Sonic VELOCITY miniBTE User Manual

User Guide

VELOCITY™ miniBTE

www.sonici.com

Owner Information

Hearing Aid Serial Number(s):

Left: _______________ Right ______________

Hearing Aid Model(s):

Left: _______________ Right ______________

Battery Size(s):

Left: _______________ Right ______________

Memory Number

Listening Situation

1
2
3
4

Table of Contents

Owner Information .......................................................2

Hearing Expectations ...................................................4

Your Hearing Aid ........................................................... 6

Your miniBTE Hearing Aid - Ear Hook .........................7

Your miniBTE Hearing Aid - Sound Tube .....................8

Turning Your Hearing Aid On and Off ...........................10

Putting On Your miniBTE - Ear Hook ........................... 11

Removing Your miniBTE - Ear Hook ............................12

Putting On Your miniBTE - Sound Tube ......................13

Removing Your miniBTE - Sound Tube ........................14

The Ear Hook or Sound Tube .......................................15

The Sound Dome ..........................................................16

Removing Feedback/Squeal.........................................17

SmartTones™ ...............................................................17

Volume Control .............................................................18

Using The Program Button ..........................................19

Changing The Battery ...................................................20

Direct Audio Input ........................................................23

Safety Lock ...................................................................25

Using the Telephone ..................................................... 26

Warranty .......................................................................27

Repair ............................................................................27

Maintenance and Care .................................................28

Troubleshooting ............................................................29

Warning to Hearing Aid Users .....................................31

Get the Most from your Hearing Aid ............................32

SONIC

4

Set Appropriate Expectations

It is important that you have the right expectations
regarding your hearing aids. Hearing aids will give you
better hearing, but they are not a cure for hearing loss.
People whose expectations are too high ("I thought
they would make my hearing normal") are likely to be
disappointed and may give up.

Hearing Aids Can:

• Help you hear and understand better in most
situations.

• Allow you to participate more in group situations
and meetings.

Hearing Aids Cannot:

• Give you normal hearing.

Hearing Aids May Not:

• Let you hear very soft sounds.

• Block ALL background noises–especially in

noisy groups. Even people without hearing loss
may have difficulty hearing in the presence of

background noise.

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5

Be Patient

Unlike eyeglasses, which correct your vision as soon
as you first put them on, hearing aids need some time
for proper adjustment. It may take several weeks or
months to completely adjust to your hearing aids, so try
to be patient. During the first week or so, try different
listening situations, such as one-on-one conversations
with family and friends and conversations with two
or three people at home or in quiet settings. Also, try
having conversations in noisier places like parties,
restaurants, meetings, and outdoors. Do not forget
that some situations are simply too noisy in general—
even for people without hearing loss. So, do not get
discouraged.

Consistent use of your hearing aid is strongly
recommended. In most cases, infrequent use does not
allow you to obtain the full benefit from your aid.

The use of a hearing aid is only a part of total hearing
rehabilitation, and may need to be supplemented by
auditory training and instruction in lip reading.

SONIC

6

Your Hearing Aid

Thank you for purchasing a Sonic hearing aid. Sonic
incorporates an advanced digital processor for more life
like sound. With your hearing aid, you’ll be able to enjoy
more natural everyday sound quality.

Your hearing aid has been programmed to fit your
hearing and communication needs. If you feel your
program needs to change, your hearing healthcare

provider can make changes to improve the sound.

Please review this instruction guide carefully. It contains
information on the use and care of your hearing aid.
With proper use and care, your hearing aid will improve
your connection with the world around you.

miniBTE USER GUIDE

7

Ear Hook

Earmold Tubing

Earmold

Program Button

Battery
Door

Volume
Control

Front
Microphone

Rear
Microphone

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8

Your miniBTE Hearing Aid - Sound Tube

Sound
Tube

Dome

Battery
Compartment

Front
Microphone

Rear
Microphone

Sound
Port

Program
Button

Retention Lock

Volume
Control

miniBTE USER GUIDE

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Serial Number

Right/Left Indicator

Blue = Left
Red = Right

SONIC

10

Turning Your Hearing Aid On and Off

Before turning your hearing aid off, wipe away any
moisture with a soft cloth. To turn your hearing aid off,
open the battery door slightly. Fully close the door to
turn the device back on.

Your hearing aid may be programmed to alert you with
SmartTones™ when it turns on or off. Your hearing
healthcare provider will tell you if this feature is
enabled. Your hearing aid may also have a “power on”
delay. This allows you to insert the aid before it is fully
active.

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11

Putting On Your miniBTE - Ear Hook

Start with the miniBTE hearing aid and earmold for
your left ear. Connect the earmold to the hearing aid by
pushing the hearing aid's ear hook into the tube on the
earmold.

Once the two are connected, hold the earmold with
your thumb and first finger. Gently guide it into your
ear canal.

Gently pulling down on
your ear lobe with your
other hand may help.
A slight twist may
be needed to fit the
earmold in your ear.

When the earmold is
in your ear, place the hearing aid
behind the top part of your ear. Do the
same thing with the right hearing aid
and earmold.

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12

Removing Your miniBTE - Ear Hook

To take your hearing
aid off, hold the
earmold with your
thumb and first finger.
Gently pull it out of your
ear canal.

A slight twist may be
needed to remove it. Do
not pull on the tube, as
it may come out of the
earmold.

Once the earmold is out of
your ear, remove the hearing
aid from behind your ear.

Reminder
Even though they look the same, hearing aids are
programmed to fit a specific ear (right or left). Make
sure the correct hearing aid is used with the correct
earmold. Refer to the right/left color indicator on page 7.

miniBTE USER GUIDE

13

Place your hearing aid over the
top of your ear.

Grasp the sound tube where it
bends and push the dome into
your ear canal. The dome should
be placed far enough into the ear
that the sound tube lies flush
with your head. When the dome
is placed appropriately, you will
not be able to see the sound
tube sticking out when you look
directly into a mirror.

Use your finger to position the
retention lock comfortably in the
bowl of your ear.

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14

Removing Your miniBTE - Sound Tube

To remove your hearing aid, hold the sound tube and
gently pull the dome out of your ear canal. Lift the
hearing aid case from behind your ear. Open the battery
compartment to turn off the device.

Important
Should the dome become separated from the sound
tube and remain lodged in your ear canal after removal
of the hearing aid, DO NOT attempt to remove the
dome yourself. Seek immediate care from your hearing
healthcare provider or physician.

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15

The Ear Hook or Sound Tube

The ear hook, sound tube, and dome should be cleaned
regularly:

1. Remove the ear hook or
sound tube from the hearing
aid by unscrewing it.

2. Use a damp cloth to clean
the outside of the ear hook
or sound tube and dome.

3. Use the black cleaning rod to push
any debris out of the ear hook or
sound tube.

4. Clean the end of the cleaning rod
before withdrawing it from the tube.

5. To attach the ear hook or
sound tube screw it back
onto the hearing aid.

Note: Be careful not to
over-rotate the ear hook or
sound tube.

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16

You should never attempt to modify the shape of the
sound tube yourself.

Never submerge or rinse the ear hook, sound tube, or
dome in water. Water may become lodged in the ear
hook or sound tube. If this should occur, it will prevent
sound from coming through the ear hook or sound
tube, and may be harmful to the electronics of the
hearing aid.

The sound tube conducts the amplified sound from the
hearing aid to your ear. It is important that the sound
tube and the dome fit correctly into your ear. If the
sound tube or the dome irritates your ear in any way
and prevents you from wearing your hearing aid, please
contact your hearing healthcare provider.

The sound tube and dome should be changed every
third month, or sooner if the sound tube becomes stiff
or brittle.

The Sound Dome

We recommend that your hearing healthcare provider
change the domes for you. If your hearing healthcare
provider instructs you to change the domes yourself,
make sure that they are securely fastened to the
sound tube before you insert them in your ear. Failure
to change the domes in accordance with these
instructions could result in personal injury.

miniBTE USER GUIDE

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Removing Feedback/Squeal

Your hearing aid may have the ability to address
feedback (whistle/squeal).

To remove feedback:

1. Make sure you are in a quiet environment.

2. Press and hold the program button on your hearing
aid for four seconds until you hear tones.
Note: If you do not hear the tones, this feature is
not enabled for your hearing aid.

3. Remove your finger from the program button and
from the vicinity of the hearing aid. You will hear
several bursts of noise.

After your hearing aid is trained your hearing aid will
return to your first listening program.

SmartTones™

Event Tone Description

Start Up Delay A slow sequence of double beeps.

Power On A fast sequence of beeps rising in pitch.

Program Change

A sequence of beeps rising in pitch. Number of
beeps matches listening program position.

Low Battery A slow, double beep from a high to low pitch.

Dying Battery A fast sequence of beeps descending in pitch.

SONIC

18

Volume Control

Your hearing aid is designed to adjust to the sound
level of the environment around you. You should only
need to make small volume changes to get natural and
comfortable sound.

In order to make these small changes, your hearing
aid has a volume control that allows you to turn up or
turn down the volume when needed. Rotate the volume
control wheel up to turn up the volume as needed. If
you need to lower the volume, slowly turn the volume
control wheel down. Your hearing aid may play a series
of SmartTones™ to let you know when you have reached
your best listening setting for volume.

Important
If the volume of your hearing aid is too loud or soft, talk
to your hearing healthcare provider. They may need to
make changes to your fitting program.

miniBTE USER GUIDE

19

Using The Program Button

Your hearing aid has a program button. This button
gives you the ability to choose different listening
programs. When you turn the hearing aid off and then
on, it automatically returns to program 1.

Each time you press the button, you move to the next
program. The sequence is 1, 2, 3, 4, 1...

Your hearing aid may use SmartTones™ to help you
identify which program you are using. When you select
program 1 you will hear one beep, program 2 will emit
two beeps, and so on.

Your hearing aid may also have Voice Alerts to help you
identify which program you are using. When you push
the program button, the name of the program you are
switching to will be announced.

Note

Your hearing healthcare provider may not activate all
programs.

Program

SmartTone

™

1
2
3
4

1 Beep
2 Beeps
3 Beeps
4 Beeps

SONIC

20

Changing The Battery

The life of your hearing aid battery will vary depending
on your hearing program, the listening situation, and
the length of daily use. A tone sequence or Voice Alert
will tell you when the battery in your hearing aid is
low. When you hear the warning, change the battery
in your hearing aid. If the battery gets so low that it
cannot supply enough power to your hearing aid, a
SmartTone™ power off sequence will play and the aid
will shut off. Place a new battery in the aid to turn it
back on. If your hearing aid is not in use, open the
battery door to slow the battery use.

Always remove the battery if your aid is not in use for
long periods.

Battery Type

Stainless steel zinc-air batteries are recommended.
Your hearing aid uses a #13 battery.

Change Batteries Regularly

Below is a table designed to help you determine when
you should change the batteries. The exact battery life
you experience may vary.

Hearing Aid Model Battery Type Change Battery Every*

miniBTE #13 201-251 hours

*Approximate number of hours.

miniBTE USER GUIDE

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Remove the Old Battery:

1. Open the battery compartment
by pushing either side of
the compartment with your
fingernail.

2. Rotate the compartment until the
opening in the battery retaining
ring points directly away from the
body of the hearing aid.

3. Remove the battery by lifting
the exposed edge of the battery
out of the retaining ring.

The battery may spring out of the retaining ring.
Be careful not to lose it.

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22

Insert A New Battery:

1. Grasp the hearing aid with thumb and forefinger
on either side of the open battery compartment to
keep the compartment from moving.

2. Insert a new battery by pushing it securely into the
opening of the retaining ring.

3. Once the battery snaps firmly in the retaining
ring, rotate the retaining ring back into the battery
compartment.

4. Cup your hand around the hearing aid.
A whistling or squealing sound means the battery
is working.

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Direct Audio Input

Using the Direct Audio Input (DAI) with assistive
listening devices may improve the understanding
of speech in one-on-one conversations. It may also
reduce stress in noisy environments.

Attaching the DAI Boot

Slip the DAI boot over your miniBTE, as shown. When it
is fully seated you will feel it click into place.

Insert the Euro plug of the assistive listening device
cable into the DAI boot.

Note
When the DAI is connected to AC-powered equipment,
this equipment must comply with IEC-60601 or
equivalent safety standards.

DAI Boot

Euro Plug

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Removing the DAI Boot

Pull the cable out of the DAI boot.

Grasp the DAI boot as shown. Pull the aid up and out
of the boot with your other hand.

Direct Audio Input Programs

Your hearing health care provider may have programmed
your hearing aid with special listening programs designed
to work when the DAI boot is attached. You access these
programs with your program button just as you would any
other listening programs. Refer to the chart on the inside
cover of this User Guide to determine the programs that
use the DAI feature.

Your hearing healthcare provider may have configured
your hearing aid to automatically switch to your first DAI
program when the DAI boot is attached. If you attach the
DAI boot and the hearing aid does not automatically switch,
use the program button to navigate to your DAI program.

miniBTE USER GUIDE

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Safety Lock

As an added safety feature, your battery door has been
designed with a locking bolt to deter children from
accessing the battery.

With the battery door fully closed, use a small screwdriver
or similar tool to slide the lock up into the slot. This will
prevent the battery door from opening until you slide it back
down again.

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26

Using the Telephone

Your miniBTE has a telecoil
option that has the ability to pick
up only the sounds coming from
a hearing aid-compatible telephone.
Your hearing healthcare provider
can program your hearing aid to take
advantage of this option. Refer to the
chart on the inside cover of this
User Guide to determine the
program that uses the telecoil
feature. When you have moved to
the telecoil/telephone program, place the telephone
handset lightly against your ear. Adjust the handset
slightly up and/or back to find the position that gives
the best sound.

Your hearing aid may have an Auto Telephone feature,
which automatically switches to the Telephone program
when a phone is placed next to your hearing aid. If the
Auto Telephone feature does not automatically engage,
the magnetic field in your phone may not be strong
enough. A small magnet was included with your hearing
aid. Place the magnet on your phone, as shown in the
instructions included with the magnet, to improve the
Auto Telephone switching.

If your hearing aid has been configured without a
telecoil option, select the program that is best for you
when using the telephone. Then position the phone
lightly against your ear as described above.

miniBTE USER GUIDE

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Warranty

Sonic will repair any defective hearing aid part within
the period covered by your warranty. Ask your hearing
healthcare provider for details. Labor and parts are
covered by this limited warranty. If your hearing aid
malfunctions, contact your hearing healthcare provider.

Accessory items, such as batteries, are not covered
under the warranty. Loss and damage due to misuse,
abuse, accidents, tampering, or negligence are
not covered under the warranty. If your hearing aid
malfunctions, it must be serviced by an authorized
Sonic service representative or your warranty may
be voided.

Note

Your hearing healthcare provider may charge a service
fee for processing warranty repairs.

Repair

Refer to the back cover of this booklet for the nearest
repair facility or, if you have any questions regarding
repairs, contact your hearing healthcare provider.

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28

Maintenance and Care

Your hearing aid needs to be cleaned daily. You can
wipe the outside surface with a soft cloth or tissue.
Always store your hearing aid inside its case when not
in use.

Important Care Tips

• Keep the hearing aid in a safe place, out of the
reach of pets and small children.

• Remove the battery when storing the hearing aid
for long periods.

• When changing the battery, work over a table
or countertop to keep the aid and battery from
dropping.

• Use a soft brush to clean difficult-to-reach areas.

• Do not drop the hearing aid.

• Do not expose to moisture or submerge in water.

• Avoid harsh temperatures, including excessive

heat.

• Avoid wearing your hearing aid while applying hair
spray.

• Consult your physician if excessive earwax, skin
irritation, or a foreign object prevents you from
wearing your hearing aid.

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Troubleshooting

If you are having trouble with your hearing aid, check
this guide to quickly find a possible solution:

Problem Solution

No Sound

Battery may be low or dead Replace battery

Start up delay is on Wait a few seconds for device to

turn on

Hearing aid may not be on Turn on the hearing aid

Volume may be turned down Move Volume Control wheel up

Battery may be wet Remove and dry battery

Sound tube or ear hook may be
blocked or tubing pinched

Clear sound port or contact
hearing healthcare provider

Not Loud Enough

Battery may be low or dead Replace battery

Volume may be turned down Move Volume Control wheel up

Hearing aid may be loose Remove and reinsert your earmold

Sound port or ear hook may be
blocked

Clear the sound port or contact
hearing healthcare provider

Program settings not optimum Contact hearing healthcare provider

You may have excessive ear wax Contact hearing healthcare provider

Your hearing has changed Contact hearing healthcare provider

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30

Problem Solution

Whistling, Feedback

Earmold or sound tube is loose

Remove and reinsert your
earmold or sound tube

You may have excessive ear wax Contact hearing healthcare provider

Earmold may not be sized properly Contact hearing healthcare provider

Vent plug may be removed Contact hearing healthcare provider

Program settings not optimum Contact hearing healthcare provider

Sound is Distorted, Not Clear

Battery may be low or dead Replace battery

There may be poor battery contact

Contact hearing healthcare provider

Program settings not optimum Contact hearing healthcare provider

Intermittent Sound

Battery may be low or dead Replace battery

Sound port may be blocked Clear sound channel or contact

hearing healthcare provider

There may be poor battery contact

Contact hearing healthcare provider

Too Much Bass

Vent may be plugged or blocked Clean vent or contact hearing

healthcare provider

Hearing aid may need
reprogramming

Contact hearing healthcare provider

Static Noise

You may be close to
electromagnetic fields (such as
digital or cellular telephones)

Move away from the field

Battery may be low or dead Replace battery

There may be poor battery contact

Contact hearing healthcare provider

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31

Warning to Hearing Aid Users

Consult your physician if excessive earwax, skin
irritation, or a foreign object prevents you from wearing
your hearing aid.

Always remove the aid while undergoing any kind of
electromagnetic treatment such as X-Rays, Magnetic
Resonance Imaging (MRI), Computerized Axial
Tomography (CAT), Electroencephalogram (EEG),
Electrocardiogram (EKG), Short Wave Diathermy, or
other electrical or magnetic treatment.

Other types of radiation (burglary alarms, room
surveillance systems, radio equipment, mobile
telephone, etc) will not damage the hearing aid. They
could, however, momentarily affect the sound quality or
create strange sounds in the hearing aids.

Do not wear the hearing aids in mines or other
explosive areas, unless those areas are certified for
hearing aid use.

Keep the hearing aids away from children under the
age of 3 since they contain small parts which may
present a choking hazard.

Special care should be exercised in selecting and
fitting a hearing aid whose maximum sound pressure
level exceeds 132 decibels because there may be risk
of impairing the remaining hearing of the hearing aid
user.

SONIC

32

Consistent use of your hearing aid is strongly
recommended. In most cases, infrequent use does not
allow you to obtain the full benefit from your aid.

Your hearing healthcare provider can also assist you in
other hearing improvement techniques. The use of a
hearing aid is only part of hearing rehabilitation. Your
hearing aid may need to be supplemented by auditory
training and instruction in speech reading. No hearing
aid completely restores normal hearing.

Compliance with Requirements for Europe

This device is in conformance with the requirements
of the Directive 93/42/EEC of the Council of the
European Communities concerning medical devices,
MDD. This is certified by applying this marking.

Declarations of conformity are available at:
Sonic Innovations, Inc.
2501 Cottontail Lane
Somerset, NJ 08873

03.13 | 4001340 | US

www.sonici.com

World Headquarters

Sonic Innovations, Inc.

2501 Cottontail Lane
Somerset, NJ 08873 USA
+ 1 888 423 7834

Canada

Sonic Innovations Canada Ltd.

2885-B le Corbusier Blvd
Laval, Québec H7L 4J5
+ 1 800 667 7664

Australia

Sonic Australia

1/10 Dorsey Street
Milton, QLD 4064, Australia
Tel: + 61 7 3368 4044
Free call (Australia only)
1800 639 263

International

Sonic AG

Morgenstrasse 131B
3018 Bern, Switzerland
+ 41 31 560 21 21

France

Sonic France

Parc des Barbanniers
3 allée des Barbanniers
CS 40006
92635 Gennevilliers cedex
[phone]

Sonic AG

Morgenstrasse 131B
3018 Bern, Switzerland
+ 41 31 560 21 21

Sonic Innovations, Inc.

2501 Cottontail Lane
Somerset, NJ 08873 USA
+ 1 888 423 7834

Germany

Sonic Hörgeräte GmbH

Nunsdorfer Ring 14
12277 Berlin
+ 49 30 24 63 28 0

Italy

Sonic Italia

Piazza delle Crociate 16
00162 Roma
+ 39 06 44 24 68 52