Hearing Direct.com HD85 Operating Instructions Manual

Title

Operating instructions

HD85

Before use, please read these instructions to help you

get the best out of your HearingDirect.com hearing aid

V1.0 June 2011

2

Introduction

Thank you for selecting a Hearing Direct hearing system. We are
proud of our hearing products and are confident you have chosen
one of the best products available. Please familiarise yourself with
the information in this guide. It contains important instructions for
proper use and care, technical performance information, and other
general information about your hearing system.

Microphone & filter

Battery door and
On/Off switch

Sound outlet and
wax guard’

Extraction cord

3

Becoming
accustomed to
amplification

While purchasing a hearing system is a major step, it is only one
step in a process towards more comfortable hearing. Successfully
adapting to the amplification your hearing system provides takes
time and consistent use.

You will enjoy more benefits from your Hearing Direct HD85 hearing
system by taking the following actions:

It may take as long as several months for your brain to get used to
all the “new” sounds around you. Following these suggestions will
give your brain time to learn how to interpret amplification and
increase the benefits you get from using a Hearing Direct HD85
hearing system.

Wear the system regularly in order to get comfortable with
using it.
Begin by wearing your system for short periods of time in quiet
environments.
As you get more comfortable with the system, increase the
wearing time and wear your hearing system in multiple types
of listening environments.

Contents

On/Off function Page 5

Correct placement in the ear Page 6-7

Using the telephone Page 8

Removing the battery Page 9

Inserting the battery Page 10

Battery safety Page 11

Maintenance and cleaning Page 12-13

General advice Page 14-16

Troubleshooting Page 17-18

General precautions Page 19

4

On/Off function

The door to the battery compartment serves as the On/Off
switch for your hearing instrument. When the door is fully
closed, the instrument is on. To turn the instrument off, place your
fingernail under the nail grip and pull gently to open it completely.

Tip: To reduce battery consumption, turn the instrument off when it
is not in use.

Switch off the instrument.

5

Correct
placement in
the ear

6

Inserting the HD85 instrument:

Gently pull the bottom of your ear down with your thumb and
finger.

While pulling the ear down, carefully insert the earpiece, canal
tip first, rotating the earpiece slightly until a comfortable seal
in the ear is achieved.

Do not attempt to force the earpiece too far into the ear canal.

Correct
placement in
the ear

7

Note: If your hearing instrument irritates your ear in any way and
prevents you from wearing your hearing instrument, please contact
us. Never attempt to modify the shape of your hearing instrument
yourself.

To remove the hearing instrument from your ear, simply hold the
extraction cord with your thumb and forefinger and gently pull out.

Using the
telephone while
wearing your
HD85

Close proximity to a telephone can sometimes cause hearing
instruments to make a squealing sound, also known as feedback.
To reduce the potential for this problem, your system is equipped
with feedback suppression, which greatly reduces the chance of
feedback.

Further measures to avoid feedback include positioning the phone
close to the hearing instrument, but not directly on the instrument.
If there is feedback, it may take a few seconds for the instrument’s
signal processing to adapt. This technique may require practice.

8

Removing the
battery

Open the battery compartment completely with your fingernail
under the nail grip and pull gently to open it completely. Remove
the used battery from the battery compartment.

Tip: Hold the instrument over a table or a soft surface in case the
battery falls out.

Your HD85 takes a size 10A battery.

9

Inserting the
battery

Remove the film from a new battery and place the new battery into
the battery compartment, matching the plus (+) sign on flat side of
the battery to the plus sign in the battery compartment. A
magnifying glass and good lighting may be helpful in seeing these
small markings. Close the battery compartment tightly but do not
use force - it should close very easily. Your hearing system should
now be on.

Tip: Removing the battery when the instrument is not being worn
will help prevent corrosion of the battery contacts. Corrosion can
decrease efficiency, causing excessive battery consumption.

10

Battery safety

11

To prevent batteries from leaking or exploding:

Dispose of used batteries properly.

Keep batteries out of reach of children or people with
diminished mental capacity.

Keep batteries away from pets.

Do not place batteries in your mouth. If a battery has been
swallowed, consult a GP immediately.

Do not expose batteries to temperature extremes.

Do not dispose of batteries in fire.

Do not attempt to recharge batteries which are not specifically
designated rechargeable, or reverse a battery’s polarity.

Maintenance and
cleaning

Earwax (cerumen) can accumulate in and on the sound outlet
during use. Therefore, clean the sound outlet regularly. Failure to do
so can lead to an accumulation of earwax, impairing sound quality.

Keep your hearing instrument clean and dry. Wipe the case with a
soft cloth or tissue after use to remove grease or moisture. You
should avoid exposing your instrument directly to moisture such as
rain or water from the shower. If your instrument does get wet or if
it has been exposed to high humidity or perspiration, it should be
left to dry out overnight with the battery out and the battery
compartment open.

Alternatively, you could store the instrument in a dry aid kit
available from www.hearingdirect.com

When you are not using your instrument, keep or transport it in the
box supplied. Leave the battery door open. Keep your instrument
in a dry place, not in a bathroom or other humid place.

12

Maintenance and
cleaning

Cleaning the sound outlet
When the sound outlet/wax guard becomes blocked with wax, use a
dry cloth or the brush provided to clean the wax away.

13

General advice

Things that can damage your HD85
Keep in mind that some of your day-to-day routines require that you
remove your hearing system.

Moisture
Avoid getting moisture in the hearing system. It should not be worn
in the shower, bath, or sauna. Do not submerge the instrument in
water or other liquids. If perspiration or humidity is an issue, you
may find it beneficial to use a drying kit specially designed for
hearing systems.

Temperature extremes
Do not expose your hearing system to extremes of heat.
Some typical situations to avoid:

14

Do not wear your hearing system when using a hair dryer.
Do not leave your hearing system in your car or in direct
sunlight.
Do not attempt to dry your hearing system in any device other
than an approved drying kit.

General advice

Rough treatment
Protect your hearing system from rough treatment by storing it in
the provided carrying case when it is not in use.

Corrosive substances

15

Non-Approved Cleaning Solutions - If you use cleaning
products, only use those recommended by your hearing
healthcare professional, as housing can be damaged by certain
cleaning agents such as mineral acids, hydrocarbons (benzol),
esters, alcohols and ketones.

Debris from Daily Hygiene Routines - It is suggested you not
wear your hearing system while applying the following:
hairspray, cosmetics, colognes, perfumes,
sunscreens, insect repellent, etc.

16

General advice

General warnings
Hearing instruments can be dangerous if improperly used.

Do not allow others to use your instrument. It may cause
permanent damage.

Do not take your instrument into rooms where you receive
treatment with X-rays or MRI.

Wearing an instrument might cause an increased production of
earwax. In rare cases, the anti-allergenic materials may cause
skin irritation. If so, or if in doubt, consult your GP or ENT
consultant.

Repairs

If your Hearing Direct HD85 malfunctions, it must be repaired by a
qualified technician. Do not attempt to open the case of the hearing
instrument since this would invalidate the warranty.

Trouble
shooting

Your Hearing Direct HD85 instrument is a reliable one. In case of
minor problems or malfunctions, you may be able to solve them
yourself.

17

Symptom

Feedback
‘whistling’

Are you holding your hand or an object (e.g. a
hat) too close to the instrument?

Is your ear full of wax?

No sound

Is the instrument switched on?
Is there a battery in the instrument?
Is the battery still good?
Is the sound outlet blocked?
Is your ear full of wax?

Cause Possible Remedy

Switch it on
Insert a battery
Replace it with a new one
Clean the sound outlet
Visit your GP

Move your hand away or create
some more space between
the instrument and the object
Visit your GP

Trouble
shooting

Your Hearing Direct HD85 instrument is a reliable one. In case of
minor problems or malfunctions, you may be able to solve them
yourself.

18

Symptom

Sound is distorted,
spluttering or weak

Is the battery dead?
Is the battery dirty?
Did your instrument get moist?

Battery drains
very quickly

Did you leave your hearing instrument
switched on at night?
Is the battery old?

Cause Possible Remedy

Always switch off the instrument at
night
Check the date on the battery
packaging

Replace it with a new one
Clean it or use a new one
Use a desiccator

General
precautions

19

Consult a GP if you find a foreign object in your ear canal, if
you experience skin irritation or if excessive ear wax
accumulates with the use of the instrument.

Different types of radiation, e.g. from NMR or CT scanners, may
damage the instrument. Therefore, do not wear the instrument
during these or other corresponding scanning procedures.
Other types of radiation (burglary alarms, room surveillance
systems, radio equipment, mobile telephones, etc) will not
damage the instrument. They could, however, momentarily
affect the sound quality or create strange sounds from the
instruments.

Warning: Do not wear the instrument in mined or other
explosive areas, unless those areas are certified for hearing
instrument use.

Keep the instrument away from children under the age of 3 as
it contains small parts which may present a choking hazard.

Supplied by:
Hearing Direct Ltd
The Estate Office
Stockbridge Road
Sutton Scotney
Hants
SO21 3JW

Puretone Ltd. ME2 4FR