Unitron Next ITE series User Manual

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Next
TM
ITE Guide
Page 2
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Table of Contents
Your Next™Hearing Instruments .....................................1
Practical Solutions to Everyday Problems ......................2
Getting the Most Out of Your Next
™
Hearing
Instruments..................................................................3
Using the Next™ITE Guide ..............................................4
Turning Your Next
™
Hearing Instruments On and Off .....6
Inserting and Removing ITE and CIC Hearing
Instruments..................................................................7
Feedback-Free Listening .................................................8
Replacing the Battery .....................................................9
Operating Instructions ITE and CIC................................11
Caring for Your Next
™
Hearing Instruments..................20
Cleaning Your Next
™
Hearing Instruments ....................21
Warnings.......................................................................22
Troubleshooting Guide .................................................24
Warning to Hearing Instrument Dispensers ................26
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Your Next
™
Hearing Instruments
Hearing Healthcare Professional: _________________________
_____________________________________________________
Telephone: ___________________________________________
Model:_______________________________________________
Serial Number: ________________________________________
Replacement Batteries: Size 10 Size 312 Size 13
Warranty: ____________________________________________
Program 1 is the Automatic Program (Available on Next 16 and Next 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:______________________________________
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Practical Solutions to Everyday Problems
Congratulations on choosing Next™ITE (In-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 instruments.
Next is an innovative hearing instrument that delivers exceptional sound quality, performance, and results. Your Next hearing instrument may include an automatic program that 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. Up to 3 optional manual programs give you added flexibility to meet your particular listening needs. Next’s sophisticated adaptive features offer you the latest technology so your hearing instrument will adapt, leading to a more personalized experience.
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Getting the Most Out of Your Next
™
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 instruments 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 instruments, you should wear them all day everyday since frequent use will help you adapt to your hearing instruments 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.
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Using the Next
™
ITE Guide
Refer to the table of contents for a complete listing of the topics covered in this guide.
Use the diagram on the next page to identify some of the components on your hearing instruments. Because each instrument is custom-designed and molded to fit an individual ear, the physical appearance and exact positioning on your hearing instruments may vary slightly from those shown. Have your hearing healthcare professional place a check beside the diagram that best describes your ITE style.
My hearing instrument has
(check all that apply)
Comfort-Clarity Balance Program Button Volume Control Push Button Volume Control
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Legend
1 Microphone 2 Program Button or Push Button Volume Control
(depending on your customized fitting)
3 Volume Control or Comfort-Clarity Balance
(depending on your customized fitting) 4 Battery Door 5 Vent 6 Removal Handle
4
3
5
2
1
4
3
5
2
1
Full Shell
Half Shell
Canal
Mini Canal
Completely-in-the-Canal (CIC)
4
3
5
2
1
1
4
3
5
2
1
4
5
6
2
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Turning Your Next
™
Hearing Instruments
On and Off
To turn your hearing instruments on, close the battery door. Note: If the start up delay is activated, your
hearing instruments will not turn on for 10-15 seconds after closing the battery door.
To turn your hearing instruments off, open the battery door or remove the battery.
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Inserting and Removing ITE and CIC Hearing Instruments
ITE and CIC hearing instruments are color-coded red for the right ear and blue for the left ear. The color is indicated either on the shell or on a label on the hearing instrument.
To insert ITEs and CICs:
1. Hold the hearing instrument between your thumb and index finger with the battery door away from your ear.
2. If your hearing instrument is a CIC, insert by holding the hearing instrument with the removal handle at the bottom.
3. Gently insert the canal portion of the hearing instrument into your ear using your index finger to push back and tuck the hearing instrument completely into place.
To remove ITEs and CICs:
1. If your hearing instrument is a CIC, gently pull on the removal handle. To remove ITE hearing instruments, grasp the instrument with your thumb and index finger.
2. Move your jaw up and down or apply pressure to the back of your ear to help loosen the instrument.
Note: Never use the volume control, program button or the battery door to remove your hearing instruments.
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Feedback-Free Listening
Your Next 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 after you close the battery door. 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 devices now, you may have experienced whistling from your hearing devices when you talk, chew, use the telephone or hug someone. Next’s feedback technology dramatically reduces this uncomfortable whistling before you or anyone else can perceive it.
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Replacing the Battery
1. Gently swing out the battery compartment 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.
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
Plus (+) Signs
Plus (+) Signs
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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.
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.
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Operating Instructions ITE and CIC
Changing Programs on Your Next™Hearing Devices
Your Next hearing instruments have an automatic program and up to three additional manual programs. Next’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.
Your Next hearing instruments may also come with an optional remote control which allows you to switch between different listening programs. Ask your hearing healthcare professional for more information on the remote control.
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Program Beeps
Your hearing instruments beep to indicate which program 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 instruments 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 volume control rotary dial, you can further adjust the volume.
Your Next hearing instruments may also come with an optional remote control which allows you to adjust your volume levels. Ask your hearing healthcare professional for more information on the remote control.
Program 1 (e.g. Automatic Program) 1 beep
Program 2 (e.g. Group/Party Noise) 2 beeps
Program 3 (e.g. Easy-t/Telephone) 3 beeps
Program 4 (e.g. Music) 4 beeps
Easy-t/Telephone short melody
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Push Button Volume Control
If your push button has been configured as a volume control, you can adjust the volume level by pushing the button. Note that your volume control may be disabled by your hearing healthcare professional and, therefore, could be inactive.
As you change the volume level, your hearing instrument will beep. Please refer to the chart below to learn more about the different volume beeps.
Your hearing healthcare professional can help you identify your different push button volume control settings. If you prefer, your hearing healthcare professional can adjust the pitch and loudness of the push button volume control beeps or turn them off entirely.
Volume Control
As you change the volume level with your rotary or scroll volume control, your hearing instruments will beep.
Volume Setting Beeps
Ideal volume level 1 beep
Increased loudness 1 beep + 1 high-pitched beep
Decreased loudness 1 beep + 1 low-pitched beep
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Please refer to the chart below to learn more about the different volume beeps.
Your hearing healthcare professional can help you identify your different volume control settings. If you prefer, your hearing healthcare professional can adjust the pitch and loudness of the volume control beeps or turn them off entirely.
Rotary Volume Control
If the rotary dial has been configured as a volume control, rotate the volume control slowly forward towards your nose to increase the volume or slowly backward away from your nose to decrease the volume. Note that your volume control may be disabled by your hearing healthcare professional and, therefore, could be inactive.
Scroll Volume Control
If the scroll volume control has been configured as a volume control, turn the volume control slowly upward towards the ceiling to increase the volume, or slowly downward towards the floor to decrease the volume. Note that your volume control may be disabled by your
Volume Setting Beep
Ideal volume level 1 beep
Maximum volume level 2 beeps
Minimum volume level 2 beeps
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hearing healthcare professional, and therefore, could be inactive.
Adjusting the Comfort-Clarity
(Available on Next 16 only) With a Next 16 hearing instrument, you can also manage
the levels of speech and background noise in your listening environment via the Comfort-Clarity Balance. This control provides an additional sound refinement option beyond a traditional volume control. If your hearing healthcare professional has enabled the Comfort-Clarity Balance, you can adjust your comfort­clarity levels using the rotary dial on your hearing instruments.
Your Next hearing instruments may also come with an optional remote control which may allow you to adjust your comfort-clarity levels. Ask your hearing healthcare professional for more information on the remote control.
Comfort-Clarity Balance
(Available on Next 16 only) If the rotary dial on your hearing instruments has been
configured as a Comfort-Clarity Balance, rotate the dial slowly forward towards your nose to increase clarity of sounds, such as speech. For greater comfort in noisy listening situations, slowly rotate the dial backwards away from your nose.
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As you change the comfort-clarity level, your hearing instruments will beep. Please refer to the chart below to learn more about the different comfort-clarity beeps.
Note: As the Comfort-Clarity Balance moves toward the midpoint position, the effect on sound is minimized.
Your hearing healthcare professional can help you identify your different Comfort-Clarity Balance settings. If you prefer, your hearing healthcare professional can adjust the pitch and loudness of the Comfort-Clarity Balance beeps or turn them off entirely.
Listening in Windy Environments
(Available on Next 16, Next 8 and Next 4 only) Next’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 the 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.
Comfort-Clarity Settings Beep
Maximum clarity level 2 beeps
Maximum comfort level 2 beeps
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Listening in Quiet and Noisy Environments
Your Next hearing instruments may 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, Next contains antiShock™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.
Using Next™with the Telephone
Next has the ability, depending on hearing loss, vent size and style of hearing device to provide feedback-free phone use without program changes. For many wearers this means, when the phone rings, all you have to do is pick up the telephone and hold it to your ear normally. In some situations when using a cell phone, you may experience digital interference that sounds like static,
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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
Next 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 (easy-t) program. If your phone is hearing instrument compatible, it will have a magnetic coil and 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 slightly to find the best reception. If the hearing instrument does not switch to 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.
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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.
• Keep loose magnets out of reach of children and pets.
• If magnet falls into your ear, contact your hearing healthcare professional.
• If 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.
Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3
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• 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.
Caring for Your Next
™
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 instruments 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 and prolong the life of your hearing instruments. See your hearing healthcare professional for more information.
• Do not drop your hearing instruments or knock them against hard surfaces.
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Cleaning Your Next
™
Hearing Instruments
Ear wax is natural and common. Ensuring your hearing instruments are free of ear wax is an important step in your daily cleaning and maintenance routine.
• Using the brush that was provided with your hearing instruments, clean ear wax from your hearing instruments everyday.
• Never use alcohol to clean your hearing instruments.
• Do not use sharp tools to dislodge ear wax. Sticking household items into your hearing instruments can seriously damage them.
• Talk to your hearing healthcare professional about regular appointments to have the wax removed from your hearing instruments.
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Warnings
• Hearing instruments should only be used as directed by your physician or hearing healthcare professional.
• Hearing instruments 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.
• 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.
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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 instruments does not provide full benefit. Once you have become accustomed to your hearing instruments, wear your hearing instruments everyday all day.
• Your hearing instruments 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 instruments. 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 instruments to another program, turn your head in a different direction or locate the cell phone and move away from it.
Labeling
For most ITE hearing instruments, the year of manufacture is located above the serial number. The first two digits indicate the year of manufacture.
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Troubleshooting Guide
CAUSE POSSIBLE REMEDY
No sound
• Not turned on
• Low/dead battery
• Poor battery contact
• Battery upside down
• Hearing instruments
blocked with ear wax
Not loud enough
• Low volume
• Low battery
• Hearing instruments not
inserted properly
• Change in hearing
• Hearing instruments
blocked with ear wax
Intermittent
• Low battery
• Dirty battery contact
Two long beeps
• Low battery
• Turn on
• Replace battery
• Consult your hearing healthcare professional
• Insert battery plus (+) side up
• Refer to section “Cleaning Your Next Hearing Instruments”. 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
• Reinsert carefully. See “Inserting and Removing ITE and CIC Hearing Instruments”.
• Consult your hearing healthcare professional
• Refer to section “Cleaning Your Next Hearing Instruments”. Consult your hearing health­care professional.
• Replace battery
• Consult your hearing healthcare professional
• Replace battery
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Whistling
• Hearing instruments not inserted properly
• Volume too loud
• Hand/clothing near ear
• Poorly fitting hearing instruments
Not clear, distorted
• Poorly fitting hearing instruments
• Hearing instruments blocked with ear wax
• Change in hearing
• Low battery
Weak on the telephone
• Low volume
• 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.
• Remove and reinsert
• Turn down volume
• Remove hand/clothing from ear
• Consult your hearing healthcare professional
• Consult your hearing healthcare professional
• Refer to section “Cleaning Your Next Hearing Instruments”. Consult your hearing healthcare professional.
• Consult your hearing healthcare professional
• Replace battery
• Turn up volume
• Move telephone around ear for clearer signal. See “Using Next with the Telephone” and “Easy-t for the Telephone or Cell/Mobile Phone”.
• Consult your hearing healthcare professional
CAUSE POSSIBLE REMEDY
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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).]
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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
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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.
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Manufacturer
Unitron Hearing Ltd.
20 Beasley Drive, P.O. Box 9017, Kitchener, ON N2G 4X1 Canada
Unitron 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
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www.unitron.com
Distributor
B/09-013 029-5671-02
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