Unitron Indigo BTE, Indigo User Manual

Indigo

™

BTE Guide

Table of Contents

Your Indigo™ Hearing Instruments ................................1

Practical Solutions to Everyday Problems ......................2

Getting the Most Out of Your Indigo™ Hearing

Instruments..................................................................3

Using the Indigo™ BTE Guide ........................................4

Putting Your Indigo™ Hearing Instruments

on Your Ears .................................................................6

Turning Your Indigo™ Hearing Instruments

On and Off ...................................................................8

Feedback-Free Listening .................................................9

Replacing the Battery....................................................10

Operating Instructions ..................................................12

Assistive Listening Devices ...........................................18

Caring for Your Indigo™ Hearing Instruments..............21

Cleaning Your Indigo™ Hearing Instruments...............22

Warnings.......................................................................25

Troubleshooting Guide .................................................27

Warning to Hearing Instrument Dispensers ................30

1

Your Indigo

™

Hearing Instruments

Hearing Healthcare Professional: _________________________

_____________________________________________________

Telephone: ___________________________________________

Model:_______________________________________________

Serial Number: ________________________________________

Replacement Batteries: Size 13 Size 10

Warranty: ____________________________________________

Use Automatic Program for 1: Quiet

2: Group/Party Noise
3: Intense Noise
4: Music

Use Program 2 for: ____________________________________

Use Program 3 for: ____________________________________

Use Program 4 for: ____________________________________

Date of Purchase:______________________________________

2

Practical Solutions to Everyday Problems

Congratulations on choosing your new Indigo™BTE
(Behind-the-Ear) hearing instruments. For over 40 years,
Unitron Hearing has been committed to making life
better for people with hearing loss. This means a
commitment to developing high-quality hearing
solutions that incorporate special features to solve the
everyday problems and concerns you have with hearing
loss and hearing devices.

Indigo is a premium hearing instrument that delivers
superior sound quality, performance, and extraordinary
results. Indigo’s automatic program reads your listening
environment and automatically determines a sound
destination that is most effective for optimal listening as
your listening needs change throughout the day. Three
additional manual programs give you added flexibility
to meet your particular listening needs. Indigo’s
sophisticated adaptive features offer you the latest in
digital technology so your hearing devices do the
adapting without manual adjustments or fiddling
required by you.

3

Getting the Most Out of Your Indigo

™

Hearing Instruments

Adjusting to your new hearing instruments will take
some time. In the beginning it is important that you do
not use the hearing devices for longer than is
comfortable. Depending on your previous experience
with hearing instruments, a few hours a day may be
enough and then you can increase wearing time
gradually. Once you have become accustomed to your
hearing devices, you should wear them all day every day
since infrequent use will not permit you to adapt to your
hearing devices and enjoy their full benefits. The quicker
you get used to the everyday sounds around you, the
less you will notice that you are wearing hearing
instruments.

4

Using the Indigo

™

BTE Guide

Refer to the table of contents for a complete listing of
the topics covered in this guide.

There are different styles of BTEs available. The
diagrams below identify some of the components on
your hearing devices. Have your hearing healthcare
professional place a check beside the diagram that best
describes your BTE style and attachment.

slim tube
and dome

earhook and
earmold

Moda BTE BTE without

volume control

BTE with
volume control

Hearing Instrument Style (check one)

Attachment Style (check one)

5

Legend

1 Earhook
2 Microphone and Microphone

Shield
3 Program Button
4 Volume Control
5 Battery Door/

On & Off Switch

6 Slim tube
7 Dome
8 Retention Piece
9 Program Button or

Volume Control (depending
on your customized fitting)

10 Earmold

1

6

2

2

9

3

4
5

5

7

8

10

1

2
9

5

10

Putting Your Indigo

™

Hearing Instruments

on Your Ears

BTEs with Slim Tubes

1. Hold the slim tube where it attaches to the dome and
gently push the dome into your ear canal. The slim
tube should lie flush against your head and not stick
out.

2. Place the hearing instrument over the top of your ear.

3. Place the retention piece in your ear so it rests at the
bottom of the opening of your ear canal.

4. Repeat steps 1-3 for your other ear if you wear two
hearing devices.

6

7

BTEs with Earhooks

1. Carefully insert the earmold in your ear. The earmold
should fit into your ear snugly and comfortably.

2. Place the hearing instrument over the top of your ear.

3. Repeat steps 1-2 for your other ear if you wear two
hearing devices.

8

Turning Your Indigo™Hearing Instruments On
and Off

Your hearing devices have a three-position battery door
that acts as an off/on switch and that allows access to
the battery compartment.

To turn the hearing device on, close the battery door
fully. Note: If the start up delay is activated, your hearing

devices will not turn on for 10-15 seconds after closing
the battery door.

To turn the hearing device off, partially open the battery
door. This position allows excess moisture to vent away
from the battery compartment.

To replace the hearing device battery, fully open the
battery door for access to the battery compartment.

Note: When turning your hearing device on and
off, grasp the top and bottom of the device with
your index finger and thumb. Use your thumb to
open and close the battery door. If you are
wearing Moda hearing devices, use your index
finger to open and close the battery door.

on off open

9

Feedback-Free Listening

Your Indigo hearing devices have an optional start up
delay that can be activated by your hearing healthcare
professional. If the start up delay is activated, your
hearing devices will not turn on for 10-15 seconds even if
the battery door is closed fully. The hearing devices
return to the start up delay position each time you turn
your hearing devices on. This allows you to insert your
hearing devices without experiencing whistling.

If you wear hearing instruments now, you may have
experienced whistling from your hearing instruments
when you talk, chew, use the telephone or hug
someone. Indigo’s feedback technology dramatically
reduces this uncomfortable whistling before you or
anyone else can perceive it.

10

Replacing the Battery

1. Gently swing out the battery
door with your fingernail.

2. Grasp the battery with your
thumb and index finger and
remove.

3. Insert the new battery into the
battery compartment with the
plus (+) sign on the battery
facing the same way as the plus
(+) sign on the edge of the
battery door. This will ensure
that the battery door closes
properly.

Note: If the battery is inserted
incorrectly, the door will not close.

4. Close the battery door.

Plus (+)
Signs

Plus (+)
Signs

Low Battery Warning

When you hear two long beeps, your hearing devices are
warning you that their batteries are low. You will hear the
warning approximately every 30 minutes until you
change the batteries or the batteries die. After the first
warning, you may experience some reduction in sound
quality. This is normal and can be remedied by inserting
fresh batteries in the hearing devices. If you prefer, your
hearing healthcare professional can change the pitch
and loudness of the low battery beep or turn it off
entirely.

Caring for Batteries

• Always discard batteries carefully.

• To prolong battery life, remember to turn your hearing
instruments off when not in use.

• Remove the batteries and keep the battery door open
while hearing instruments are not in use. This will
allow internal moisture to evaporate.

Battery Warnings

• Never leave hearing instruments or batteries where
small children and pets can reach them.

• Never put hearing instruments or batteries in your
mouth. If a hearing instrument or battery is
swallowed, call a physician immediately.

11

Operating Instructions

Changing Programs on Your Indigo™Hearing
Instruments

Your Indigo hearing instruments have an automatic
program and up to three additional manual programs.
Indigo’s automatic program will satisfy most of your
listening needs by adjusting to different listening
environments without requiring manual adjustments. Up
to three additional manual programs can be individually
tailored by your hearing healthcare professional to meet
your particular listening needs.

Your hearing instruments may come equipped with a
push button which has been set for switching between
programs or adjusting your volume. This push button
could also be disabled by your hearing healthcare
professional. If you have an active push button program
control, each time you push the button, you will move to
a new program.

Program Beeps

Your hearing instruments beep to indicate which program

Program 1 (i.e. Automatic Program) 1 beep

Program 2 (i.e. Group/Party Noise) 2 beeps

Program 3 (i.e. Easy-t/Telephone) 3 beeps

Program 4 (i.e. Music) 4 beeps

Easy-t/Telephone short melody

12

13

you are in (i.e. one beep for program 1, two beeps for
program 2, etc.) If you prefer, your hearing healthcare
professional can adjust the pitch and loudness of the
program beep or turn it off entirely.

Adjusting the Volume

The volume on your hearing devices adjusts automatically
in response to the loud or quiet sounds around you. Your
hearing instruments are set to your ideal volume by
default. Your ideal volume is indicated by 1 beep. If you
have a push button volume control or a manual volume
control, you can further adjust the volume.

Push Button Volume Control

Volume Beeps

Your ideal volume is indicated by 1 beep. If you adjust
your volume, you will hear two beeps:

• One beep and one high-pitched beep indicates you
have increased your volume.

• One beep and one low-pitched beep indicates you
have decreased your volume.

Your hearing healthcare professional can help you

Volume Setting Beep

Ideal 1 beep

Increased loudness 1 beep + 1 high-pitched beep

Decreased loudness 1 beep + 1 low-pitched beep

14

identify your different volume settings if required. If you
prefer, your hearing healthcare professional can adjust
the pitch and loudness of the volume beep or turn it off
entirely.

Manual Rotary Volume Control

The manual volume control is numbered one to four. One
indicates that the volume is at the minimum level and
four indicates that the volume is at the maximum level.
Rotate the volume control upward to increase the
volume or downward to decrease the volume. Note that
your volume control may be disabled by your hearing
healthcare professional and, therefore, could be inactive.

Before changing the volume on your hearing devices,
secure the device on your ear with your index finger and
thumb. Then using your thumb, rotate the volume
control up or down.

Listening in Windy Environments

Indigo’s wind noise manager will engage automatically
based on whether wind conditions are moderate or high.
When the wind noise manager is engaged, sounds such
as speech, may become quieter because the wind noise
manager is working to reduce the loud noise produced
by wind. When you are no longer in a windy
environment, the wind noise manager will not be active
and desirable sounds, such as speech, will once again
become louder.

15

Listening in Quiet and Noisy Environments

Your Indigo hearing devices have a directional
microphone system to meet your listening needs in
different environments. The directional system focuses
on sounds in front of you (i.e., speech) while reducing
sounds from the sides or behind you (i.e., noise). The
directional system can be set to track moving noise
sources and adapt to changing noise levels so that
background noise is reduced. Your hearing healthcare
professional can tell you how your directional system has
been customized for you and which listening programs
have the directional microphones activated.

In addition, Indigo contains technology that identifies and
minimizes sudden impulse sounds that many hearing
device wearers find irritatingly loud such as slamming
doors or clattering dishes. This technology is designed to
increase listening comfort in adverse listening situations
without impacting sound quality or your ability to
understand conversations.

Replacing the Microphone Protectors

Your Indigo hearing devices have a shield to protect the
microphones from dirt and debris. Debris on the
microphone protector reduces the sound quality of the
instrument. You should have the microphone protectors
replaced by your hearing healthcare professional
approximately every three months to ensure optimal
sound quality.

16

Using Indigo™with the Telephone

Indigo has the ability, depending on hearing loss, vent
size and style of hearing instrument to provide feedback­free phone use without program changes. When the
phone rings, pick up the telephone and place it in front
of your hearing instrument’s microphone. In some
situations when using a cell phone, you may experience
digital interference that sounds like static, buzzing or
beeping. If you experience interference, increase the
distance between your hearing instrument and the
phone receiver.

Easy-t for the Telephone or Cell/Mobile Phone

Indigo can also come equipped with an optional easy-t
(automatic telephone switch) that can help you listen on
the telephone. Easy-t automatically switches your
hearing instrument into a telephone listening mode with
hearing instrument compatible phones. You will hear a
short melody to indicate you are in the telephone (easy­t) program. If your phone is hearing instrument
compatible, it will have a magnetic coil and the easy-t
will activate automatically when the telephone is held to
the ear. Once the telephone is removed from the ear, the
hearing instrument will switch back to the normal
listening mode. Since the location and strength of the
magnetic coil varies among phone manufacturers, it may
be necessary to move the telephone receiver in front of
the hearing instrument’s microphone for the best

reception. If the hearing instrument does not switch to
the telephone program automatically when the telephone
receiver is placed in proximity, the magnet for easy-t
hearing instruments should be attached to the telephone
receiver. The magnet is designed to strengthen the
magnetic field at the ear piece of hearing instrument
compatible telephones.

To affix the easy-t magnet:

1. Clean the telephone receiver.

2. Hold the magnet near the “listening end” of your
telephone receiver and release it (Figure 1). The
magnet will flip to the appropriate side and seek the
optimal position on the telephone receiver.

3. Place the double-sided tape in this optimal position on
the telephone receiver (Figure 2) and attach the
magnet to the tape (Figure 3).

Warnings

• Be sure the magnet is securely affixed to the
telephone.

17

Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3

18

• Keep loose magnets out of reach of children and pets.

• If the magnet falls into your ear, contact your hearing
healthcare professional.

• If the magnet is swallowed, contact your physician
immediately.

• The magnet may affect some medical devices or
electronic systems. Always keep the magnet (or the
telephone equipped with the magnet) at least 30 cm
(12”) away from pacemakers, credit cards, floppy
disks or other magnetically sensitive devices.

• Too high distortion during dialing or phoning may
mean that the phone handset is stressed by the
magnet. To avoid any damage, please move the
magnet to another place on the telephone receiver.

Assistive Listening Devices

Listening in Public Places

Indigo’s optional telecoil can also help you listen in
public places equipped with telecoil compatible assistive
listening devices such as a loop system. If your hearing
instruments do not operate when the telecoil is on, the
loop system may not be operating or you may be in a
“dead” spot. Try positioning yourself in a different part
of the looped area or return your hearing instruments to
the microphone position and sit as close to the speaker
as possible.

19

Connecting to External Audio Sources

Your Indigo hearing devices may feature
optional direct audio input (DAI) to connect
to other audio sources such as a stereo or
television. You will need to purchase the
direct audio input system and a connector
cord from your hearing healthcare professional before
you can connect to external audio sources.

DAI can also be used to fit your hearing instruments with
an assistive listening device, such as an FM system,
which you may purchase to improve listening in difficult
situations.

Note: If your hearing instruments are the small BTE style
that requires size 10 batteries (Moda), your hearing
instruments are not compatible with direct audio input,
MicroLink MLx or an FM system. However, hearing
instruments that use size 13 batteries are compatible.
Refer to your battery package for the size of your
hearing instrument batteries or consult with your
hearing healthcare professional for more information.

Listening Over Distance

Your Indigo hearing instruments may be compatible with
Phonak’s MicroLink™Receiver Module, a wireless FM
system that improves listening over distance. The MLx
FM receiver module connects to the direct audio input
system and is powered by the hearing instrument
battery.

20

Using FM and Infrared Systems

Some FM systems consist of a teleloop worn around the
neck, which is connected to the FM receiver worn on a
belt or in a shirt pocket. To listen through the FM system,
select the telecoil program and turn on the FM receiver.
To keep the signal clear, you may need to adjust the
volume control on your hearing instruments, as well as
on the FM receiver.

With some infrared systems you may need to remove
your hearing instruments and wear the system’s headset
receiver. If the volume on the infrared receiver is not loud
enough, use your hearing instruments instead.

See also “Connecting to External Audio Sources.”

21

Caring for Your Indigo

™

Hearing

Instruments

• Open the battery door when not in use.

• Always remove your hearing devices when using hair
care products. The hearing devices can become
clogged and cease to function properly.

• Do not wear your hearing devices in the bath or
shower or immerse them in water.

• If your hearing devices do become wet, do not
attempt to dry them in an oven or microwave. Do not
adjust any controls. Open the battery doors
immediately, and allow your hearing devices to dry
naturally for 24 hours.

• Protect your hearing devices from excessive heat (hair
dryer, vehicle glove box or dashboard).

• Regular use of a dehumidifier, such as a Dri-Aid kit,
can help prevent corrosion. See your hearing
healthcare professional for more information.

• Do not drop your hearing devices or knock them
against hard surfaces.

22

Cleaning Your Indigo

™

Hearing

Instruments

Ear wax is natural and common. Ensuring your hearing
devices, earmolds and domes are free of ear wax is an
important step in your daily cleaning and maintenance
routine.

• Never use alcohol to clean your hearing devices,
earmolds or domes.

• Do not use sharp tools to dislodge ear wax. Sticking
household items into your hearing devices or
earmolds can seriously damage them.

Cleaning the Earmolds and Domes

Ensure your earmolds and domes are free of ear wax and
moisture.

BTEs with Earhooks and Earmolds

If your Indigo hearing devices have earhooks (see “Using
the Indigo BTE Guide”), your hearing healthcare
professional fit you with customized earmolds (see
“Using the Indigo BTE Guide”). Earmolds send amplified
sound from the hearing devices into the ears. They must

23

fit into your ears snugly and comfortably. If amplified
sound leaks out of your ear, you may hear whistling.

Always ensure earmolds are clean and free of ear wax
and moisture. Do not use alcohol to clean your earmolds.
If the earmolds become plugged, clear the opening with a
wax loop or pipe cleaner. If your physician prescribes
eardrops, clean any moisture that may get into the
earmolds or tubing to prevent plugging.

Cleaning the Earmolds

If the earmolds attach to an earhook and they require
further cleaning, disconnect the plastic tube from the
hook of the hearing devices. Wash only the earmolds in
warm water with a mild soap. Rinse them with cool water
and allow them to dry overnight. Make sure the earmold
tubes are dry before reconnecting them to each hook on
your hearing devices.

BTEs with Slim Tubes and Domes

If your hearing instruments have slim tubes (see “Using
the Indigo BTE Guide”), you need to ensure that the
tubes and domes are free of ear wax and moisture. You
should have the slim tubes and domes replaced by your
hearing healthcare professional approximately every

24

three to six months or when they become stiff or brittle.
Clean the domes daily with a damp cloth. You should also
clean the slim tubes periodically, with the cleaning pin
provided, when you begin to notice debris in and around
the tubes.

Cleaning the Slim Tubes and Domes:

1. Hold the slim tube in one hand and the hearing
instrument in the other hand.

2. Gently turn the hearing instrument until it detaches
from the slim tube.

3. Use a damp cloth to clean the outside of the slim tube
and the dome.

4. Using the black cleaning pin
provided in the kit, gently
insert the cleaning pin where
the slim tube attaches to the
hearing instrument and push
the pin all the way through the
tube and out through the
dome.

Note: The slim tubes and domes should never be rinsed
or submerged in water as water drops may become
lodged in the tube, block sound or damage the electrical
components of the hearing instrument.

5. Once the slim tube has been cleaned, reattach it by
gently turning the hearing instrument onto the slim tube.

25

Warnings

• Hearing devices should only be used as directed by
your physician or hearing healthcare professional.

• Hearing devices will not restore normal hearing and
will not prevent or improve a hearing impairment
resulting from organic conditions.

• Do not use your hearing instruments in explosion
hazard areas.

• Allergic reactions to hearing instruments are unlikely.
However, if you experience itching, redness, soreness,
inflammation or a burning sensation in or around
your ears, inform your hearing healthcare
professional and contact your physician.

• In the unlikely case that any parts remain in the ear
canal after the removal of the hearing instrument,
contact a physician immediately.

• Remove your hearing instruments for CT and MRI
scans or for other electromagnetic procedures.

• Only plug the DAI cables into devices that produce
safe voltages of less than 3 volts.

• Special care should be exercised in wearing hearing
instruments when maximum sound pressure levels
exceed 132 decibels. There may be a risk of impairing
your remaining hearing. Speak with your hearing
healthcare professional to ensure the maximum
output of your hearing instruments is suitable for
your particular hearing loss.

26

Note to hearing healthcare professional

Domes should never be fitted on patients with
perforated eardrums, exposed middle ear cavities, or
surgically altered ear canals. In the case of such a
condition, we recommend to use a customized ear mold.

Precautions

• The use of hearing instruments is only part of hearing
rehabilitation; auditory training and lip reading
instruction may be required as well.

• In most cases, infrequent use of hearing devices does
not provide full benefit. Once you have become
accustomed to your hearing instruments, wear your
hearing devices everyday all day.

• Your hearing devices use the most modern
components to provide the best possible sound
quality in every listening situation. However,
communication devices such as digital cell phones
can create interference (a buzzing sound) in hearing
devices. If you experience interference from a cell
phone being used close by, you can minimize this
interference in a number of ways. Switch your hearing
devices to another program, turn your head in a
different direction or locate the cell phone and move
away from it.

Labeling

The serial number and year of manufacture are located
inside the battery door.

27

Troubleshooting Guide

CAUSE POSSIBLE REMEDY

No sound

• Not turned on

• Low/dead battery

• Poor battery contact

• Battery upside down

• Earmolds/slim tubes/

domes blocked with
ear wax

• Plugged microphone

protector

Not loud enough

• Low volume

• Low battery

• Earmolds/slim tubes/

domes not inserted
properly

• Change in hearing

• Earmolds/slim tubes/

domes blocked with
ear wax

• Plugged microphone

shield

• Turn on

• Replace battery

• Consult your hearing healthcare professional

• Insert battery plus (+) side up

• Clean earmolds/domes. See “Cleaning the
Earmolds and Domes”. Use cleaning pin to
dislodge ear wax in slim tubes. Consult your
hearing healthcare professional.

• Consult your hearing healthcare
professional

• Turn up volume; see hearing healthcare
professional for models without a manual
volume control or if problem persists.

• Replace battery

• See “Putting Your Indigo Hearing Instruments
on Your Ears”. Reinsert carefully.

• Consult your hearing healthcare professional

• Clean earmolds. See “Cleaning the Earmolds
and Domes”. Use cleaning pin to dislodge ear
wax in slim tubes. Consult your hearing
healthcare professional.

• Consult your hearing healthcare
professional

28

Intermittent

• Low battery

• Dirty battery contact

Two long beeps

• Low battery

Whistling

• Earmolds/slim tubes/
domes not inserted
properly

• Hand/clothing near ear

• Poorly fitting earmolds/
slim tubes/domes

Not clear, distorted

• Poorly fitting earmolds/
slim tubes

• Earmolds/slim tubes/
domes blocked with
ear wax

• Low battery

• Plugged microphone
protector

• Replace battery

• Consult your hearing healthcare professional

• Replace battery

• Remove and reinsert carefully

• Remove hand/clothing from ear

• Consult your hearing healthcare professional

• Consult your hearing healthcare professional

• Clean earmolds. See “Cleaning the Earmolds
and Domes”. Use cleaning pin to dislodge ear
wax in slim tubes. Consult your hearing
healthcare professional.

• Replace battery

• Consult your hearing healthcare
professional

CAUSE POSSIBLE REMEDY

29

Earmolds/slim tubes/domes falling out of ear

• Poorly fitting earmolds/
slim tubes/domes

• Earmolds/slim tubes/
domes not inserted
properly

“Motorboating”

• Low battery

• Dirty battery contact

Weak on the telephone

• Telephone not
positioned properly

• Hearing device requires
adjustment

For any problems not listed in the guide, contact your hearing healthcare
professional. If you do not have a hearing healthcare professional, please
contact the nearest office listed on the back page of this booklet.

• Consult your hearing healthcare professional

• See “Putting Your Indigo Hearing
Instruments on Your Ears”.
Reinsert carefully.

• Replace battery

• Consult your hearing healthcare professional

• Move telephone receiver around ear for
clearer signal. See “Using Indigo with the
Telephone” and “Easy-t for the Telephone
or Cell/Mobile Phone”.

• Consult your hearing healthcare professional

CAUSE POSSIBLE REMEDY

30

Warning to Hearing Instrument
Dispensers

A hearing instrument dispenser should advise a
prospective hearing instrument user to consult promptly
with a licensed physician (preferably an ear specialist)
before dispensing a hearing instrument if the hearing
instrument dispenser determines through inquiry, actual
observation, or review of any other available information
concerning the prospective user, that the prospective
user has any of the following conditions: (i) Visible
congenital or traumatic deformity of the ear. (ii) History of
active drainage from the ear within the previous 90 days.
(iii) History of sudden or rapidly progressive hearing loss
within the previous 90 days. (iv) Acute or chronic
dizziness. (v) Unilateral hearing loss of sudden or recent
onset within the previous 90 days. (vi) Audiometric air­bone gap equal to or greater than 15 decibels at 500
hertz (Hz), 1,000 Hz, and 2,000 Hz. (vii) Visible evidence
of significant cerumen accumulation or a foreign body in
the ear canal. (viii) Pain or discomfort in the ear. Special
care should be exercised in selecting and fitting a hearing
instrument whose maximum sound pressure level
exceeds 132 decibels because there may be risk of
impairing the remaining hearing of the hearing
instrument user. [This provision is required only for those
hearing instruments with a maximum sound pressure
capability greater than 132 decibels (dB).]

31

Important Notice for Prospective Hearing
Instrument Users

Good health practice requires that a person with a
hearing loss have a medical evaluation by a licensed
physician (preferably a physician who specializes in
diseases of the ear) before purchasing a hearing
instrument.

Licensed physicians who specialize in diseases of the ear
are often referred to as otolaryngologists, otologists or
otorhinolaryngologists. The purpose of medical
evaluation is to assure that all medically treatable
conditions that may affect hearing are identified and
treated before the hearing instrument is purchased.
Following the medical evaluation, the physician will give
you a written statement that states that your hearing
loss has been medically evaluated and that you may be
considered a candidate for a hearing instrument. The
physician will refer you to an audiologist or a hearing
instrument dispenser, as appropriate, for a hearing
instrument evaluation. The audiologist or hearing
instrument dispenser will conduct a hearing instrument
evaluation to assess your ability to hear with and
without a hearing instrument. The hearing instrument
evaluation will enable the audiologist or dispenser to
select and fit a hearing instrument to your individual
needs. If you have reservations about your ability to
adapt to amplification, you should inquire about the

32

availability of a trial-rental or purchase-option program.
Many hearing instrument dispensers now offer programs
that permit you to wear a hearing instrument for a
period of time for a nominal fee after which you may
decide if you want to purchase the hearing instrument.
Federal law restricts the sale of hearing instruments to
those individuals who have obtained a medical
evaluation from a licensed physician. Federal law
permits a fully informed adult to sign a waiver statement
declining the medical evaluation for religious or personal
beliefs that preclude consultation with a physician. The
exercise of such a waiver is not in your best health
interest and its use is strongly discouraged.

Children With Hearing Loss

In addition to seeing a physician for a medical
evaluation, a child with a hearing loss should be directed
to an audiologist for evaluation and rehabilitation since
hearing loss may cause problems in language
development and the educational and social growth of a
child. An audiologist is qualified by training and
experience to assist in the evaluation and rehabilitation
of a child with a hearing loss.

Australia

Level 2, Norwest Quay, 21 Solent
Circuit, Baulkham Hills, NSW, NSW
2153

Belgium

Baron de Vironlaan, 60
b-1700 Dilbeek

Canada

20 Beasley Drive, P.O. Box 9017,
Kitchener, ON N2G 4X1

China

No. 200 Suhong Road, Export
Processing Zone 4D, Suzhou
Industrial Park 215021

Denmark

Nitivej 10, DK-2000 Frederiksberg

European Representative

Daimlerstrasse 22, 70736
Fellbach-Oeffingen, Germany

France

5, rue Maryse Bastié - BP 15 69671
Bron Cedex, France

Netherlands

Archimedesbaan 19, P.O. Box 1214,
3430 BE Nieuwegein

New Zealand

10/215 Rosedale Rd., M277 Private
Bag, 300987, Albany, Auckland

Norway

Brugata 14 0186
Oslo, Norway

South Africa

First Floor – Selborne House,
Fourways Golf Park, Roos Street,
Fourways, Johannesburg

Spain

Urb. El Palmeral Bl. IX, 17-27
Alicate, Spain -- 03008

Sweden

Förmansvägen 2, 4 tr
SE-11743, Stockholm, Sweden

United Kingdom

St. George House, Cygnet Court,
Centre Park, Warrington, Cheshire
WA1 1PD

U.S.A.

Suite A, 2300 Berkshire Lane North,
Plymouth, MN 55441

Manufacturer

Unitron Hearing Ltd.

20 Beasley Drive, P.O. Box 9017, Kitchener, ON N2G 4X1 Canada

Unitron Hearing Distributors

Corporate Office/International

20 Beasley Drive, P.O. Box 9017, Kitchener, ON N2G 4X1 Canada

Distributor

E/08-039 029-5618-02 Printed in Canada

www.unitronhearing.com