRA S and CENTRA S VC hearing instruments
are equipped with a lock that prevents the
unintentional opening of the battery
compartment. This feature is located on the inner
side of the battery compartment door.

To lock the battery compartment, open the
compartment door to the first catch. Push the
slide toward the right. To unlock the battery
compartment for opening, open the door to the
first catch and push the slide to the left (Fig. 5).
Your Audiologist or Hearing Care Provider can
instruct you onthe use of this feature, if required.

Remember, the battery should be removed when
your hearing instruments are not in use. This
prevents possible damage from battery leakage
and avoids draining the batteries if the hearing
instruments are not switched off.

CENTRA S, S VC, and Life BTEs 9

Fig. 5: Battery compartment door lock

Low battery indicator

Your hearing instrument may be programmed to
inform you when the battery should be replaced
for best performance. If this is activated in your
hearing instruments, you may hear two long,
low-pitched beeps and/or experience low
amplification power or volume. Change the
battery immediately when either of these occur.

WARNING: Choking hazard posed by small parts.

• Keep hearing instruments, batteries, and
accessories out of children’s reach.

• If swallowed, consult a physician or a hospital
immediately.

10 Siemens Hearing Instruments

• If infants, small children, or mentally disabled
persons need to wear hearing instruments,
ensure adequate supervision.

Battery tips
CAUTION! Batteries can be harmful if swallowed.

• If a battery is accidentally swallowed,

seek medical attention immediately, or call

The National Button Battery Hotline collect
at [phone].

• Always use the battery size recommended on
your warranty card, or by your Audiologist
or Hearing Care Provider, for your model for
best performance.

• Remove the battery from your instrument
when not in use. This prevents possible
damage from expansion or leakage of the
battery, if the instrument is not fully turned
off.

• Always carry spare batteries in the event

that your current battery goes dead. Place
each spare battery in an individual, non­metallic container to prevent contact with
other batteries or metal objects, such as keys
or coins.

CENTRA S, S VC, and Life BTEs 11

• Follow your local recyclingrules for battery
disposal.

Note: Do not throw used batteries into household trash.

Return them to your Audiologist or Hearing Care
Provider for environmentally correct disposal.

WARNING: Risk in explosive environments, e.g.,
mining areas!

• Don’t use your hearing instruments (and
remote control) in areas where there is a
danger of explosions.

Turning the hearing instrument on or off

Using the battery door, insert a battery into the
instrument and completely close the door to turn
the instrument on. To turn the aid off using the
battery door, open it to the first catch.

CENTRA S hearing instruments may also be
programmed to allow you to turn them on and off
using the memory button. To turn the instrument
off using the memory button, press and hold the
button for 3 – 5 seconds. To turn it back on, press
and hold the memory button for 3 – 5 seconds.

12 Siemens Hearing Instruments

Please note that after having turned the hearing
instrument off using the memory button, you
must wait approximately 10 seconds for the
system to reset before turning it back on again
by using the memory button.

Check with your Audiologist or Hearing Care
Provider about which on/off functions are
available on your hearing instrument.

Power-on delay

Your hearing instruments may be equipped with
an advanced power-on delay feature. This feature
delays sound from entering your hearing
instruments when they are first turned on,
so that you may insert the instruments into your
ears without experiencing unpleasant feedback
(whistling).

CENTRA S, S VC, and Life BTEs 13

Attaching the earmold (where provided)

If your earmold detaches, gently insert the
earhook of the hearing instrument into the
tubing and earmold supplied by your Audiologist
or Hearing Care Provider (Fig. 6).

Fig. 6: Attaching the earmold

Inserting and removing hearing instruments
with earmold

Take the earmold between your thumb and
index finger. Gently work the earmold into its
proper position by adjusting it until it is firmly
seated in your ear. Then lift the hearing
instrument over the top of your ear and adjust it
to fit behind your ear (Fig. 7).

14 Siemens Hearing Instruments

Fig. 7: Inserting the hearing instrument

Lightly push on the back of the ear to help release
the earmold and gently pull it out (Fig. 8).

Fig. 8: Removing the hearing instrument

CENTRA S, S VC, and Life BTEs 15

Inserting and removing hearing instruments
with LifeTube or S-LifeTube

Take the LifeTip between your thumb and index
finger. Gently work the LifeTip into its proper
position by adjusting it until it is firmly seated
in your ear. Then lift the hearing instrument over
the top of your ear and adjust it to fit behind your
ear (Fig. 9). Finally, place the retention strand
into the bottom of the ''bowl'' of your ear.

Fig. 9: Inserting the hearing instrument

To remove the instrument, gently pull the LifeTip
out of your ear and carefully lift the hearing
instrument off your ear (Fig. 10). Do not pull or
tug on the LifeTube to remove the Tip or
instrument, or the LifeTube may become
damaged.

16 Siemens Hearing Instruments

Fig. 10: Removing the hearing instrument

Health considerations

If soreness or skin irritation develops,
discontinue wearing your hearing instrument and
bring the instrument and earmold to your
Audiologist or Hearing Care Provider. Minor fit
adjustments or earmold modification can often
correct this condition. If soreness persists,
discontinue wearing the hearing instrument and
see your physician.

If excessive ear wax accumulates when wearing
your hearing instruments, consult your
Audiologist or Hearing Care Provider.

CENTRA S, S VC, and Life BTEs 17

e2e wireless

®

e2e wireless®provides synchronization in
CENTRA hearing instruments. If you are wearing
two hearing instruments and change the
memory or volume on one instrument, the other
is automatically changed. Inaddition, e2e
wireless technology automatically adjusts
the system to change both hearing instruments
simultaneously to adapt to different listening
situations. The wireless functionality also
enables use of an optional ePocket

®

remote

control.

Your Audiologist or Hearing Care Provider can
provide more information on the wireless
functionality of your CENTRA hearing system.

Note: The performance of the e2e wireless could be

temporarily affected when in close proximity to
electromagnetic noise sources, such as a computer
monitor or television. Move away from the noise
source if you experience difficulty.

18 Siemens Hearing Instruments

ePocket remote control

An optional ePocket remote control is available
for all CENTRA hearing systems. ePocket can be
used to change the memory and volume of your
hearing instrument, as well as read out the
system settings without having to manually adjust
the hearing instruments.

For further information on the ePocket, speak to
your Audiologist or Hearing Care Provider, or
refer to the ePocket instruction manual, if
applicable.

Changing the memory

CENTRA BTEs may have up to four memories,
also called hearing programs. Each memory is
different and designed to help you hear better in
specific listening situations.

On CENTRA S BTEs, three of the four memories
are selected with the memory button of your
hearing instrument. The fourth memory is
activated automatically when an audio shoe is
attached to the hearing instrument (see "Audio
Input" section).

CENTRA S, S VC, and Life BTEs 19

Additional memories are available on CENTRA S
VC and CENTRA Life BTEs, if you use an
optional ePocket remote control.

When initially turned on (after the battery
compartment door is closed), the microphone
is ON and ready for general use, the default is
Memory 1. Your Audiologist or Hearing Care
Provider will provide you with the number of
memories most appropriate for your needs. Each
time you press the memory button on the
instrument or press the "P" button on the ePocket,
the instrument changes to the next memory. The
memory change may be confirmed by alerting
tones or beeps that correlate to the memory
you are in. That means if you select Memory 3,
then the hearing instrument beeps three times.

If you are wearing two CENTRA hearing
instruments, your Audiologist or Hearing Care
Provider can program them so that the memory
will be changed on both instruments at the same
time when you press the memory button.

20 Siemens Hearing Instruments

Below is a list of listening environments
programmed into your hearing system:

Memory Listening
number environment

1 _________________________________

2 _________________________________

3 _________________________________

4 Audio Input (CENTRA S and CENTRA S VC only)

Using the directional microphone system

According to your hearing needs, your CENTRA
BTE hearing systems can be adjusted to focus
on sounds in front of you (directional mode), for
when you are having a face-to-face
conversation in a noisy environment. The
hearing system can alsobe adjusted for when
you are in more quiet environments and want to
hear the sounds around you (omnidirectional).

Your Audiologist or Hearing Care Provider may
program the operation of the directional
microphone system to function automatically, or
in conjunction with the memory button (or
ePocket where applicable), based on your
particular hearing requirements. Consult your
Audiologist or Hearing Care Provider for more
information on use of the directional microphone
system based on the settings of your specific
hearing system.

Volume Control

Your CENTRA hearing instrument is fully
automatic. There is no need to manually adjust
the volume control. However, if you prefer
manualcontrol, your CENTRA S VC BTEs can
be programmed for manual adjustments with
a volume control wheel and/or the ePocket.
Volume on the CENTRA S and CENTRA Life BTEs
can only be programmed for adjustment using
the ePocket.

If your system is programmed for manual
adjustment, the wheel-shaped volume control
on the BTE can be rotated up or down, or the

CENTRA S, S VC, and Life BTEs 21

22 Siemens Hearing Instruments

volume up (+) and down (-) buttons on the
ePocket can be used to select the most desired
listening position (louder or softer).

To increase the volume, place your index finger
gently against the volume control wheel and
rotate it upwards or use the volume up button
on the ePocket. To reduce the volume, rotate the
wheel in the opposite direction or use the volume
down button on the ePocket. Once the maximum
or minimum volume has been reached,
further changes to the volume in that direction
will have no effect.

If you are wearing two hearing instruments, your
Audiologist or Hearing Care Provider can couple
the controls, so that the volume of both will
change at the same time when you adjust either
the volume control wheel or the ePocket.

You may hear soft beeps each time you change
the volume, then a three-beep warning when the
volume limit has been reached. These tones can
be enabled or disabled by your Audiologist or
Hearing Care Provider.

CENTRA S, S VC, and Life BTEs 23

If your hearing instrument has not been
programmed for manual control adjustment,
the volume will adjust automatically and
rotating the volume control wheel or using the
volume control buttons on your ePocket will
have no effect.

Learning volume preference feature
(where provided)

The learning volume preference feature retains
information on when and how you adjust the
volume on your CENTRA instruments
programmed for manual adjustment. Over time,
your CENTRA hearing system will automatically
adjust to that preferred volume in each listening
program. For more information about this
feature, speak with your Audiologist or Hearing
Care Provider.

24 Siemens Hearing Instruments

Audio Input

CENTRA S and CENTRA S VC hearing instruments
are equipped with audio input capability.
This enables you to connect your hearing
instruments to other audio sources such as an
FM system, tape recorder, television, or infrared
system using an audio shoe accessory. It can be
useful for adults in difficult listening situations
and for children inclassrooms. Because the
sound is coming directly from the sound source
to the hearing instrument, the signal is clearer
and unaffected by poor room acoustics.

Attaching and removing the audio shoe

Fig. 11: Attaching the audio shoe

4

21 3 5

CENTRA S, S VC, and Life BTEs 25

1. Using the fingernail of your thumb or index

finger, open the battery compartment door to
the first catch.

2. Using your fingernail, lift up the audio input

flap, exposing the gold contacts.

3. Close the battery compartment door.

4. Place the gold contacts of the audio shoe on

the gold contacts under the audio input flap
on the CENTRA BTE. Gently push the audio
shoe into place by pressing the audio shoe
toward the underside of the hearing
instrument until it snaps into place.

5. To remove the audio shoe, hold the BTE with

one hand and the audio shoe with the other
hand. Gently pull the audio shoe off, guiding it
from the underside towards the gold
contacts. Close the audio input flap.

Note: When controlling CENTRA BTE instruments with an

audio shoe attached to one or both hearing
instruments, the memory button on the ePocket or on
the instruments will not change programs. It can be
programmed to select the audio mode only (audio
input only, microphone only, or mixed mode). The
volume can be changed using the ePocket.

26 Siemens Hearing Instruments

Using the telephone

CENTRA S and CENTRA S VC hearing instruments
are equipped with a T-coil (telecoil) for telephone
use. It may be programmed to work in a specific
listening program in conjunction with the
memory button. In the T-coil mode, place the
telephone receiver close to your hearing
instrument for best reception. By trying
various positions of the telephone receiver, you
will discover what works best for you.

Your Audiologist or Hearing Care Provider can
advise you onthe proper use of the T-coil and all
hearing instrument settings.

Note:In order for the telecoil to function properly,

your telephone must be "hearing aid compatible."
Check your telephone’s instruction manual to find
out whether your phone has this capability.

If you are using an ePocket remote control, be sure
to change your listening program out of T-coil mode
before using the "Data Read Out" function. Using the
"Data Read Out" function while in T-coil mode will
cause a loud pulsing noise to be heard, due to
pickup of the transmission signal of the T-coil.

CENTRA S, S VC, and Life BTEs 27

Automatic telephone feature

The AutoPhone

®

option allows the telecoil in
CENTRA S and CENTRA S VC instruments to
automatically engage when a "hearing aid
compatible" telephone handset is brought close
tothe hearing instrument. To operate, bring
the telephone handset close to the hearing
instrument. The telecoil will automatically
engage to the presence of the electromagnetic
signal from the telephone. When you are
finished speaking on the phone, move the
handset away from the hearing instrument and
the microphone mode will reestablish itself.

28 Siemens Hearing Instruments

Cell Phone Compatibility

Some hearing instrument users have reported a
buzzing sound in their hearing instruments when
they are using cell phones, indicating that the
cell phone and hearing instruments may not be
compatible. According to the ANSI C63.19
standard (ANSI C63.19-2006 American National
Standard Methods of Measurement of
Compatibility Between Wireless Communications
Devices and Hearing Aids), the compatibility of a
particular hearing instrument and cell phone can
be predicted by adding the rating for the hearing
instrument immunity to the rating for the cell
phone emissions. For example, the sum of a
hearing instrument rating of 2 (M2/T2) and a
telephone rating of 3 (M3/T3) would result in a
combined rating of 5. Any combined rating that
equals at least 5 would provide “normal use”; a
combined rating of 6 or greater would indicate
“excellent performance.”

CENTRA S, S VC, and Life BTEs 29

The immunity of this hearing instrument is at
least M2/T2. The equipment performance
measurements, categories, and system
classifications are based upon the best
information available but cannot guarantee
that all users will be satisfied.

NOTE: The performance of individual hearing
instruments may vary with individual cell
phones. Therefore, please try this hearing
instrument with your cell phone or, if you are
purchasing a new phone, be sure to try it with
your hearing instrument prior to purchase. For
additional guidance, please ask your cell phone
provider for the booklet entitled "Hearing Aid
Compatibility with Digital Wireless Cell Phones."

30 Siemens Hearing Instruments

AutoPhone magnet accessory

There is an AutoPhone magnet accessory
available for your telephone that can be used
with the AutoPhone feature of your hearing
system. Ask your Audiologist or Hearing Care
Provider about this accessory and if it is
appropriate for your individual hearing care
needs.

Note: When magnets are properly cared for, they are safe to

use and can last a lifetime. However, the following
guidelines should be followed while using these
magnets. Magnets can pose risks to electronics and
magnetic storage media when placed in close
proximity. Be careful not to place magnets near
computers, color monitors, television sets, floppy
disks, video/audio tape, and other electronic
equipment. Magnets may interfere with the operation
of life support systems, such as pacemakers, magnetic
valves, etc. Make certain to maintain a distance of at
least four inches between the magnet and the area of
your support system. Keep magnets out of the reach
of children and pets. If accidentally swallowed, seek
medical attention.

CENTRA S, S VC, and Life BTEs 31

Identification Information

Your hearing instruments have a serial number
engraved on them. The location of the serial
number will vary according tothe style of hearing
instrument you have chosen.

The year of manufacture is incorporated into the
serial number. Please note the warranty is based
upon the date of purchase, not the date of
manufacture. The serial number may look similar
to this sample: AS12345. The second letter of
this serial number refers to the year of
manufacture of the hearing instrument. The
letters S or T indicate the year of manufacture of
your BTE as 2008. Your Audiologist or Hearing
Care Provider can answer any questions you may
have about the identifying code on your hearing
instrument.

Record the serial numbers of each instrument in
the space provided for future reference.

Serial numbers:

Left ear:____________________________________
Right ear: __________________________________

32 Siemens Hearing Instruments

Fig. 12: Identification information

Maintenance and care

Consult your Audiologist or Hearing Care
Provider about appropriate cleaning and
maintenance for your particular type of
earmolds or your LifeTube and LifeTip.

Always store your hearing instruments inside the
case. A soft carrying pouch is also included for
your convenience when traveling.

Never immerse your hearing
instruments in water!

If needed, your CENTRA BTEs can be wiped
with a tissue or other clean, dry cloth. Do not use
water, alcohol, benzene, or any other liquid
household cleaning agent to clean your
instruments, as it may damage them.

IC: 267AB-WL001

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two
conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept
any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance
could void the user's authority to operate the equipment

AS12345

+

-

Serial number

Your Audiologist or Hearing Care Provider:

Siemens Hearing Instruments, Inc.

P.O. Box 1397
Piscataway, NJ 08855-1397

www.usa.siemens.com/hearing

Information in this manual subject to change without notice.

Copyright © 2009 Siemens Hearing Instruments, Inc. All Rights Reserved

10149169 2/09 5.2 22C108 5K

SHI/10029-9