Widex AK-19 User Instructions

Page 1
User’s instructions
The AIKIA Series
AK-19
Behind-the-ear
Page 2
2
The hearing aid, earmold and accessories shown in these user’s instructions may not look the same as the ones you have. We furthermore reserve the right to make any changes considered necessary.
Hearing aids and their accessories should not be disposed of with normal household waste. Please consult your national Widex distributor for advice on how to dispose of your hearing aid.
Contents
Your new AIKIA hearing aid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
AIKIA (AK-19) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
The battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Battery type. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Inserting the battery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Changing the battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Turning the hearing aid on and off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Left/right identification. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Placing AIKIA on/in the ear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Possible settings when turning on your hearing aid . . . . . . . .14
Removing AIKIA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Automatic adjustment of loudness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Fine tuning loudness. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Listening programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Switching between the listening programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Keeping AIKIA clean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Cleaning accessories. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
The hearing aid. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
The earmold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Caring for your hearing aid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Good advice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Audio input . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
FM systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Remote control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
In case of malfunction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Page 3
4
Your new AIKIA hearing aid
Thank you for choosing a Widex hearing aid. AIKIA is a hearing aid that allows you to be part of the process of tailoring the sound to your individual hearing loss and lifestyle requirements.
We recommend that you read the entire booklet to get full satisfaction from your new AIKIA hearing aid.
We hope you will be pleased with your new Wi­dex hearing aid.
AIKIA (AK-19)
1. Microphone openings, where the sound
enters the hearing aid.
2. Volume control
is available in some AIKIA models. It makes it possible to fine tune the automatically adjusted loudness.
3. Program button
, which allows you to choose
between different listening programs.
4. On/off switch
.
5. Battery drawer
with a nail grip for easy opening.
6. Earhook
– non-detachable.
7. Plastic tubing
.
8. Earmold
.
9. Sound outlet
.
10. Relief vent
for aeration of the ear canal.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Page 4
6
The battery
Battery type
The recommended battery type for your AIKIA hearing aid is:
Zinc Air battery type 13
To obtain replacement batteries, please consult your hearing care professional. Please note the ex­piration date and the recommendations regarding disposal of used batteries on the battery pack. To ensure proper battery function, do not use batter­ies past the expiration date. Because they are Zinc Air type batteries, they need air to work. There­fore, do not remove the adhesive tab until just be­fore inserting the battery in the hearing aid. Once the tab has been removed, the battery will start functioning after a few seconds. The battery life will depend on a number of factors, such as the setting of your hearing aid, how many hours you use it daily and the listening environments in which you use it.
Inserting the battery
Before inserting a new battery in your hearing aid, remember to re­move the adhesive tab. Do not use batteries on which there is a sticky residue from the tab or other un­wanted substance.
Page 5
8
Push the nail grip downwards to swing open the battery drawer. The nail grip is located on the opposite side of the on/off switch at the bottom of the hearing aid.
The plus (+) sign of the battery must face upwards. If the battery drawer does not close easily, the bat­tery is incorrectly inserted.
Changing the battery
If you hear four rapid beep-tones while wearing your hearing aid, it is an indication that the battery is nearly exhausted. Once the battery is totally ex­hausted, the hearing aid will be completely silent. Exactly how long the hearing aid will function after the beep-tones varies from one case to another. We recommend that you always have a spare bat­tery with you.
For adjustment of the beep-tone level or disabling of the function, please consult your hearing care professional.
Never leave an exhausted battery in the hearing aid. Exhausted batteries may leak, which could damage the hearing aid. When changing batteries, it is a good idea to hold the hearing aid over a table or a carpet, in case you drop the hearing aid or bat­tery.
Page 6
10
The hearing aid can be provided with a battery drawer lock, if re­quired. This is a particularly good idea if the hearing aid is worn by a child. A special tool for opening the lock will be in­cluded when ordering the lock (see the drawing).
You open the lock by push­ing it to the right and then downward with the tool in one movement as illustrat­ed.
Turning the hearing aid on and off
The battery drawer is placed at the bottom of the hearing aid. The battery drawer also functions as the on/off switch.
The hearing aid is turned on when the switch is pushed upwards, and off when the switch is pushed down­wards.
The word “OFF” is clearly vis­ible on the switch when the hearing aid is turned off.
Please remember to switch the hearing aid off when it is not in use. Remove the battery if the hearing aid will not be used for several days.
Page 7
12
Left/right identification
If you wear hearing aids on both ears, your hearing care professional can put color marks on your hearing aids so you can easily see which is for the left ear and which is for the right ear (red mark = right and blue mark = left).
Placing AIKIA on/in the ear
Insert a battery in your hearing aid. First insert the earmold in the ear canal while holding the lower part of the tubing. It may also help to pull the outer ear backwards and upwards with the opposite hand.
Once the earmold has been inserted, you place the hearing aid behind the ear, so that the hook rests comfortably on the ear, close to your head.
Page 8
14
Possible settings when turning on your hearing aid
Your hearing aid can be set to start up in two dif­ferent ways. In the standard start-up setting your hearing aid may whistle slightly while you insert the earmold in the ear. An alternative is a setting where the hearing aid actively suppresses whis­tling while the earmold is being inserted in the ear. Together with your hearing care professional you can choose the start-up setting that suits your needs best.
Removing AIKIA
Turn off your hearing aid before removing it. First remove the hearing aid from its position behind the ear. Carefully pull the earmold out of the ear ca­nal, while holding the lower part of the tubing. If it is difficult, it may help to try to move the earmold carefully from side to side while pulling it out. It may also help to pull the outer ear backwards and upwards with the opposite hand.
Page 9
16
Automatic adjustment of loudness
AIKIA adjusts loudness automatically in accord­ance with your sound environment. Several thou­sand times per second, AIKIA analyzes the sur­roundings and tailors its sound accordingly. With AIKIA you do not have to think about adjusting the volume – it happens quite automatically.
Important: If the volume in your hearing aid is too loud or too weak, or if the reproduced sounds are distorted, or you would like any further informa­tion, consult your hearing care professional.
Fine tuning loudness
Your hearing aid may be pro­vided with a volume control, shaped like a small lever. Push the lever upwards to raise the automatically set volume. Push the lever downwards to lower the volume. Use short
touches for minor corrections of the volume. Faster adjustments are obtained by keeping the lever pressed for some seconds.
Each time you operate the volume control, you will hear a beep-tone. For modification of the beep­tones or disabling of the beep-tone function or vol­ume control, please consult your hearing care pro­fessional.
Any adjustment of the volume setting will be can­celled when your hearing aid is turned off.
Page 10
18
Listening programs
Your AIKIA hearing aid may be provided with up to four listening programs optimized for different lis­tening situations. Your hearing care professional can help you select the programs that are of use to you. If your needs change over time, the combina­tion of listening programs can be changed. In these user’s instructions, the hearing care professional can list the listening programs that are available in your hearing aid (see page 20). You can choose from the following programs:
AIKIA Master: This listening program is AIKIA’s standard program. In the Master program all the automatic functions of the hearing aid work to en­sure audibility, speech intelligibility and comfort in all listening situations.
Acclimatization program: This listening program has the same features as the Master program, but provides slightly less amplification. The listening program is ideal if this is your first hearing aid and you want to become used to all the new sounds gradually.
Music: This listening program is ideal for listening to music.
TV: This listening program is ideal for listening to the TV.
M+T: In this listening program you listen via the hearing aid microphone (M) and the telecoil (T). This listening program allows you to listen to a specific sound source and still hear surrounding sounds.
T: In this listening program you listen via the tele­coil (T) and not via the microphone (M) in the hearing aid. The telecoil is used where a loop sys­tem or specially adapted telephone system is in­stalled. Activating this program allows you to lis­ten to a specific sound source and shut out sur­rounding sounds.
Page 11
20
Listening program form
Program Chosen
programs:
Application:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Switching between the listening programs
You can switch between the programs by using the program button on the back of the hearing aid. If you do not want to use the program button, you can consult your hearing care professional to have it disabled.
Each time you switch to another program, you will hear beep-tones. The beeps tell you which pro­gram you have chosen;
Program 1: One brief beep Program 2: Two brief beeps Program 3: Three brief beeps Program 4: One long and one brief beep
Page 12
22
The number of different beeps depends on how many programs you - together with your hearing care professional - have chosen to have in your hearing aid. The selected listening programs are numbered 1-4.
If you – in consultation with your hearing care pro­fessional – decide on other combinations of pro­grams later, these can be written on the blank form found at the back of these instructions.
Keeping AIKIA clean
Cleaning accessories
The following accessories are available for your hearing aid:
1. Battery magnet to facilitate insertion of the
battery into the battery drawer.
2.
Wax removing tool for cleaning the relief vent opening and the earmold sound bore.
3.
Soft cloth for drying and cleaning the hearing aid.
Contact your hearing care professional if you need additional supplies of accessories.
1.
2.
3.
Page 13
24
The hearing aid
Never wash your hearing aid with water, cleaning solutions or other liquids. Instead, clean your hear­ing aid with a dry soft cloth after use.
When the hearing aid is not in use, it is a good idea to leave the battery drawer open, so as to ventilate the hearing aid and allow it to dry.
The earmold
Make sure that your ear­mold is clean and free of earwax and moisture. If it is plugged, clear the openings with a wax re­moving tool (see illus­tration).
Disconnect the earmold and tubing from the hearing aid at least once a week and wash the earmold in lukewarm water. Rinse the earmold thoroughly and allow it to dry overnight.
Page 14
26
If there is still moisture in the earmold the next time you want to use the hearing aid, use a small
blower or the like to blow it dry. Never use alcohol or other cleaning solu­tions to clean your earmold.
If your earmold tubing becomes slack, stiff, yellow or cracked, it should be replaced. For further sup­plies of tubing consult your hearing care profes­sional.
Caring for your hearing aid
With proper care, your hearing aid will give you years of reliable service. Here are some things you can do to prolong the life of your hearing aid:
Switch your hearing aid off when it is not in use. Should you not use it for several days, take out the battery to avoid battery leakage.
Treat your hearing aid as the valuable object it is: with care. When your hearing aid is not in use, keep it in its case in a cool, dry location where it cannot be reached by children or pets.
When not in use, do not expose your hearing aid to extreme temperatures or high humidity.
In environments with high humidity (including that created by heavy perspiration), a drying kit may be used daily to reduce the amount of moisture inside the hearing aid. See the in­structions enclosed with the drying kit.
Page 15
28
Do not wear your hearing aid in the shower or swimming, or when using a hair dryer, hair spray, or other sprays and creams (e.g. suntan­ing oils).
Never try to open or repair the hearing aid your­self.
Do not wear your hearing aid during x-ray, MR scans, CT scans, short-wave diathermy, or sim­ilar radiation treatments and never place your hearing aid in a microwave oven. These are some of the types of radiation that can damage your hearing aid. Radiation from, for example, room surveillance equipment, burglar alarms and cellular telephones, is weaker and will not damage your hearing aid; however, you may hear interference noise.
Widex hearing aids are not certified for use in mines or other areas with explosive gases.
Good advice
You may notice increased accumulation of ear­wax with hearing aid usage. Contact your phy­sician/ENT doctor if you suspect that a plug of earwax has accumulated in your ear. Earwax may not only reduce your own hearing but also the effect of the hearing aid considerably. It is a good idea to ask your physician to clean your ears a couple of times a year.
Please be sure to keep your hearing aid and its accessories out of the reach of children, who might place them in their mouths. Also keep batteries out of children’s reach and discard used batteries carefully. Do not change batter­ies in front of children and do not let them see where you keep your supply.
Never put a battery in your mouth for any rea­son as you may risk swallowing it. In case of in­gestion, contact your physician immediately and the 24 Hour National Button Battery In-
gestion Hotline at (202)625-3333.
Page 16
30
The hearing aid is made of modern non-aller­genic materials. Still, in rare cases skin irrita­tion can occur. If you notice skin irritation in or around your ear or ear canal, contact your hear­ing care professional.
Please be aware that the use of any type of hearing aid/earmold may involve a slightly in­creased risk of infection in the ear canal. An in­fection can arise as a result of inadequate ven­tilation of the ear. Therefore, we recommend that you take out your hearing aid/earmold at night to allow the ear canal to be ventilated. Make sure that you clean and inspect your hearing aid/earmold as required. If an infection occurs, you should disinfect your hearing aid/ earmold and seek medical advice. Contact your hearing care professional for further advice on methods of disinfection. Do not under any cir­cumstances use alcohol, chlorine or similar substances to clean your hearing aid/earmold.
Accessories
Audio input
Your AIKIA hearing aid can be furnished with an au­dio shoe. This allows direct connection to different kinds of accessories (FM and CROS/Bi-CROS sys­tems), as well as external audio equipment (radio, TV, etc.). In this way the sound from, for example, a radio or a speaker provided with an FM microphone can be sent directly into your hearing aid.
With an audio shoe connected to the hearing aid, one or more of your standard listening programs are replaced by dedicated audio programs.
In the form on the next page, your hearing care professional can make a note of the audio pro­grams you have access to and where they are lo­cated. When you attach the audio shoe, the hear­ing aid automatically switches to an audio program (see page 32). If you then wish to switch to one of the other programs, you must use the program button on the hearing aid. As soon as you remove the audio shoe, the usual program order is re-es­tablished (see page 20).
Page 17
32
Program Program order with audio shoe
1.
2.
3.
4.
Important: If your hearing aid is connected to an accessory requiring use of a power outlet, the ac­cessory unit must conform to requirements stated in IEC (international) or UL safety standards.
Do not connect the hearing aid to sockets that are labelled with one or more of the following sym­bols:
For more information on the use of audio input consult your hearing care professional.
Page 18
34
FM systems
An FM system is an assistive listening device that can be used as an accessory for AIKIA. The FM system makes it easier to understand speech in difficult listening situations. The FM system con­sists of a small radio transmitter with a microphone placed near the speaker and a small radio receiver clicked onto AIKIA via an FM shoe. The operating range is approx. 49 feet depending on the sur­roundings. For help to determine whether you could benefit from an FM system, please consult your hearing care professional.
Remote control
- an alternative way of operating your hearing aid
A remote control is an accessory for your hearing aid. It allows you to adjust the volume or switch between the listening programs in your hearing aid.
You can choose between two different remote control models: A basic model and an advanced model. For help to determine whether you could benefit from one of these remote control models, please consult your hearing care professional.
Page 19
36
In case of malfunction
The following pages include some quick advice to follow if you experience problems. Before contact­ing your hearing care professional, please follow the advice below:
If the hearing aid is dead, it could be because:
The instrument is not turned on. Make sure the battery drawer, which functions as the on/off switch, is pushed all the way upwards and that the word “OFF” is not visible on the switch.
The battery is dead or does not work. Insert a new battery. Make sure the battery is inserted correctly and that the battery drawer is closed correctly.
The sound outlet of the earmold is blocked. Blockage of the sound outlet of an earmold is often caused by earwax. Clean the blocked sound outlet.
If the hearing aid volume is not powerful enough, it could be because:
The battery is nearly exhausted. Insert a new battery. Make sure the battery is inserted cor­rectly and that the battery drawer is closed cor­rectly.
The sound outlet of the earmold is blocked. Blockage of the sound outlet of an earmold is often caused by earwax. Clean the blocked sound outlet.
Your ear is blocked by earwax. Contact your ENT doctor/physician.
Your hearing may have changed. Contact your hearing care professional.
Page 20
38
If the hearing aid whistles continuously, it could be because:
Your ear is blocked by earwax. Contact your ENT doctor/physician.
The tubing is broken. Contact your hearing care professional regarding tubing replacement.
The tubing is yellow and stiff. Contact your hearing care professional regarding tubing re­placement
The tubing often comes off the earmold or hear­ing aid hook. Contact your hearing care profes-
sional regarding tubing replacement.
The hook or elbow is cracked. Contact your hearing care professional regarding replace­ment
The earmold is not correctly placed in your ear canal. Take the earmold out and reinsert it. It is
important that the earmold is placed correctly in your ear canal.
The earmold fit is too loose. Contact your hear­ing care professional.
If the hearing aid performs intermittently, it could be because:
The on/off switch is dirty. Push the switch back and forth a couple of times.
Page 21
40
Listening program form
Program Chosen
programs:
Application:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Listening program form
Program Chosen
programs:
Application:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Page 22
42
Listening program form
Program Chosen
programs:
Application:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Page 23
Widex,
DK-3500 Vaerloese
Denmark
www.widexusa.com
¡9 514 0081 041;¤
Printed by FB / 10-06 9 514 0081 041 #01
¡#01v¤
Reorder # CIB108
Loading...