Microtech Radius CIC Operation Manual

CIC

COMPLETELY-IN-THE-CANAL

OPERATIONS MANUAL

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Congratulations!

Your new Radius hearing system uses advanced
digital features to provide improved sound quality,
speech understanding and listening comfort.

Micro-Tech® was founded in 1986 on the philosophy
that superior sound quality can be achieved
while providing patients the small, stylish hearing
instruments they desire.

Today, Micro-Tech has earned a reputation as an
industry leader in hearing instrument technology
and the treatment of hearing loss.

Micro-Tech focuses on connecting people with
people. This philosophy is at the center of
everything we do. Our ultimate goal is to provide
you the best listening experience possible.

Please read this manual carefully to take full
advantage of all features on your new hearing
system. If you have any questions, please contact
your hearing care professional.

Congratulations!

You’ve just taken the
first step on your
journey toward better
hearing. Use this
manual as a guide
to the use and care
of your new hearing
instruments. If you have
questions, your hearing
professional is trained and willing to help.

Your new hearing instruments are customized to your
hearing loss and lifestyle. Your hearing professional
can make changes to the instruments to match your
needs. He or she will make note of these changes in
boxes like the one shown below.

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You have Completely-In-The-Canal (CIC) hearing
instruments. Your hearing instruments were made
for you, to treat your hearing loss. Your hearing
professional will check which features your hearing
instruments have.

Your hearing instruments may contain a different
combination of features and controls, depending on
the specific options selected for you.

ABOUT YOUR HEARING INSTRUMENTS

Your hearing instrument features are:

Multimemory settings

Automatic telephone response

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FEATURES AND CONTROLS

RECEIVER OPENING

MULTIMEMORY BUTTON
(OPTIONAL)

MICROPHONE SOUND INLET

BATTERY COMPARTMENT

REMOVAL LINE

VENT (OPTIONAL)

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Each instrument can be identified by its serial
number, located on the outside shell.

Serial Number and Identification

Your hearing instruments are identified by the color
marking of the serial number or the shell color. RED is
for RIGHT, while BLUE is for LEFT.

IDENTIFICATION

00-000000

SERIAL NUMBER

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Battery Size

CICs use a size 10A battery. Battery sizes can be
identified by a color code on the packaging. Size 10A
batteries have a yellow mark on the package.

It is very important to use the correct size and type
battery for your hearing instrument.

Because of their size, it’s a
good idea to change and
replace batteries at a table
or desk to reduce the risk
of dropping the instrument
or battery.

To insert or replace
the battery, open the
compartment by placing
your fingernail under the
edge of the swing-out door
and gently pulling outward.

Do not open the battery
door too far or damage is
likely to occur.

BATTERIES

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Changing Batteries

Remove the old battery by
pushing it out the top of the
fully opened door.

DO NOT pull it out the side
of the door.

Place the new battery in the
compartment with the plus
(+) sign facing up.

Close the battery
compartment by swinging
the door until it snaps shut.

NEVER FORCE THE DOOR
SHUT. This could result in

serious damage. If the door
will not close easily, check that the battery is placed
properly in the compartment and is not upside down.

BATTERIES

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Low Battery Indicator

Your hearing professional will check the box below
if the low battery indicator for your instruments is
turned on.

When the low battery indicator is turned on, your
hearing instruments will beep four times going from
a high-to-low pitch when the battery’s voltage is low.
Replace the battery when you hear these tones.

When the battery is too weak to power the hearing
instrument, you will hear a tone for two seconds and
the instrument will shut down. Replace the battery
when this happens.

BATTERIES

The low battery indicator is turned on.

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Battery Caution

Because batteries can vary in size and performance,
your hearing professional is your best source for
lifespan estimates and verification that you are using
the proper size and type.

To help prevent the accidental ingestion of batteries,
keep them out of the reach of children and pets.

Always check your medication before ingesting –
batteries have been mistaken for pills.

Never put batteries in your mouth for any reason, as
they can easily be unintentionally swallowed.

Dispose of used batteries immediately, using
the proper waste or recycling receptacle.

BATTERIES

m WARNING:

HEARING INSTRUMENT BATTERIES ARE

DANGEROUS IF SWALLOWED.

National Button Battery

Ingestion Hotline [phone]

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Before placing your instruments into your ears, make
certain the batteries are inserted properly and the
battery doors are closed securely.

To insert the hearing
instrument, hold it with
the insertion/removal line
between your thumb and
forefinger. The microphone
opening should be at the top
of the instrument.

Guide the instrument into
your ear canal until you
feel resistance.

Let go of the insertion/
removal line. Gently push
the instrument in until it is
resting comfortably inside
your canal.

To ease insertion, you may
wish to pull down on your
earlobe with your other hand
as you push.

INSERTION AND REMOVAL

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To remove your hearing
instrument, slowly and gently
pull the insertion/removal
line outward.

INSERTION AND REMOVAL

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Your hearing instrument is
“on” any time a functioning
battery is properly placed in
the compartment and the
battery door is closed.

Some hearing instruments
are programmed to have a
power on delay. Your hearing professional will
check the box below if your hearing instruments
have this feature.

The power on delay means that your hearing
instruments will take several seconds to turn on once
the battery door has been closed. This feature allows
you to get the hearing instruments in your ear before
they start to amplify sound.

ON, OFF AND VOLUME LEVEL

Your hearing instruments have a power

on delay.

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To turn the instrument
“off,” open the battery
compartment door so the
battery is no longer in
contact with the internal
components. This is
recommended to preserve
battery life any time your
instrument is not in use.

Your hearing instruments have been set to a specific
volume level by your hearing professional. There is
no volume control on the instrument. If sounds are
generally too loud or too soft, contact your hearing
professional for advice and adjustment.

ON, OFF AND VOLUME LEVEL

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Multimemory Settings

Your hearing professional will place a check in
the box below if your hearing instruments have a
multimemory push button.

While your hearing instruments make many
adjustments automatically, the multimemory push
button lets you select a different memory setting
for your current listening environment; for example,
when you are using the telephone or sitting in a
noisy restaurant.

When first turned on, your
instruments are most likely
programmed for normal
listening environments.
Additional settings are
accessed by pressing
the button on the
hearing instrument.

OPTIONAL FEATURES

Your hearing instruments have a multimemory

push button.

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When changing the settings, there may be an audible
beep or indicator to let you know where the memory
is located. For example, the hearing instrument will
beep twice for memory 2. Your hearing professional
will work with you to set the memories to your
preference. With your hearing professional, use the
table below to write in the memory settings for
your instruments.

MEMORY

NO.

ENVIRONMENT/

LISTENING SITUATION

BEEP/

INDICATOR

1

2

3

4

OPTIONAL FEATURES

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Special Instructions:

OPTIONAL FEATURES

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Your hearing instruments are equipped with tools
to help you effectively communicate on the
telephone. Your hearing professional will check the
box/boxes that represent the telephone settings in
your instruments.

Automatic Telephone Response

This option activates the telephone response
automatically when used with a hearing aid
compatible telephone. To use, place the telephone
receiver on your ear as you normally would and the
hearing instrument will select the telephone setting.
It might be necessary to move the telephone

USING THE TELEPHONE

Your hearing instruments have the following
telephone setting(s):

Automatic telephone response

A beep or indicator tone is enabled on your

instruments to signal you when the device
switches to the telephone setting

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receiver slightly to find the best reception.
Once the telephone is removed from the ear, the
hearing instrument will switch back to the normal
listening mode.

Note: If you have a hearing aid compatible phone,

but your Automatic Telephone Response does not
switch to the telephone setting automatically, your
hearing professional can provide you with a small
magnet to place on your telephone receiver. This
magnet will help activate your automatic
telephone option.

General Telephone Use

Some hearing instruments
work best by holding the
phone close to, but not fully
covering your ear. In some
instances, if you encounter
whistling (feedback), tilt the
receiver at an angle until the
whistling stops. Your hearing
professional can give instructions and techniques for
your specific needs.

USING THE TELEPHONE

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Special Instructions:

USING THE TELEPHONE

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Feedback is caused by amplified sounds escaping
from the ear canal that make their way back to the
instrument’s microphone. Your new instruments use
the most advanced digital technology available with
a unique feedback suppression program. If feedback
occurs after the instrument has been inserted
correctly and the volume set to a comfortable level,
contact your hearing professional.

FEEDBACK

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Your hearing instruments represent the ultimate
in miniature technology, especially when you
consider the environment in which they function.
Heat, moisture, and foreign substances can result in
degraded performance.

Proper care and maintenance go a long way toward
ensuring trouble-free performance. Do your best
to keep the hearing instruments clean at all times.
Handling the hearing instruments with clean hands is
a good starting point. In addition:

Clean the Hearing Instruments Daily

• It is a good idea to
perform all cleaning and
battery changes above
a soft cloth on a desk
or table; this will keep
the instrument from a
damaging fall to a hard
surface if dropped

HANDLING AND CARE

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• Use the cleaning brush/
waxloop and/or a soft, dry
cloth to remove earwax
or other particles that
may accumulate around
the canal and battery
compartment; never use
water, solvents, cleaning
fluids or oil to clean your instruments

• Be careful not to insert the cleaning tools into
the inside of the hearing aid and never take your
hearing instruments apart

• If your hearing aid has a waxguard, consult the
instructions that come with it and talk to your
hearing professional

• Do not wear your
hearing instruments while
using hair spray, spray
paint, or any other sticky
sprays that can clog
the microphone

HANDLING AND CARE

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Store Your Hearing Instruments in a Dry, Safe
Place Away from Direct Sunlight or Heat to Avoid
Extreme Temperatures

• When not wearing your hearing instruments, turn
them off and open the battery compartment door

• Store your instruments
where you can easily find
them, but safely out of
reach of pets and children;
hearing instruments
can attract curious pets
resulting in possible
damage or being chewed
beyond repair

HANDLING AND CARE

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Keep Your Hearing Instruments Away From Moisture

• Your instruments may be
so comfortable that you
forget you are wearing
them; develop the habit
of checking your ears
before going swimming
or taking a shower; do
the same with clothing
pockets before they
are washed

• Should your hearing
instruments get wet,
dispose of the battery
and set the instrument on
a towel in a safe place,
leaving the battery compartment door open to
promote air drying overnight

• Never try to dry out hearing instruments by
putting them in a microwave or oven, or by using a
blow dryer

HANDLING AND CARE

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When to Call Your Hearing Professional

• Severe reactions, discharge from the ear,
excessive wax, or other unusual conditions warrant
immediate medical attention

• Pain or soreness in or around the ear is normally
caused by pressure from the earmold on a
particularly sensitive area, and may easily be
corrected through trimming and polishing by your
hearing professional

• If for any reason an instrument fails, do not
attempt to fix it yourself; this will likely violate any
applicable warranties. Should your instruments
fail or perform unsatisfactorily, first check the
troubleshooting guide on page 25; if problems
persist, contact your hearing professional

HANDLING AND CARE

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SYMPTOM POSSIBLE

CAUSES

SOLUTIONS

Not Working

Low battery Replace battery

Blocked
receiver
opening

Clean the
devices
(see page 20)

Not Loud
Enough

Blocked
receiver
opening

Clean the
devices
(see page 20)

When was your
hearing last
checked?

Contact
your hearing
professional

Intermittent

Moisture Follow

instructions on
page 22

Defective
device

Contact
your hearing
professional

Automatic
Telephone
Response
Not
Switching

Telephone
does not
have a strong
enough signal
to activate the
switching

See your
hearing
professional
for magnet

TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE

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Helpful Reminders for You

How quickly you adjust to your hearing instruments
depends on how often you wear them. However,
don’t assume that you will hear and understand all
speech with your hearing instruments. When you first
start, you will notice an increase in the noise levels
around you. This noise has probably always been
there, but with your hearing loss, you might not have
noticed this background noise. Remember that it may
take awhile to get used to hearing sounds louder
than before. As with anything new, it will take time
and patience as you adapt to this new way
of hearing.

Hearing is only part of how we exchange thoughts,
ideas and feelings. Reading lips, facial expressions
and gestures can enhance the learning process and
supplement what amplification alone may miss. It
is important to keep in mind that the best way to
communicate is by:

COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES

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• Looking at the
person who is
speaking and sitting
face-to-face in a
quiet room

• Minimizing
distractions; for
example, doing
dishes at the sink
and trying to
have a conversation
is difficult even
for those with
normal hearing

• Moving closer to
the speaker and
within sight

• Trying different
locations in a
room that has
poor acoustics

COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES

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• Letting others know what you need; remember
that most people don’t know you and cannot
“see” your hearing problem

• Remembering you might have a memory setting
for a specific situation

Helpful Reminders for Your Friends and Family

Many people initially treat hearing problems as an
individual matter, something that can be dealt with
by themselves. Remember that communication
involves more than just one person. The continued
understanding and support of family and friends are
crucial as you pursue improved hearing. Your friends
and family can help by:

• Being sure they
have your full
attention before
beginning to speak

• Looking at you or
sitting face-to-face in
a quiet room

COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES

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• Speaking clearly and at a normal rate; shouting
or talking directly into the ear can actually make
understanding more difficult

• Rephrasing rather than repeating the same words
over, as you may find it easier to understand
different words

• Minimizing
distractions by not
speaking with a full
mouth, covering
their mouth, or with
distractions such as
a television or radio

COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES

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NOTES

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NOTES

FDA INFORMATION

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Required Information

The following additional information is provided in compliance with U.S.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations:

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:

i. Visible congenital or traumatic deformity of the ear.
ii. History of active drainage from the ear within the previous 90 days.
iii. History of sudden or rapidly progressive hearing loss within the

previous 90 days.
iv. Acute or chronic dizziness.
v. Unilateral hearing loss of sudden or recent onset within the previous

90 days.
vi. Audiometric air-bone gap equal to or greater than 15 decibels at

500 Hertz (Hz), 1,000 Hz and 2,000 Hz.
vii. Visible evidence of significant cerumen accumulation or a foreign

body in the ear canal.
viii. Pain or discomfort in the ear.

RF IMMUNITY LEVEL. This hearing aid has a cell phone immunity rating

of M3. A hearing aid compatible cell phone must carry a rating of M2
or higher to work with this hearing aid. Please consult your cell phone
specification for the cell phone immunity rating.

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, otologists, or otorhynolaryngologists.
The purpose of the 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 states 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 hearing aid dispenser, as
appropriate, for a hearing aid evaluation.

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FDA INFORMATION

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.

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.

A hearing aid will not restore normal hearing and will not prevent or
improve a hearing impairment resulting from organic conditions. In most
cases infrequent use of a hearing aid does not permit a user to attain full
benefit from it.

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.

MicroTech Hearing Instruments
6425 Flying Cloud Drive
Eden Prairie, MN 55344

www.mthearing.com

© 2010 MicroTech Hearing Instruments All Rights Reserved
79457-004 6/10 BKLT9457-04-EE-MT Rev. E

6425 Flying Cloud Drive
Eden Prairie, MN 55344

800.745.4327
www.mthearing.com