Siemens CENTRA Behind-the-Ear, CENTRA S, CENTRA S VC, CENTRA P, CENTRA HP System User Manual

CENTRA

TM

User Guide
Behind-the-Ear System

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Congratulations !

As the owner of a new hearing system, you may once again
enjoy the sounds of your environment and conversation with
your family and friends.

These instructions as well as support from your hearing
instrument specialist will help you understand how your new
hearing system works. In this guide, you’ll find instructions
about insertion, removal and use of your CENTRA

TM

hearing
system. There are also tips and information on proper hand­ling, cleaning, care and changing of the batteries. In addi­tion, a troubleshooting section is offered for your reference.

Your hearing improvement with a hearing system depends
on the fit of the hearing instruments, the type and degree
of hearing loss, and proper diagnostic testing. Of course,
a hearing system cannot restore normal hearing, and not
everyone will benefit equally.

More than 80 percent of individuals with a hearing loss have
a hearing loss in both ears. Studies show that even when a
hearing loss is worse in one ear, most people will benefit
from wearing two instruments.

Remember, a hearing system consists of finely-tuned devices
that have been specially designed and expertly adjusted for
your individual needs. Proper care and handling will ensure
the best possible performance of your CENTRA hearing
system.

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Contents

Page

Your CENTRA BTE (behind-the-ear) hearing system

- CENTRA S and CENTRA S VC 4

- CENTRA P and CENTRA HP 5

- CENTRA SP 6

Battery insertion and removal 7

Battery compartment door lock 10

Inserting and removing your CENTRA BTE 11

Turning your CENTRA BTE on and off 12

e2e wireless

TM

14

Using the program button 16

Using the directional microphone system 18

Audio input 20

Using the telephone 22

Maintenance and care 24

Important notes 25

Troubleshooting tips 26

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Your CENTRA S and S VC BTE*
hearing system

CENTRA S VCCENTRA S

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* BTE – Behind-the-ear

Features

1. Ear hook

2. Microphone openings

3. Program button

with ON/OFF function
(only CENTRA S)

4. Volume control (only

CENTRA S VC)

5. Cover for programming
socket

6. Battery compartment
with ON/OFF function

7. Color-coded typeplate
red = right instrument
blue = left instrument

8. Audio input

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CENTRA HPCENTRA P

Your CENTRA P and HP BTE
hearing system

Features

1. Ear hook

2. Microphone openings

3. Program button
with ON/OFF function

4. Volume control

5. Cover for programming
socket

6. Battery compartment

7. Color-coded typeplate
red = right instrumen
blue = left instrument

8. Audio input

For optimum fitting, CENTRA P instruments are specially
designed for both the left and right ears. In addition, they
are color-coded for your convenience to keep them easily
apart.

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Your CENTRA SP BTE hearing
system

Features

1. Ear hook

2. Microphone openings

3. Program button
with ON/OFF function

4. Volume control

5. Cover for programming
socket

6. Battery compartment

7. Color-coded typeplate
red = right instrument
blue = left instrument

8. Audio input

CENTRA SP

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Battery insertion and removal

Handling the battery

Remove the tab on your battery
only when you are ready to use it.

Inserting the battery

Open the battery compartment
with your fingernail as shown in
the illustration.

Swivel open the battery compart­ment door, if not already open.
Insert a proper sized battery so
that the "+” symbol on the battery
matches the "+” marked on the
battery compartment.

Three useful tips:

• The positive (+) side of the battery is always the
smooth side. You can recognize the negative (-) side
by the colored ring.

• Always keep spare batteries with you.

• If you think you cannot change the battery by yourself,
ask someone to help you: a family member, friend or
your hearing instrument specialist.

Low battery indicator

Your hearing system may be programmed to inform you
when the battery should be replaced for best system perfor­mance. You may hear an intermittent series of beeps and/or
experience low amplification power or volume. Change the
battery when either of these occurs.

When using a remote control

If you have an ePocket

TM

remote control, you can check the
battery status using the "data read out” function. (See the
ePocket user guide for more information).

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Close the battery compartment
by gently pressing the bottom of
the door upward with your finger
tip. Do not force the door shut. If
it does not close easily, check if
the battery was inserted properly.
When the battery door is comple­tely closed, your hearing instru­ment is ready for use.

Removing the battery

In case the battery does not come
out, lightly tap the system or care­fully push the

battery out with a

pencil as shown.

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Caution:

Keep batteries and instruments away from the reach of
small children.
Batteries can be harmful if swallowed.
If swallowed, consult a physician or a hospital immedia­tely.

Change the batteries when any of the following occur:

- Volume becomes softer or weak.

- You hear a battery signal beep.

- You see empty battery status on
the display of your ePocket.

Do NOT throw used batteries into household trash.
Return them to your hearing instrument specialist
for environmentally correct disposal.

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Battery compartment door lock

Your instrument is equipped with a
battery compartment door lock to
prevent the unintentional removal
of the batteries.

To lock the battery compartment,
open the compartment door to the
first stop. Push the slide to the
right with a suitable tool.

To unlock the battery compart­ment, open the compartment door
to the first stop. Push the slide to
the left with a suitable tool.

If necessary, your hearing instru­ment specialist can further instruct
you on the use of this feature.

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Inserting and removing
your CENTRA BTE

Make sure that your hearing
instrument is turned off. Hold the
earmold between your thumb and
index finger and insert it carefully
into your ear canal. You may find
it helpful to pull your ear slightly
upward or to the back. Gently
work the earmold into its proper
position by adjusting it until it is
firmly seated in your ear. Once
inserted, you should be able to
feel if the ear mold is placed cor­rectly. Next, place your hearing
instrument behind your ear and
turn it on.

Tip:

Practice inserting and removing
your hearing instrument correctly.
An easy way to practice is to sit
down at a table. Place a mirror in
front of you and prop your elbows
on the table so you can guide
your hands easily and safely. This
will help you stay relaxed and
comfortable while you practice.

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Turning your CENTRA BTE
ON and OFF

Via the battery compartment

Your CENTRA hearing system turns on automatically when a
battery is inserted and the compartment door is completely
closed.

To turn OFF

Press the battery compartment in
the rear down to the first stop to
turn the hearing instrument OFF.

To turn ON

Fully close the battery compart­ment to turn the hearing instru­ment ON.

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Your hearing instrument specialist
can also program your hearing
system to be turned ON and OFF
using the program button.

Via the push button

To turn your hearing instrument OFF, press and hold the pro­gram button for approximately 2 seconds.

To turn your hearing instrument ON again, press and hold the
program button for approximately 2 seconds.

Please note that when you turn your hearing instrument OFF
using the program button, you must wait approximately 10
seconds for the instrument to reset before you can turn it
back ON again using the program button.

Check with your hearing instrument specialist which ON/OFF
function your hearing system is equipped with.

Power-on delay

Your hearing instrument is equipped with a "power-on delay"
feature. This feature delays sound from entering your hearing
instrument when it is first turned on, so that you may insert
the hearing instrument into your ear without experiencing
unpleasant feedback (whistling). The "power-on delay" can
be activated by your hearing instrument specialist.

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e2e wireless

TM

for CENTRA hearing systems

Unique to your CENTRA hearing system is the e2e (ear-to-ear)
wireless technology. This wireless functionality...

... automatically adjusts both of your hearing instru-

ments simultaneously to different listening situations.

... allows use of accessories including the ePocket

(bi-directional remote control) function.

... provides synchronization of the settings in the system.

If you change the volume or program on one hearing
instrument, the other is automatically adapted.

Your hearing instrument specialist can activate or deactivate
the e2e wireless functionality of your hearing system. The
ePocket function can be activated or deactivated separately.

Note:

The performance of the e2e wireless could be affected by
electro-magnetic interferences, such as a computer monitor or
halogen lamp systems controlled by a switching power supply.
Move away from the source of interference if you experience
difficulty.

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Wireless remote control –
ePocket

(accessory)

The e2e wireless function of your
CENTRA hearing system supports
ePocket, the bi-directional remote
control from Siemens. With ePocket,
you can change the program and
volume of your hearing system
and read out the system settings.

For further information on ePocket,
contact your hearing instrument
specialist or refer to the ePocket
user guide.

ePocket

TM

accessory

for CENTRA hearing systems

Note:

In case another person’s remote control unit (RCU) interferes
with your hearing aid, please return your RCU and hearing
aid to the service department for change of the transmission
key.

During the use of the wireless link while the instrument is
operated in telephone coil mode, pulsing noise may be heard
due to pick-up of the transmission signal by the hearing aid
telephone coil. Please use remote control in telephone coil
mode only with a distance greater than 10 cm.

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Using the program button

How to select the programs

Your CENTRA hearing system
offers up to four hearing pro­grams for specific listening envi­ronments. They change the cha­racteristics of the sound coming
through the hearing system. Se­lect a program using the program

button of your hearing aid or by attaching an audio shoe.

Each time you press the program button, your hearing sys­tem switches to the next program, confirming each change
with a beep. The number of beeps you hear coincides with
the selected program: one beep for the first program, two
beeps for the second program etc. When you attach an audio
shoe, the hearing system automatically switches to program 4.

The program button can be programmed for special
functions:

Audio shoe: Is the audio shoe attached, you can use the
program button to change between the different audio shoe
modes (only audio shoe, mix mode of audio shoe and micro­phone or only microphone mode).

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Telephone coil: When you hold a telephone receiver to your
CENTRA hearing instrument, the telephone program Auto­Phone is automatically activated by the magnetic field of the
receiver.

Ask your hearing instrument specialist about these functio­nalities and he will program your CENTRA hearing system to
your individual needs.

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Description of the hearing situation

Hearing program

Note:

For e2e wireless function:

If you are wearing two hearing instruments, the program
will be changed on both instruments at the same time.

Audio shoe

AutoPhone

Mode

Functionality

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Using the directional
microphone system

Your CENTRA hearing system has a directional microphone
system, which can be programmed to your individual needs.

It can be set to an automatic mode so the CENTRA hearing
system automatically adjusts the microphone system from
omni-directional to directional mode and back, depending
on the hearing situation.

For example:
A typical situation for the directional mode is a face-to-face
conversation in a noisy environment.

A typical situation for the omni-directional mode is when you
are in more quiet environments and want to hear the sounds
around you.

Your hearing instrument specialist will program the opera­tion of the directional microphone system to function either
automatically or in conjunction with the program button
based on your individual hearing requirements and preferen­ces. If the directional microphone system is not programmed
to function automatically, your hearing instrument specialist
can instruct you on its use.

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Using the volume control

All CENTRA hearing systems have manu­al volume control, except the CENTRA S.
In general, volume control of CENTRA
hearing systems is fully automatic and
there is no need to manually adjust the
volume. Should you prefer manual volu­me control, however, CENTRA hearing
systems can be programmed for manual
adjustment.

Rotate the wheel
upwards to increase
volume. Rotate it down
to decrease volume.

For manual adjustment, rotate the wheel-shaped volume
control with your index finger to select the desired listening
volume (up for louder, down for softer).

If your hearing system is equipped with a warning tone for
volume control limits, once it is heard, adjusting the volume
control further in that direction will have no effect.

Learning function

CENTRA hearing instruments memorize changes made in
volume control settings. They are evaluated, averaged, and
automatically applied. This means that over time your hea­ring instrument automatically adapts to your preferences
regarding the volume setting for each program.

If your hearing system has not been programmed for manual
control adjustment, the volume will automatically adjust and
rotating the volume control wheel will have no effect.

Note:

With the ePocket remote control, volume settings can be
adjusted and memorized on all systems.

If you are wearing two hearing instruments, the volume
will be changed on both instruments simultaneously.

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Audio input

Your hearing system is equipped with audio input capability.
This enables the connection between the hearing system and
accessories such as an FM system, tape recorder, television-,
or an infrared device. It can be useful for adults in difficult lis­tening situations and for children in classrooms. Because the
sound is coming directly from the sound source to the hearing
system, the signal is clearer and unaffected by poor room
acoustics.

Note:

You can only use audio shoes designed exclusively for CENTRA
hearing systems.

Nib in the audio shoeSmall recess in the

hearing system housing

only CENTRA SP

Hearing system

Printed sign at
the inner side*

“F5” CENTRA S

“F5” CENTRA S VC

“F5” CENTRA P

“F5” CENTRA HP

“L6” CENTRA SP

* Which can be seen when looking from the top into the audio shoe.

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Safety instructions for hearing systems with audio input

The audio input may be connected to line-operated equipment
only if the equipment fulfills the safety requirement IEC 65 /
DIN VDE 0860.

Before the audio shoe can be attached to the hearing system,
the following steps have to be fulfilled:

1. Open the battery compartment.

2. Open the audio shoe cover.

3. Close the battery compartment.

With the audio shoe attached, the battery compartment switch
is disabled and the hearing system can only be switched off
with the push button.
Your hearing instrument specialist can further instruct you on
the use of the audio input, and provide information regarding
audio input accessories such as audio shoes and cords.

Attaching the audio shoe

Slide the audio shoe to the inner side
of the hearing system housing until it
snaps into the end position.

To remove the audio shoe, slide the
audio shoe in the opposite direction.

Removing the audio shoe

Only for CENTRA SP: The audio shoe cover has a
guideway which helps to attach the audio shoe.

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Using the telephone

Automatic telephone program

With the AutoPhone function, your
CENTRA hearing system will auto­matically switch to the telephone
program when you hold a hearing­instrument-compatible telephone
receiver to your hearing instrument.
When you have finished speaking

on the phone and you move the
telephone receiver away from the hearing instrument, it will
automatically return to the previously used hearing program.

You can also select the telephone program manually by
using the program button.

The telephone program can be set to microphone mode or
telephone coil mode. Your hearing instrument specialist will
program your hearing system to your individual requirements.

AutoPhone magnet accessory

Some telephones produce a magnetic field strong enough to
automatically activate the AutoPhone function. Most types of
telephones, however, require a small magnet, which is availa­ble as an accessory and can be attached to telephone receivers
to activate the AutoPhone function. Ask your hearing instru­ment specialist about this accessory and if it is right for your
hearing care needs.

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Note:

Magnets can pose risks to electronics and magnetic storage
mediums when placed in close proximity. Take care not to
set magnets near computers, color monitors, television sets,
floppy discs, credit cards, video/audio tapes, and other elec­tronic equipment.

Keep magnets away from the reach of children. If swallowed,
consult your physician.
Magnets may interfere with the operation of life supporting
systems (i.e. pace-makers, magnetic valves etc). Use a mag­net only if not in doubt about the safe distance.

The safe distance between pacemaker and magnet should
be at least 10 cm (4 inch).

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Maintenance and care

Your new CENTRA hearing system is a highly sensitive system.
Proper care and handling will ensure the best possible
performance.

Earwax may accumulate on your earmold. If not cleaned regu­larly you can damage the hearing system or cause health pro­blems. Therefore:

1. It is essential to detach the ear­mold from your behind-the-ear
system and then place it in the
cleaning bath. Caution: Do NOT
put the hearing system in water,
only the earmold.

2. Occasionally bring your hearing
system to your hearing instru­ment specialist to have the
hearing tube changed and the
system checked.

Care tips:

• You should place your hearing
system in a "dry aid kit" with a special
moisture-attracting capsule overnight.
The drying capsule draws damaging
moisture out of the system.

• Your hearing instrument specialist can
provide you with special care sets and
drying capsules to keep your hearing
system in good condition.

Always store your hea­ring system in the case
provided.

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Important notes

• Never expose your hearing system to extreme temperatures
or high humidity. Do not store it in direct sunlight. Do not
wear it when taking a shower or when applying hairspray.

• As with all electrical, non gas-encapsulated systems,
the hearing system must not be operated in explosion­endangered rooms.

•

Do not wear your hearing system during short-wave therapy-,
or if you work with medical treatments that use strong
magnetic or high-frequency fields, such as magnetic reso­nance tomography, X-rays or microwave oven.

• Make sure to turn your hearing system off when not in use.
This helps preserve your batteries.

• When not wearing your hearing system for long periods of
time, remove the batteries. This prevents leakage, which can
sometimes occur in batteries. Replace batteries that have
a leakage immediately.

• 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.

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Troubleshooting tips

Your CENTRA hearing system is an extremely reliable device.
However, should a problem occur, it can usually be corrected
quickly. This troubleshooting guide helps you to sort out sim­ple problems.

PROBLEM CAUSE POSSIBLE SOLUTION

System Weak or dead Replace with new
sound is weak battery battery

System clogged Clean ear mold

Volume too low Turn up volume control

System Improper seating in Try reinserting the instru-
whistles ear ment until it fits securely

Volume control too Lower volume control
high

Clogged with wax or Clean ear mold or contact
excessive wax in your hearing instrument
ears specialist

Crack in ear mold See your hearing instru­tubing ment specialist

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PROBLEM CAUSE POSSIBLE SOLUTION

Sound is Volume control too Lower volume control
distorted or high
intermittent

Weak battery Replace battery

“Buzzing” or Battery compartment Gently close the
“whistling” is not completely battery compartment
sound closed

Weak battery Replace battery

Lower volume control

Hearing System not Turn on system
system turned on
does not work

Battery compart- Gently close the battery
partment is not compartment completely
completely closed

Dead battery Replace with new battery

Battery polarity Make sure battery is
reversed inserted correctly

If you still encounter problems after trying these suggestions,
consult your hearing instrument specialist.

Siemens
Audiologische Technik GmbH
Gebbertstraße 125
91058 Erlangen
Germany

www.hearing-siemens.com

Order-No.: A91100-M5100-1257-01-7600
Printed in Germany

0206.CG
1016 9401

Subject to change without prior notice.

0123

With the CE marking, Siemens confirms compliance with the European Directive 93/42/EEC
concerning medical devices.

Within the European Union, the marked equipment is covered by
"Directive 2002/96/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council
of 27 January 2003 on waste electrical and electronical equipment.
Amended by Directive 2003/108/EC" (WEEE).