Siemens Carat binax, Carat A binax User Manual

Life sounds brilliant.

www.siemens.co.uk/hearing

Carat binax™
Carat A binax™

User Guide

2 Content

Content

Welcome    4

Your hearing instruments    5

Instrument type    5
Getting to know your hearing instruments     5
Components and names    6
Controls    8
Settings    9

Batteries    10

Battery size and handling tips    10
Replacing batteries    11
Recharging rechargeable batteries    12

Daily use    13

Turning on and off    13
Inserting and removing the hearing instruments   15
Adjusting the volume    18
Changing the hearing program    19
Further adjustments (optional)    19

Special listening situations    20

Setting the focus (optional)    20
On the phone    22
Audio induction loops    24
Audio input (FM system)    25

3Content

Maintenance and care    27

Hearing instruments    27
Ear pieces    28
Professional maintenance    30

Further information    31

Wireless functionality    31
Accessories    31
Symbols used in this document    31
Troubleshooting    32
Service information    34
Country-specic information    35

Welcome4

Thank you for choosing Siemens hearing instruments to
accompany you through everyday life. Like anything new,
it may take you a little time to become familiar with them.

This guide, along with support from your Hearing Care
Professional, will help you understand the advantages
and greater quality of life your hearing instruments offer.

To receive the most benet from your hearing 

instruments, it is recommended that you wear them every
day, all day. This will help you get adjusted to them.

CAUTION

It is important to read this user guide and the safety
manual thoroughly and completely. Follow the
safety information to avoid damage or injury.

Welcome

Your hearing instruments 5

This user guide describes optional features that
your hearing instruments may or may not have.

Ask your Hearing Care Professional to indicate the
features that are valid for your hearing instruments.

Instrument type

Your hearing instruments are a RIC (Receiver-in-Canal)
model. The receiver is placed within the ear canal and
connected to the instrument via a receiver cable. The
instruments are not intended for infants, small children
or mentally disabled persons.

Getting to know your hearing instruments

It is recommended to familiarize yourself with your new
hearing instruments. With the instruments in your hand
try using the controls and note their location on the
instrument. This will make it easier for you to feel and
press the controls while wearing the hearing instruments.

If you have problems pressing the controls of your
hearing instruments while wearing them, you can
ask your Hearing Care Professional about a remote
control option.

Your hearing instruments

Your hearing instruments6

Components and names

➊ Ear piece

➋ Receiver

➌ Receiver cable

➍ Microphone openings

➎ Rocker switch (control)

➏ Charging contact

(Carat binax only)

➐ Battery compartment

(on/off switch)

➑ Side indicator

(red = right ear,
blue = left ear)

➒ Receiver connection

Your hearing instruments 7

You can use standard or custom-made ear pieces.

Standard ear pieces Size

Click ' RP HΠsingle
(open or closed)

Click Dome semi-open

Click Dome double

You can easily exchange the standard ear pieces.
Read more in section "Maintenance and care".

Custom-made ear pieces

Custom shell

Click 0 ROGŒ

Your hearing instruments8

Controls

With the rocker switch you can, for
example, adjust the volume or switch
hearing programs. Your Hearing Care
Professional has programmed your
desired functions to the rocker switch.

You can also use a remote control.

Rocker switch function LR

Press briey:

Program up/down

Volume up/down

Tinnitus noiser level up/down

Sound balance

Focus selection (spatial congurator)

Sound mixer (audio input)

Press long:

Standby/turn on

Program up/down

Press very long:

Standby/turn on

L = Left, R = Right

Your hearing instruments 9

Settings

Hearing programs

1

2

3

4

5

6

Read more in section "Changing the hearing program".

Features

Power-on delay enables whistle-free insertion of
hearing instruments.
Read more in section "Turning on and off".

$ X WR3 K RQ HΠautomatically switches to the
telephone program when the telephone receiver
approaches the ear.
Read more in section "On the phone".

The tinnitus noiser generates a soft noise to distract
you from your tinnitus.

To recharge batteries in hearing instruments with
charging contacts, simply place the instruments in

the charger. After charging, the charger dehumidies 

the hearing instruments.

The e2e wireless functionality enables simultaneous
control of both hearing instruments.
Read more in section "Wireless functionality".

Batteries10

When the battery is low the sound becomes weaker or
you will hear an alert signal. The battery type will
determine how long you have to replace or recharge
the battery.

Battery size and handling tips

Ask your Hearing Care Professional for recommended
batteries.

Battery size: 13

■ Always use the correct battery size for your hearing

instruments.

■ Remove the batteries if you intend not to use the

hearing instruments for several days.

■ Always carry spare batteries.

■ Remove empty batteries immediately and follow your

local recycling rules for battery disposal.

Batteries

Batteries 11

Replacing batteries

Removing the battery:

 Open the battery compartment.

 Use the magnet stick to pull out the

battery. The magnet stick is available
as an accessory.

Batteries12

Inserting the battery:

 If the battery has a protective lm, remove it 

only when you are ready to use the battery.

 Insert the battery with the "+" symbol

facing up (refer to the picture).

 Carefully close the battery compartment. If you feel

resistance, the battery is not inserted correctly.

Do not attempt to close the battery compartment by
force. It can be damaged.

Recharging rechargeable batteries

Charge rechargeable batteries before rst use. 

 To charge the batteries, follow the instructions in the

FK DUJ HU· VX VHUJ X LGH

After many recharging cycles, the battery lifetime may
reduce. In this case, replace the rechargeable battery with
a new one. To do so, follow the instructions for replacing
batteries.

Daily use 13

Turning on and off

You have the following options to turn your hearing
instruments on or off.

Via battery compartment:

 Turning on: Close the battery compartment.

The default volume and hearing program are set.

 Turning off: Open the battery compartment to 

the rst catch.

After charging:

 Turning on: Take the instruments out of the charger.

The default volume and hearing program are set.

Via rocker switch:

 Turning on or off: Press and hold the rocker switch 

for several seconds. Refer to section "Controls" for
the settings of the rocker switch.

After turning on, the previously used volume and
hearing program remain set.

Daily use

Daily use14

Via remote control:

 Follow the instructions in the remote control's user

guide.

After turning on, the previously used volume and
hearing program remain set.

When wearing the hearing instruments, an alert tone can
indicate when an instrument is being turned on or off.

When the power-on delay is activated, the hearing
instruments turn on after a delay of several seconds.
During this time you can insert the hearing instruments
into your ears without experiencing unpleasant feedback
whistling.

The "power-on delay" can be activated by your
Hearing Care Professional.

Daily use 15

Inserting and removing the hearing instruments

Your hearing instruments have been ne-tuned for your 

right and left ear. Colored markers indicate

the side: 

■ red marker = right ear

■ blue marker = left ear

Inserting a hearing instrument:

 Hold the receiver cable at the bend closer to

the ear piece.

 Carefully push the ear piece in

the ear canal

➊

.

 Twist it slightly until it sits well.

Open and close your mouth to
avoid accumulation of air in the
ear canal.

 Lift the hearing instrument and

slide it over the top of your ear

➋

.

CAUTION

Risk of injury!

 Insert the ear piece carefully and not too deeply

into the ear.

Daily use16

■ It may be helpful to insert the right hearing

instrument with the right hand and the left
hearing instrument with the left hand.

■ If you have problems inserting the ear piece,

use the other hand to gently pull your earlobe
downwards. This opens the ear canal and eases
insertion of the ear piece.

The optional retention strand helps to securely retain the

ear piece in your ear. To position the retention strand:

 Bend the retention strand and

position it carefully into the
bottom of the bowl of your ear
(refer to the picture).

Daily use 17

Removing a hearing instrument:

 Lift the hearing instrument

and slide it over the top of
your ear

➊

.

 If your hearing instrument is

equipped with a custom shell
or a Click Mold, remove it by
pulling the small removal cord
toward the back of your head.

 For all other ear pieces: Grip the receiver in the 

ear canal with two ngers and pull it carefully out 

➋

.

Do not pull the receiver cable.

CAUTION

Risk of injury!

 In very rare cases the ear piece could remain in

your ear when removing the hearing instrument.
If this happens, have the ear piece removed by a
medical professional.

Clean and dry your hearing instruments after usage.
Read more in section "Maintenance and care".

Daily use18

Adjusting the volume

Your hearing instruments automatically adjust the volume
to the listening situation.

 If you prefer manual volume adjustment, press the

rocker switch briey or use a remote control.

Refer to section "Controls" for the setting of the
rocker switch.

An optional signal tone can indicate the volume change.
Once the maximum or minimum volume has been
reached, you may hear an optional signal tone.

Daily use 19

Changing the hearing program

Depending on the listening situation, your hearing
instruments automatically adjust their sound.

Your hearing instruments may also have several hearing
programs which allow you to change the sound, if
needed. An optional signal tone can indicate the
program change.

 To change the hearing program, press the

rocker switch or use a remote control.

Refer to section "Controls" for the setting of the
rocker switch. Refer to section "Settings" for a list of
your hearing programs.

If the AutoPhone function is activated, the hearing
program switches automatically to a telephone
program when the telephone receiver is close to
the ear.

Read more in section "On the phone".

Further adjustments (optional)

The controls of your hearing instruments can also be
used to change, for example, the sound balance or the
tinnitus noiser level. Sound balance allows you to adjust
the bass and treble to your preferences.

Refer to section "Controls" for the setting of your controls.

Special listening situations20

Setting the focus (optional)

If you want to focus more directly on your conversation
partner in front of you, or if you want to listen to the
broader environment – the spatial congurator gives 
you control over your listening preference.

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position" (left picture) to "middle position" (center picture)
to "hear all around" (right picture).

Prerequisites:

■ You need to wear two hearing instruments.

■ On one of your hearing instruments the rocker switch

needs to be set for the spatial congurator.

Refer to section "Controls" for the setting of the
rocker switch.

With a suitable remote control and smartphone app you
have even more control options.

Special listening situations

Special listening situations 21

Setting the focus manually:

 If you have several hearing programs, change to

hearing program 1.

 Press the rocker switch that is set for this function.

The mid level is active by default.

 Press the upper rocker switch to focus more to the

front, or the lower rocker switch to listen to the
broader environment.

This function is intended for unique and temporary
listening situations. The hearing instruments thus return

automatically to the automatic setting of program 1 if 
the sound environment changes signicantly or after 
approximately 45 minutes. You can also exit the spatial 
congurator mode.

Exiting spatial congurator mode:

 Toggle to the minimum or maximum level.

An optional signal tone can indicate the minimum
and maximum level.

 Toggle one step further.

The same signal tone as for changing the hearing
program is played, indicating that you have exited

the spatial congurator mode.

Special listening situations22

On the phone

When you are on the phone, hold
the telephone receiver slightly above
your ear. The hearing instrument and
telephone receiver have to be aligned.
Turn the receiver slightly so that the ear
is not completely covered.

Telephone program

You may prefer a certain volume when using the phone.

Ask your Hearing Care Professional to congure a 

telephone program.

 Switch to the telephone program whenever you are

on the phone or use the automatic program switch.

If a telephone program or the automatic program
switch are congured for your hearing instruments, 
it is listed in section "Settings".

Special listening situations 23

Automatic program switch (AutoPhone)

Your hearing instrument can automatically select the
telephone program when you bring the telephone
handset close to the hearing instrument. When you are

nished speaking on the phone, move the handset away 

from the hearing instrument and microphone mode will
re-set itself.

If you want to use this function, ask your Hearing Care

Professional to do the following: 

■ Activate the AutoPhone function.

■ Check the telephone receiver’s magnetic eld.

For the automatic program switch, your hearing
instrument detects the telephone receiver’s magnetic

eld. Not all telephones produce a magnetic eld 

strong enough to activate the AutoPhone function.
In this case, you can use the Siemens AutoPhone
magnet, which is available as an accessory, and
attach it to the telephone receiver.

See the AutoPhone magnet user guide for instructions on
how to position the magnet.

NOTICE

Use the approved AutoPhone magnet only. Ask
your Hearing Care Professional for this accessory.

Special listening situations24

Audio induction loops

Some telephones and public places like theatres offer the
audio signal (music and speech) via an audio induction
loop. With this system, your hearing instruments can
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noise in the environment.

You can usually recognize audio induction
loop systems by certain signs.

Ask your Hearing Care Professional to congure a telecoil 

program.

 Switch to the telecoil program whenever you are

in a place with an audio induction loop.

If a telecoil program is congured for your hearing 

instruments, it is listed in section "Settings".

Telecoil program and remote control

NOTICE

For instruments with wireless connectivity:

When the telecoil program is active, the remote
control may cause a pulsing noise.

 Use the remote control with a distance greater

than 10 cm (4 inches).

Special listening situations 25

Audio input (FM system)

With an audio input you can connect your hearing
instruments to an FM system. An FM system consists of
a transmitter and a receiver. It gathers speech at
the voice source (via a separate microphone) and
transmits the sound directly to the hearing instruments.

The signal is clearer and unaffected by poor room

acoustics. This can be useful for adults in difcult listening 

situations and for children in classrooms.

Most FM systems allow for coupling with audio devices

like an MP3 player.

Notes:

■ The battery compartment with audio input is available

as an accessory only for Carat A hearing instruments.

As an alternative, you can use an audio streaming
device (accessory) with a plug for FM receivers.

■ Ask your Hearing Care Professional to congure your 

hearing instruments, for example:

□ Adjust the mix of the audio input signal with

surrounding sounds.

□ Congure the rocker switch so that you can select 

between audio input signal only, surrounding sound
only, or a mix of both signals.

Special listening situations26

WARNING

Risk of electric shock!

To prevent very rare cases of electric shock:

 Use the audio input only with battery operated

devices or FM systems.

WARNING

Risk of electric shock!

 Connect audio input only to a device conforming

to IEC 60065, the IEC-Norm for audio, video and 

other electronic devices.

Maintenance and care 27

To prevent damage it is important that you take care of
your hearing instruments and follow a few basic rules,
which will soon become a part of your daily routine.

Hearing instruments

Drying and storage

 Dry your hearing instruments overnight.

 Ask your Hearing Care Professional for recommended

drying products.

 For longer periods of non-use, store your hearing

instruments with open battery compartment and
batteries removed in a drying system to avoid the
adverse effects of moisture.

Cleaning

Your hearing instruments have a protective coating.
However, if not cleaned regularly you may damage the
hearing instruments or cause personal injury.

 Clean your hearing instruments daily with

a soft, dry tissue.

 Never use running water or immerse the 

devices in water.

 Never apply pressure while cleaning.

 Ask your Hearing Care Professional for recommended

cleaning products, special care sets, or more
information on how to keep your hearing instruments
in good condition.

Maintenance and care

Maintenance and care28

Ear pieces

Cleaning

Cerumen (ear wax) may accumulate on the ear pieces.
This may affect sound quality. Clean the ear pieces daily.

For all types of ear pieces:

 Clean the

ear piece right
after removal
with a soft and
dry tissue.

This prevents
that cerumen
becomes dry
and hard.

For Click Domes:

 Squeeze the tip of the dome.

Maintenance and care 29

Exchanging

Exchange standard ear pieces approximately every three
months. Replace them sooner if you notice cracks or
other changes. The procedure for exchanging standard
ear pieces depends on the type of ear piece. In section
"Components and names", your Hearing Care Professional
has marked your type of ear piece.

Exchanging Click Domes

If you have problems removing the old Click Dome,
use the removal tool or follow the instructions on the

packaging of the Click Domes:

The removal tool is available as an accessory.

 Take particular care that

the new Click Dome clicks
noticeable in place.

Maintenance and care30

Professional maintenance

Your Hearing Care Professional can perform a thorough
professional cleaning and maintenance.

Custom-made ear pieces and wax lters should be 

exchanged as needed by a professional.

Ask you Hearing Care Professional for your individual
recommendation of maintenance intervals and for
support.

Further information 31

Wireless functionality

Your hearing instruments are equipped with wireless
functionality. This provides synchronization between

your two hearing instruments:

■ If you change the program or volume on one

instrument, the other one is automatically changed,
too.

■ Both hearing instruments automatically adapt to the

listening situation simultaneously.

Wireless functionality enables the use of a remote control.

Accessories

The type of available accessories depends on the
instrument type. Examples are: a remote control, 
an audio streaming device, or a smartphone app for
remote control.

Consult your Hearing Care Professional for further
information.

Symbols used in this document

Points out a situation that could lead to serious,
moderate, or minor injuries.

Indicates possible property damage.

Advice and tips on how to handle your device better.

Further information

Further information32

Troubleshooting

Problem and possible solutions

Sound is weak.

■ Increase the volume.

■ Replace or recharge the empty battery

(depending on the battery type).

■ Clean or exchange the ear piece.

Hearing instrument emits whistling sounds.

■ Reinsert the ear piece until it ts securely.

■ Decrease the volume.

■ Clean or exchange the ear piece.

Sound is distorted.

■ Decrease the volume.

■ Replace or recharge the empty battery

(depending on the battery type).

■ Clean or exchange the ear piece.

Hearing instrument emits signal tones.

■ Replace or recharge the empty battery

(depending on the battery type).

Further information 33

Problem and possible solutions

Hearing instrument does not work.

■ Turn the hearing instrument on.

■ Gently close the battery compartment completely.

■ Replace or recharge the empty battery

(depending on the battery type).

■ Make sure the battery is inserted correctly.

■ Power-on delay is active.

Wait several seconds and check again.

Consult your Hearing Care Professional if you encounter
further problems.

Further information34

Service information

Serial numbers

Left:

Right:

Service dates

1:

2:

3:

4:

5:

6:

Your Hearing Care Professional

Date of purchase:

Further information 35

Country-specic information

www.siemens.co.uk /hearing

Document No. A91SAT-02372-99T02-7600 EN
Order/Item No. 108 264 04 | Master Rev03, 08.2014
© Siemens AG, 08.2014 | JN7241 | Printed in the UK

Legal Manufacturer

Siemens Audiologische Technik GmbH
Gebbertstrasse 125
91058 Erlangen
Germany
Phone [phone]

United Kingdom

Siemens Hearing Instruments Ltd.
Platinum House
Sussex Manor Business Park
Gatwick Road
Crawley, West Sussex RH10 9NH
Phone [phone]