Widex AK-X User Manual

User’s instructions

The AIKIA Series

AK-X/AK-XP

In-the-ear

The hearing aid 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-X/AK-XP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

The battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Battery type. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Inserting the battery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Changing the battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Turning the hearing aid on and off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Left/right identification. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Placing AIKIA 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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

The sound outlet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

The relief vent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

The CeruSTOP wax guard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

Caring for your hearing aid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Good advice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34

Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

Remote control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

In case of malfunction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

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-X/AK-XP)

1. Microphone openings, where the sound

enters the hearing aid.

2. Program button, which allows you to choose

between different listening programs.

3. On/off function, which is integrated into the

battery compartment cover. (also see page 11)

4. Volume control is available in some AIKIA

models. It makes it possible to fine tune the automatically adjusted loudness.

5. Nail grip on the battery compartment cover for

easy opening.

6. Sound outlet, through which the amplified

sound from the hearing aid reaches your ear.

7. Relief vent for aeration of the ear canal.

8. Coloured Widex logo, indicating which ear the

hearing aid fits. Red logo: for your right ear, blue logo: for your left ear.

The battery

Battery type

The recommended battery type for your AIKIA hearing aid is:

Zinc Air battery type 312

To obtain replacement batteries, please consult your hearing care professional. Please note the expiry date and the recommendations regarding disposal of used batteries on the battery pack. To ensure proper battery function, do not use batteries past the expiry 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.

When opening the battery compartment cover, be careful not to force it beyond the upright position. Place the battery in the battery compartment so that the side of the battery with the small plus (+) sign is facing in the same direction as the plus (+) sign on the battery compartment cover.

If the battery compartment cover 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.

Turning the hearing aid on and off

The battery compartment cover of your AIKIA hearing aid also functions as the on/off switch. The hearing aid is turned on when a battery is inserted correctly and the battery compartment cover is completely closed.

The hearing aid is turned off when the battery compartment cover is open.

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.

Left/right identification

If you are wearing hearing aids in both ears, it is easy to tell them apart as the right-ear hearing aid has a red Widex logo and the left-ear hearing aid a blue.

Placing AIKIA in the ear

Before inserting the hearing aid, you must place a battery in the battery compartment and close the battery compartment cover completely.

Hold your hearing aid with your thumb and forefinger. Slowly guide the hearing aid into your ear canal until you feel resistance. Let go of the hearing aid and use the tip of your forefinger to gently push the hearing aid into your ear until it rests comfortably in your canal.

To ease the final adjustments it can be a help to pull the outer ear backwards and upwards with the opposite hand.

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 it in the ear. An alternative is a setting where the hearing aid actively suppresses whistling while it is being inserted in the ear. Together with your hearing care professional you can choose the startup setting that suits your needs best.

Removing AIKIA

Hold the hearing aid with your thumb and forefinger and pull gently. If it is difficult to loosen the hearing aid, it may help to try to move the hearing aid gently from side to side. It may also help to pull the outer ear backwards and upwards while applying a little pressure around the ear opening with the opposite forefinger.

Automatic adjustment of loudness

AIKIA adjusts loudness automatically in accordance with your sound environment. Several thousand times per second, AIKIA analyses 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. (The lever on your hearing aid may be placed differently than the lever in the drawing).

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.

Listening programs

Your AIKIA hearing aid may be provided with up to four listening programs optimised 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 audibilit y, speech intelligibility and comfort in all listening situations.

Acclimatisation 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 can only be used where a loop system is installed. Activating this program allows you to listen to a specific sound source and shut out surrounding sounds.

Listening program form

Program Chosen

programs:

Application:

Switching between the listening programs

You can switch between the programs by using the program button on the battery compartment cover. 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

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 forms found at the back of these instructions.

Keeping AIKIA clean

Your A I K IA is an in-the-ear instrument, which means it is worn in your ear canal.

It is very important for its performance that you inspect and clean the instru-

ment daily. Never wash your AIKIA in water, cleaning solutions or other liquids. Instead, clean your hearing aid daily with a dry soft cloth to keep the outside dry and clean of residue, wax, etc. We recommend that every time you take the hearing aid out of your ear, you inspect the sound outlet and the relief vent opening to ensure that no dirt has gathered there.

Below is an example of how the sound outlet and relief vent openings can be positioned. The positions can be slightly different on your hearing aid.

1. Sound outlet

2. Relief vent opening

Cleaning accessories

The following accessories are available for your hearing aid. Ask your hearing care professional which accessories you need for your hearing aid:

1. Battery magnet to facilitate insertion of the

battery into the battery compartment.

2. Wax removing tool for cleaning the relief vent

opening.

3. Small brush for removal of earwax from the

area around the sound outlet.

4. Soft cloth for drying and cleaning the hearing

aid.

Contact your hearing care professional if you need additional supplies of accessories.

The sound outlet

If wax has gathered around the sound outlet, this should be removed with the small

brush or cloth. It is important that the sound outlet is never blocked.

Important: Do not insert anything into the sound outlet as this could damage the hearing aid!

Your AIKIA hearing aid may be equipped with a CeruSTOP wax guard to prevent earwax from working its way into the sound canal. (See page 28).

The relief vent

The relief vent permits aera-

tion of the ear canal. If wax

has accumulated in and/or

around the relief vent open-

ing, it must be removed. Use

the long wax removing tool.

Clean any wax from the vent by passing the wax removing tool all the way through the vent. It is important for the performance of the hearing aid that the relief vent is never blocked. Make it a habit to clean the relief vent every day! In rare cases so much earwax can accumulate in the relief vent that the sound of the hearing aid changes. In that case you should see your hearing care professional.

The CeruSTOP wax guard

The CeruSTOP wax guard system consists of the following parts:

1. Holder

2. Removal hook

3. Wax guard

CeruSTOP wax guards come in a carrying case. The wax guard is mounted on one end of the holder.

Changing the CeruSTOP wax guard

Wipe away any visible wax from the shell of your hearing aid. The used wax guard is in the stainless steel bushing around the sound outlet. With the holder perpendicular to the face of the bushing, insert the removal hook into the used wax guard so that the shaft of the holder is touching the rim of the wax guard, then slowly pull the wax guard straight out. There is no need to dig or twist the wax guard from the bushing.

1. Vent opening

2. Sound outlet

3. Used wax

guard

Now turn the holder around so that the used wax guard is away from the instrument and the new one is in position to be inserted into your hearing aid.

Gently press the new wax guard straight into the opening of the sound outlet. Do not force the wax guard into the sound outlet. The outer ring of the wax guard should sit flat on the stainless steel bushing.

Then pull the holder straight out. Do not twist the tool. The new wax guard will automatically dismount from the holder and remain in place.

After inserting the new wax guard, discard the holder with the used wax guard attached to the removal hook. Never reuse a wax guard.

The frequency with which the CeruSTOP wax guard should be changed varies from one individual to another depending on, for example, the type and amount of earwax produced.

The use of a CeruSTOP wax guard does not eliminate the need for daily cleaning procedures.

Warning: If the wax guard fits loosely, discard it and insert another. If the wax guard becomes dislodged from the hearing aid while in the ear canal, please contact your physician immediately. Do not try to remove the wax guard from your ear canal yourself.

If you have any questions regarding your wax guard, please contact 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, a Widex

drying kit may be used daily to reduce the amount of moisture inside the hearing aid. See the instructions enclosed with the Widex drying kit.

• Do not wear your hearing aid in the shower or

swimming, or when using a hair dryer, hair spray, or other sprays.

• Never try to open or repair the hearing aid your-

self.

• 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.

• Widex hearing aids are not certified for use in

mines or other areas with explosive gases.

Good advice

• The use of hearing aids increases the risk of ac-

cumulation of earwax. 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 rea-

son as you may risk swallowing it. In case of ingestion, contact your physician immediately.

• The hearing aid is made of modern non-aller-

genic 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/earmould 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/earmould at night to allow the ear canal to be ventilated. Make sure that you clean and inspect your hearing aid/earmould as required. If an infection occurs, you should disinfect your hearing aid/earmould 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/earmould.

Accessories

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.

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 is inserted correctly and the battery compartment cover is closed correctly.

• The battery is dead or does not work. Insert a

new battery. Make sure the battery is inserted correctly and that the battery compartment cover is closed correctly.

• The sound outlet is blocked. Earwax is often the

cause of a blocked sound outlet. If the hearing aid is equipped with a CeruSTOP wax guard, change the wax guard. If the hearing aid is not equipped with a wax guard, clean the sound outlet of the hearing aid with the small brush. See page 25. Do not insert anything into the sound outlet as this could damage the hearing aid. If you cannot clean the sound outlet completely, you should contact your hearing care professional.

• The battery contacts are dirty. Contact your

hearing care professional to have the battery contacts cleaned.

• The microphone opening is blocked. Wax or

dirt can block the microphone opening. Do not insert anything into the microphone opening. Contact your hearing care professional.

If the hearing aid volume is not powerful enough, it could be because:

• The sound outlet is blocked. Earwax is often the

• Your ear canal is blocked by earwax. Contact

your ENT doctor to have your ear canal cleaned.

If the hearing aid whistles continuously, it could be because:

• The hearing aid is not correctly placed in your

ear canal. Take the hearing aid out and reinsert it. It is important that the hearing aid is placed correctly in your ear canal.

• Your ear canal is blocked by earwax. Contact

your ENT doctor to have your ear canal cleaned.

• The hearing aid shell fit is too loose. Contact

your hearing care professional.

If the hearing aid is uncomfortable to wear, it could be because:

• The hearing aid is not placed correctly in your

ear canal. Consult your hearing care professional for advice on how to place the hearing aid correctly in your ear canal.

• The hearing aid shell has a poor physical fit.

Contact your hearing care professional.

• Your outer ear or ear canal is sore. It is impor-

tant for first-time users to only wear the hearing aid for short periods of time at the beginning. The skin in the ear canal is very thin and may swell a little because of the pressure from the hearing aid. Take 2-3 weeks to gradually get used to the hearing aid. If the soreness continues, contact your hearing care professional.

If the hearing aid performs intermittently, it could be because:

• The battery contacts are dirty. Contact your

hearing care professional to have the battery contacts cleaned.