Unitron Latitude Shift User Manual

www.unitron.com

09-029 029-5763-02

Distributor

Latitude

™

Shift

™

Guide

Table of Contents

Your Shift™ Hearing Instruments...................................1

Overview of your Latitude™ Shift™ .............................2

Features of your Latitude™ Hearing Instrument ...........3

Putting your Hearing Instruments on Your Ears .............4

Turning your Hearing Instruments On and Off ..............5

Battery Information.........................................................6

Operating Instructions ...................................................8

Using the Telephone .....................................................10

Caring for your Hearing Instruments .............................11

Cleaning your Hearing Instruments ..............................12

Signature Features of your Latitude™ Hearing

Instruments ................................................................13

Assistive Listening Devices ...........................................14

Warnings .......................................................................15

Troubleshooting Guide..................................................18

Warning to Hearing Instrument Dispensers .................21

Your Shift™ Hearing Instruments

Hearing Healthcare Professional: _______________________

___________________________________________________

Telephone: _________________________________________

Model:_____________________________________________

Serial Number: ______________________________________

Replacement Batteries: Size 10A

Warranty: __________________________________________

Program 1 is the Automatic Program
(Available on Latitude

™

16 and 8 only)

Program 2 is the manual program for: ___________________

Program 3 is the manual program for: ___________________

Program 4 is the manual program for: ___________________

Date of Purchase: ____________________________________

1

Overview of your Latitude™ Shift™

Attachment Style (check one)

2

Legend

1 Microphone and

Microphone Shield

2 Program Button or

Volume Control
(depending on your
customized fitting)

3 Battery Door/

On & Off Switch
4 Tube
5 Dome
6 Speaker Unit
7 Shell/optimumFit xS

Shift with dome

4

5

6

2

1

3

Shift with shell

4

6

7

2

1

3

My hearing instrument has (check all that apply)

SmartFocus™ (available only through
the optional Smart Control remote)

Program Button
Push Button Volume Control

Optional Accessories (check all that apply)

Smart Control

See Smart Control User Guide for more information.

Features of your Latitude™ Hearing
Instrument

Latitude™hearing instruments come equipped with
the following features:

• Automatic listening program for Latitude 16 and 8
and 3 additional manual programs. Latitude 4 has 4
manual programs.

• Ability to adjust your personal clarity and comfort
settings via smartFocus™on the optional Smart
Control, available on Latitude 16.

It may take some time for you to fully adjust to your
new hearing instruments. In the beginning, do not feel
as though you need to wear them for longer than is
comfortable. Depending on your previous experience
with hearing instruments you can increase wearing
time gradually until you have fully adjusted to them,
and then you should wear your Latitude hearing
instruments all day every day.

Please consult your hearing healthcare professional
regarding any adjustments you may require to ensure
that you are happy with your hearing instrument. For
instance, pitch and loudness of the beeps can be
adjusted or turned off entirely. Also note that this is a
general guide and your hearing healthcare
professional may have enabled or disengaged certain
features depending on your requirements.

3

4

Putting your Hearing Instruments on
Your Ears

Your Shift hearing instruments may be color-coded red
for your right ear and blue for your left ear. This color
indicator is located inside the battery door.

Shift™ with Domes

1. Hold the tube where it attaches to the dome and
gently push the dome into your ear canal. The 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.

Shift™ with Custom Shells

1. Carefully insert the shell in your ear. The shell
should fit into your ear snugly and comfortably. The
tube should lie flush against your head and not stick
out.

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

5

Turning your Hearing Instruments On
and Off

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

ON:

To turn the hearing instrument on, close the battery
door fully. Note: It may take 5 seconds before the

hearing device turns on. Your hearing healthcare
provider can additionally increase the start up delay
if required.

OFF:

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

on off open

Battery Information

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

Low Battery Warning

When you hear two long beeps, your hearing
instruments 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
instruments.

Replacing the Battery

1. Gently swing out the

battery door.

2. Grasp the battery with

your thumb and index
finger and remove.

3. Insert the new battery into the battery

compartment matching it with the battery symbol
inside the battery door. This will ensure that the
battery door closes properly.

Note: If the battery is inserted incorrectly, your
hearing instrument will not turn on.

6

4. Close the battery door.

Caring for Batteries

• Always discard batteries in a safe and

environmentally friendly way.

• To prolong battery life, remember to turn your

hearing devices off when not in use.

• Remove the batteries and keep the battery door

open while hearing devices are not in use. This will
allow internal moisture to evaporate.

7

Operating Instructions

Push Button

Your hearing instrument is equipped with a push
button built into the back of the battery door
which has been set for switching between

programs or adjusting your volume.

Program Control

If you have an active push button program control,
each time you push the button, you will move to a new
program.

Your hearing instruments beep to indicate which
program you are in (i.e. one beep for program 1, two
beeps for program 2, etc.)

Volume Control

If your push button has been configured as a volume
control, you can adjust the volume level by pushing
the button.

Your Latitude 16 hearing instruments will learn your
volume control adjustments while the hearing

8

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

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

Program 3 (e.g. Telephone) 3 beeps

Program 4 (e.g. Music) 4 beeps

instruments are set to the automatic program, if this
feature has been enabled by your hearing healthcare
professional. Over time, the hearing instruments will
adjust the default volume settings in the automatic
program to the levels that you typically use.

Your hearing healthcare professional can help you
identify your different push button volume control
settings.

Your hearing instruments may also come with an
optional remote control which allows you to switch
between different listening programs and to adjust
your volume. Please refer to your Smart Control User
Guide for more information.

9

Volume Setting Beeps

Ideal volume level 1 beep

Increased loudness 1 beep + 1 high-pitched beep

Decreased loudness 1 beep + 1 low-pitched beep

Using the Telephone

As telephones do not all work the same, you may
experience different results from different phones. You
can use many phones by simply holding the receiver to
your ear, without the need to change to a dedicated
telephone program. Remember to move the handset
slightly up or back to find the position that sounds
best to you.

Depending on the phone type you use, your hearing
healthcare professional might have selected a
dedicated phone program on your Latitude hearing
instruments.

Consult your hearing healthcare professional if you
experience difficulties using your hearing instruments
on the phone.

10

Caring for your Hearing Instruments

• Open the battery door when not in use.

• Always remove your hearing instruments when

using hair care products. The hearing instruments
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 instruments 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 instruments to
dry naturally for 24 hours.

• Protect your hearing devices from excessive heat

(hair dryer, vehicle glove box or dashboard).

• Ensure you do not twist or squeeze the tube when

your hearing instruments are placed in their case.

• 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.

11

Cleaning your Hearing Instruments

Ear wax is natural and common. Ensuring your hearing
devices 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 or

domes.

• Do not use sharp tools to dislodge ear wax. Sticking

household items into your hearing devices can
seriously damage them.

Cleaning the Shells and Domes

Ensure your domes are free of ear wax and moisture.

To clean shells and domes:

1. Clean the domes on the outside daily with a damp

cloth. Avoid getting any water in and around the
speaker units.

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

2. If your shells require further cleaning, the speaker

waxguard may be plugged and require replacing.
See your hearing healthcare professional.

12

13

Signature Features of your Latitude™
Hearing Instruments

SmartFocus™ (available exclusively with Latitude 16)

If your Latitude 16 hearing instruments come with the
optional Smart Control remote, you may have access
to adjust the smartFocus control. It allows you to focus
on hearing speech or background noise in your
listening environment. This control provides an
additional fine tuning adjustment beyond a traditional
volume control. You can adjust your smartFocus
control to focus on speech (clarity) or soften
background noise (comfort) using the dial on the
remote control.

As you adjust smartFocus, your Latitude 16 hearing
instruments will learn your smartFocus clarity and
comfort settings while the hearing instruments are set
to the automatic program. Over time, the hearing
instruments will adjust the pre-programmed
smartFocus settings to your preferred levels.

Assistive Listening Devices

Listening in Public Places

Latitude’s telecoil can also help you
listen in public places equipped with
telecoil compatible assistive listening
devices such as a loop system. When
you see this symbol, it means that
there is a loop system installed; this
loop system is compatible with your hearing
instruments. Please contact your hearing healthcare
provider for more information on loop systems.

14

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 devices in explosion

hazard areas.

• Allergic reactions to hearing devices 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 devices for CT and MRI scans

or for other electromagnetic procedures.

• Special care should be exercised in wearing hearing

devices 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 devices is suitable
for your particular hearing loss.

15

Warning 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.

Battery Warnings

• Never leave hearing devices or batteries where

small children and pets can reach them.

• Never put hearing devices or batteries in your

mouth. If a hearing device or battery is swallowed,
call a physician immediately.

Precautions

• The use of hearing devices 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 devices, 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

16

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.

17

18

Troubleshooting Guide

CAUSE POSSIBLE REMEDY

No sound

• Not turned on

• Low/dead battery

• Poor battery contact

• Battery upside down

• Domes blocked with

ear wax

• Plugged microphone

protector

Not loud enough

• Low volume

• Low battery

• Domes not inserted

properly

• Change in hearing

• Domes blocked with

ear wax

• Plugged microphone

shield

Two long beeps

• Low battery

• Turn on

• Replace battery

• Consult your hearing healthcare professional

• Insert battery plus (+) side up

• Clean domes. See “Cleaning Your Hearing
Instrument”. 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 Hearing Instruments on
Your Ears”. Reinsert carefully.

• Consult your hearing healthcare professional

• Clean domes. See “Cleaning Your Hearing
Instrument”. Consult your hearing healthcare
professional.

• Consult your hearing healthcare professional

• Replace battery

19

Intermittent sound

• Low battery

• Dirty battery contact

Whistling

• Domes not inserted
properly

• Hand/clothing near ear

• Poorly fitting domes

Not clear, distorted

• Poorly fitting domes

• Domes blocked with
ear wax

• Low battery

• Plugged microphone
protector

Domes falling out of ear

• Poorly fitting domes

• Domes not
inserted properly

• Replace battery

• Consult your hearing healthcare professional

• Remove and reinsert carefully

• Remove hand/clothing from ear

• Consult your hearing healthcare professional

• Consult your hearing healthcare professional

• Clean domes. See “Cleaning Your Hearing
Instrument”. Consult your hearing healthcare
professional.

• Replace battery

• Consult your hearing healthcare professional

• Consult your hearing healthcare professional

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

CAUSE POSSIBLE REMEDY

20

Weak on the telephone

• Telephone not
positioned properly

• Hearing instrument
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.

• Move telephone receiver around ear for
clearer signal. See “Using the Telephone”.

• Consult your hearing healthcare professional

CAUSE POSSIBLE REMEDY

21

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 air-bone 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

22

pressure capability greater than 132 decibels (dB).]

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

23

hearing instrument to your individual needs. If you
have reservations about your ability to adapt to
amplification, you should inquire about the 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.

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

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. 78, Qi Ming Road,
Export Processing Zone District B,
Suzhou Industrial Park, P.R. 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

Ir. D.S. Tuijnmanweg 10,
4131 PN VIANEN

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

Avenida de la Industria nº13/15,
Polígono de Canastell,
03690 Sant Vicent del Raspeig.
Alicante, España

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