oticon BTE, BTE P, BTE P Omni Instruction Manual

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE

BTE, BTE P, BTE P Omni

Congratulations on your digital hearing instruments.
Carefully follow these instructions when using and
maintaining them. These instructions will help you
get the most out of the instruments and ensure their
continued high performance.

Important notice

Please familiarise yourself with the entire

contents of this booklet before using your
hearing instruments. It contains instructions
and important information about the use and
handling of your hearing instruments and
batteries.

Contents

Instrument view – BTE 5
Instrument view – BTE with thin sound tube 7

Instrument view – BTE P Omni 9

On/Off 11
Putting on your hearing instruments 13
Inserting hearing instruments with thin sound tube 15
Warnings for hearing instruments with

thin sound tube 17
Push-button 19
Telecoil 21

Options

Optional Volume Control 23
Changing batteries 25
DAI (Direct Audio Input) 27
FM 28
Daily care of your hearing instruments 29
Using your hearing instruments 32
Common problems and their solutions 37
International Warranty 39
Service 39
Warnings Yellow pages

BTE

Microphone
openings

Volume
control
(Optional)

Push-button

Battery size: 13

Sound hook

Plastic tube

Sound outlet

Ventilation
opening

Earmould

Battery
drawer

5

BTE with thin sound tube

Microphone
openings

Volume
control
(Optional)

Push-button

Battery size: 13

Thin sound tube

Ear grip

Dome

Battery
drawer

7

BTE P Omni

Sound hook

Microphone
opening

Volume
control

Push-button

Battery size: 13

Plastic tube

Sound outlet

Ventilation
opening

Earmould

Battery
drawer

9

Turning your instruments
ON and OFF

Turn on your hearing instru ment by closing the
battery drawer completely.

When the battery drawer is closed
you will hear three beeps fol­lowed by a short series of beeps.
This indicates that the battery is
working.

Turn off your hearing instrument
by opening the battery drawer
slightly until a click is felt.

If you have dexterity problems
an alternative way of turning
off the hearing instrument is to
place the base of the hearing
instrument on a flat surface,
gently press and drag the
instrument as illustrated below.
The battery drawer will slightly
open (turning off the hearing
instrument).

On

Off

To preserve the battery, make sure your hearing
instrument is switched off when you are not wearing it.

11

Standby

A long push on the button (min. 3 seconds) will set
the instrument in standby mode. To reactivate the
instrument, push the button again.

Use the standby function if you need to silence the
instrument while you have the instrument on.

Putting on your hearing instruments

• Hold the earmould as

shown.

• Gently pull down your

earlobe and press the
earmould in the direction
of the ear canal.

• Place the tip of the

earmould in your ear canal,
twisting slightly, making
sure that the top part of
the earmould (A) is pushed
behind and under the fold
(B) of your ear.

• With the earmould

positioned correctly in
your ear, place the hearing
instrument behind your ear
by lifting its lower part and
sliding it over the top of
your ear.

B

A

12

13

Inserting hearing instruments with a
thin sound tube

Inserting your hearing instrument
with a thin tube correctly every
time, takes practice.

A. Place the hearing instrument

behind your ear.

B. Hold the bend of the tube

between your thumb and index
finger. The dome should be
pointing towards the ear canal
opening. Gently push the dome
into your ear canal until the
sound tube sits close against
the side of your head.

C. Position the ear grip into the

indentation above your ear lobe
using your index finger.

Look in a mirror. If the sound tube
is sticking out from your ear, the
dome has not been placed correctly
in the ear canal. If the ear grip is
visibly sticking out from your ear it
has not been positioned correctly.
To remove the instrument pull the
bend of the tube.

15

Cleaning your hearing instrument
with thin tube

To remove cerumen from the
thin tube:

• Click the tube off the instrument.

• Insert the cleaning tool in the tube
all the way through.

• Remove the tool and click on the
tube to the hearing instrument.

Warnings

• Only use parts designed for Oticon hearing
instruments

• The cleaning tools should only be used for clean­ing the tubing when it is detached from the hearing
instrument and not on the ear.

• The dome must be properly attached to the sound
tube before inserting it in your ear. Failure to follow
the instructions could result in injury.

• If the dome is not correctly attached and falls off in
the ear: Please see your Hearing Care Professional or
seek medical consultation.

• The tube should never be used without a dome
attached.

• Do not use hearing aids in ears with excessive
ear wax accumulation or infection.

• Proper preventive care and maintenance will go
a long way toward ensuring reliability and safe
performance. Clean your sound tube on a regulary
basis.

16

• Do not share your hearing aids or any of the parts
with others.

• Ensure your hands are clean when handling the
hearing instrument and its parts.

17

Push-button

Your hearing instruments have a push-button for
switching between different programs.

• When you switch between different programs, your
hearing instruments will beep.

• Push shortly on the button to activate the program
switch. The number of beeps will indicate which
program you are using.

19

Your hearing instrument can have up to three
programs.

One beep, when you switch to program 1

e

Two beeps, when you switch to program 2

ee

Three beeps, when you switch to program 3

eee

Telecoil

The telecoil is meant for telephone conversations
and for loop systems in e.g. theatres, churches
or lecture rooms. The telephone needs to have a
tele-loop.

The telecoil is activated by the push-button. When
activated you will hear a certain number of beeps.

Below you can see a description of the programs
available in your hearing instrument.

Program 1

Program 2

Program 3

20

See the previous page to find out where the telecoil
program is placed.

21

Warnings

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

You should familiarize yourself fully with the
following general warnings and the entire contents of
this booklet before using your hearing instruments.

Hearing instruments and batteries can be dangerous
if swallowed

• Hearing instruments, their parts, and batteries are
not toys and should be kept out of reach of children
and anyone who might swallow these items or
otherwise cause injury to themselves.

• Never change the battery or adjust the controls of
the hearing instruments in front of infants, small
children or people with learning difficulties.

• Discard batteries carefully in a place where infants,
small children or people with learning difficulties
cannot reach them.

• Batteries have occasionally been mistaken for pills.
Therefore check carefully your medicine before
swallowing any pills.

• Never put your hearing instruments or batteries in
your mouth for any reason, as they are slippery and
could be swallowed by accident.

• Most Oticon hearing instruments can be supplied
with a tamper-resistant battery compartment upon
request. This is strongly recommended for infants,
small children, and people with learning difficulties.

If a battery or hearing instrument is swallowed,
see a doctor immediately.

Misuse can result in sudden and permanent
hearing loss

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

• Never allow others to wear your hearing
instruments as incorrect/wrongful usage could
cause permanent damage to their hearing

Battery use

• Always use batteries recommended by your hearing
care professional. Batteries of low quality may leak
and cause bodily harm.

• Never attempt to recharge your batteries. They may
explode and cause serious injury.

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

Dysfunction in hearing instruments

• Hearing instruments may stop functioning, for
instance if the batteries have expired or if the tubing
is blocked by moisture or earwax. You should be
aware of this possibility, in particular when you are
in traffic or otherwise dependent on warning
sounds.

Interference

• Your hearing instrument has been thoroughly tested
for interference, according to the most stringent
international standards. But new technical
developments constantly bring new products into
society, and some may emit electromagnetic
radiation, leading to unforeseen interference in
hearing instruments. Examples include induction
cooking appliances, shop alarm systems, mobile
telephones, fax machines, personal computer
devices, X-rays, Computer tomography etc.

Possible side effects

• Hearing instruments may cause an accelerated
accumulation of cerumen (ear wax).

• The otherwise non-allergenic materials used in
hearing instruments may in rare cases cause a skin
irritation.

Consult a doctor if you experience any of these side
effects.

Safety requirements regarding
Direct Audio Input (DAI)

• The safety of hearing instruments with DAI
(Direct Audio Input) is determined by the external
signal source. When the DAI is connected to mains­operated equipment, this equipment must comply
with IEC-60065, IEC-60601 or equivalent safety
standards.

Warning to hearing instrument dispenser and user

• Special care should be excercised in selecting,
fitting and using a hearing instrument where
maximum sound pressure capability exceeds
132 dB SPL (IEC 711) as there may be risk of
impairing the remaining hearing of the hearing
instrument user.

Optional – Volume Control

The Volume Control allows you to adjust the volume
in specific listening situations to the level you feel
comfortable with.

• Use your fingertip to turn the control.

• Rotating the control upwards gives more volume.

• Rotating the control downwards gives less volume.

• The preferred volume control level is indicated
with a beep. This level has been programmed
according to your preferences. Consult your Hearing
Care Professional if you find this level too loud or
too weak in most situations.

Note!

If you find that you have to
adjust the volume too often,
your setting may need to be
adjusted by your Hearing Care
Professional.

23

Volume control

Changing batteries

A worn-out battery should be removed immediately.
When battery power is low, you will hear a series of
short beeps. This indicates that it is time to change
the battery. It is not an indication of malfunction. To
replace the battery, follow these instructions:

• Open the battery drawer by pushing back the raised
edge and remove the old battery. To remove the old
battery, gently push with a pen.

• Remove the sticky label from the + side of the new
battery

• Insert the new battery (size 13) so that its + sign
faces the + sign printed on the inside of the battery
drawer.

Any moisture on the battery surface should be wiped
off before use. When you change batteries, it may take
a couple of minutes before the new battery works with
full effect.

To remove the
battery – gently
push with a pen

25

Disposal:

• Check with your Hearing Care Professional about
arrangements for battery disposal. There may be
a system for disposing of them.

• Never try to charge non-rechargeable batteries.

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

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

Tamper-resistant battery drawer (optional)

This is strongly recommended for infants, small
children, and people with learning difficulties.

Instructions: To open the
battery compartment, simply
insert the end of a ballpoint
pen or similar into the small
recess and apply pressure in
the direction of the arrow.

Off

DAI (Direct Audio Input)

If your hearing instrument is connected by means of
a DAI shoe with an external sound source, like a
walkman, discman or hand mic, the signals of these
devices will be directly transferred to your hearing
instrument.

It is necessary to remove the DAI shoe first before you
are able to turn your hearing instrument off.

Mounting of DAI

Start by clicking the DAI shoe onto the instrument.
Then insert the DAI cord into the shoe.

When the DAI shoe is
connected, the instrument will
automatically switch to a com­bination of a DAI program and
the microphone. If you would
like the DAI program alone,
you can switch to the next
program by using the push
button.

Important: Do not force the battery drawer beyond
its fully open position. Insert the battery correctly.
Excessive strain can deform the battery drawer, which
will reduce its tamper resistant effectiveness.

26

DAI-shoe

27

The two new programs will automatically place
themselves after the standard programs, which your
Hearing Care Professional has stored in your hearing
instrument.

Program DAI + Microphone
Program DAI

To release the shoe from the hearing instrument, click
the grey button and pull back.

Safety requirements regarding
Direct Audio Input (DAI)

The safety of hearing instruments with DAI (Direct
Audio Input) is determined by the external signal
source. When the DAI is connected to mains operated
equipment, this equipment must comply with IEC­60065, IEC-60601 or equivalent safetystandards.

Mounting of FM

To use an FM receiver start by clicking the FM shoe
onto the instrument. Then attach the FM receiver to
the base of the FM shoe via the connector. When
the FM receiver is connected, the instrument will
automatically switch to a program that receives sig­nals from the microphone in combination with an
external wireless FM transmitter. If you would like to
receive input from the FM transmitter alone, you can
switch to the next program by using the push-button.

The two new programs will automatically place
themselves after the standard programs, which
your Hearing Care Professional has given you.

Program FM + Microphone
Program FM

FM

An FM receiver enables the hearing instrument to
receive signals directly from an external wireless FM
transmitter.

28

To release the shoe from the
hearing instrument, click the
grey button and pull back.

29

Daily care of your hearing
instruments

When handling a hearing instrument, keep it over a
soft surface to avoid damage if you drop it.

Before retiring at night:

• Make sure that there is no ear wax in any of the
earmould openings since it may reduce the hearing
instruments’ efficiency.

• Rinse with water.

• Dry the earmould.

• Any water drops inside
the earmould or tubing
should be blown out. A
special device for this
purpose (an earmould blower) is
available from your Hearing Care Professional.

• Open the battery compartments to allow air to
circulate.

Cleaning your earmoulds

The earmoulds should be washed regularly:

• Disconnect the earmould and tubing
from the hearing instrument.

• Wash the earmould in lukewarm
water using a mild soap. Do
not use strong detergents.

The hearing instruments
themselves must never be
washed!

30

• Make sure the earmould and tubing are completely
dry before they are reconnected to the hearing
instruments as shown in the drawing.

Left Right

Replacing the tubing

The tubing in the earmould
should be replaced when
it becomes yellow or stiff.
Consult your Hearing Care
Professional about this.

31

Avoiding heat, humidity and chemicals

Your hearing instruments must never be exposed to
extreme heat e.g. left inside a parked car in the sun
or dried in microwave ovens. They must never be
exposed to a lot of moisture e.g. steam baths, showers
or heavy rain.

If your hearing instruments have been exposed to
moisture or very humid conditions it may affect their
performance. Using an anti-humidity kit can help to
avoid these problems and may even extend the life of
your hearing instruments. Consult your Hearing Care
Professional for further advice. Wipe the batteries
carefully if moisture is present.

The chemicals in cosmetics, hairspray, perfume, after­shave-lotion, suntan lotion and insect repellent can
damage your hearing instruments. You should always
remove your hearing instruments before applying such
products and allow time for the product to dry before
reinserting your hearing instruments. If you use lotion,
be sure to wipe your hands dry before putting your
hearing instruments on.

Using your hearing instruments

It takes time to adjust to a new hearing instrument.
How long this adjustment takes differs from person to
person. It will depend on a number of factors, such as
whether you have had hearing instruments before and
the degree of your hearing loss.

Seven easy steps to better hearing

1. In the quiet of your home

Try to accustom yourself to all the new sounds. Listen
to the many background sounds and try to identify
each sound. Bear in mind that some sounds will
seem different from what you are used to. You may
have to learn to identify them again. Note that in
time you will get accustomed to the sounds in your
environment – if not please contact your Hearing
Care Professional.

If using the hearing instruments makes you tired,
take them off for a little while and have a rest.
Gradually, you will begin to be able to listen for longer
periods of time. Soon, you will be able to wear your
hearing instruments comfortably all day long.

32

33

2. Conversation with another person

Sit with someone else in a quiet room. Face each
other so you can read facial expressions easily. You
may experience new speech sounds, which can seem
a little disturbing in the beginning. However, after
the brain has adapted to the new speech sounds, you
should hear speech clearer.

5. Telecoil use in church, theatre, or cinema

An increasing number of churches, theatres and public
buildings often have loop systems installed.
These systems send out wireless sound to be received
by the telecoil in your hearing instruments. Typically, a
sign will let you know whether the place has a telecoil.
Ask your Hearing Care Professional for details.

3. Listen to radio or TV

When listening to the TV or the radio, start out by
listening to news commentators since they usually
speak clearly, then try other programs.

If you find it difficult to listen to TV or radio, your
Hearing Care Professional should be able to give
you advice about assistive listening devices. If your
hearing instruments have a telecoil program, you may
benefit from this in combination with a loop system.

4. In group conversations

Group situations are usually accompanied by a
greater degree of background noise, and are
therefore, naturally more difficult to cope with. In
such situations, therefore, focus your attention on the
person you want to hear. If you miss a word, ask the
speaker to repeat.

34

6. Using the telephone

When using the telephone tilt the receiver edge lightly
on your cheek-bone in order to let the sound flow
directly into the hearing instrument’s microphone
opening. This way, the hearing aid will not whistle
and you ensure the best conditions to understand
the conversation. When you have the receiver in
this position, remember to speak directly into the
microphone on the telephone in order to ensure good
understanding at the opposite “end of the line”.

If your hearing aid has
a telecoil (and your
telephone has a built-in
tele-loop) you can switch
into the telecoil program
in order to further improve
the sound reception.

35

Remember that the telecoil in hearing instruments
may pick up disturbing signals from electronic
devices, such as a fax machines, computers,
televisions or similar. Make sure that the hearing aid
has a distance of 2 - 3 meters to such devices when
using the telecoil program.

Use your hearing instruments all day long

The best way to ensure better hearing is to practice
listening until you can wear your hearing instruments
comfortably all day. In most cases, you will not get the
full benefit of the hearing instuments if you use them
infrequently.

7. Wireless and mobile phones

Your hearing instruments are designed to comply
with the most stringent Standards of International
Electromagnetic Compatibility. However not all
mobile phones are hearing instrument compatible. Use
the microphone position unless you have a special
loop for your mobile phone. The varying degree of
disturbance can be due to the nature of your particular
mobile phone.

36

Your hearing instruments will not restore normal
hearing. Nor will they prevent or improve a hearing
impairment resulting from a physiological condition.
What they will give you, however, is help towards
making better use of the hearing ability that you
have. If you have two hearing instruments always
wear both.

The most important benefits of wearing two
hearing instruments are:

• Your ability to localize sounds will improve.

• It will be easier to understand speech in noisy
surroundings.

• You will experience a fuller, more comfortable
sound picture.

37

Common problems and their solutions

Effect

Cause

Solution

Squealing

Ear wax accumulated in ear canal

noise

Hearing instrument inserted
improperly

No sound

Whirring
noise or

Clogged sound outlet

Clogged microphone opening

Worn-out battery

Dirty or corroded battery
contacts

Dirty or corroded battery
contacts

beeping

Dirty or corroded battery

Worn-out battery

If none of the above solutions solves the problem,
ask your Hearing Care Professional for assistance.

Have ear canal examined by your doctor

Reinsert hearing instrument (pg. 13)

Clean sound outlet (pg. 30)

Clean microphone opening with a brush

Replace battery (pg. 25)

Open and close the battery drawer
several times or replace battery (pg. 25)

Open and close the battery drawer
several times or replace battery (pg. 25)

Clean battery surfaces with dry cloth
or replace battery (pg. 25)

Replace battery (pg. 25)

38

39

International Warranty

Oticon hearing instruments are covered by a limited
warranty issued by the manufacturer for a period of
12 months from the date of delivery. This limited
warranty covers manufacturing and material defects in
the hearing instrument itself, but not accessories such
as batteries, tubing, earwax filters etc.

Oticon Warranty Certificate

Name of Owner:

Dispenser:

Dispenser Address:

Problems arising from improper handling or care,
excessive use, accidents, repairs made by an
unauthorized party, exposure to corrosive conditions,
physical changes in your ear, damage due to foreign
objects entering the device, or incorrect adjustments
are NOT covered by the limited warranty and may
void it.

The above warranty does not affect any legal rights
that you might have under applicable national
legis lation governing sale of consumer goods. Your
Hearing Care Professional may have issued a warranty
that goes beyond the clauses of this limited warranty.
Please consult him/her for further information.

If you need service

Take your hearing instrument to your Hearing Care
Profes sional, who may well be able to sort out
minor problems and adjustments on the spot.

40

Dispenser Phone:

Purchase date:

Warranty period: Month:

Model left: Serial no.:

Model right: Serial no.:

Battery size:

Oticon A/S

Waste from electronic equipment
must be handled according to
local regulations.

9, Kongebakken
DK-2765 Smørum

0543

www.hear-it.org

www.oticon.com

41

906 69 010 00 / 07.07 Printed in Denmark