Phonak Virto B User Guide
Phonak Virto B hearing aid is a state-of-the-art device designed to enhance your hearing experience. With its advanced features, Phonak Virto B offers crystal-clear sound quality, allowing you to enjoy conversations, music, and other audio content with ease.
Phonak Virto B comes equipped with a variety of customizable settings, tailored to your specific hearing needs. The adjustable volume control lets you fine-tune the sound level to your preference, while the push button provides convenient access to different hearing programs.
This hearing aid boasts wireless connectivity, seamlessly pairing with compatible devices such as smartphones and TVs. This allows you to stream audio directly to your hearing aids, providing an immersive and discreet listening experience. Additionally, Phonak Virto B can be controlled remotely via the Phonak Remote app, giving you the flexibility to adjust settings and personalize your hearing experience from your smartphone.
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Phonak Virto B
(B90/B70/B50/B30)
User Guide
This user guide is valid for:
Wireless models
Phonak Virto B90-10 O
Phonak Virto B90-10
Phonak Virto B90-312
Phonak Virto B90-13
Phonak Virto B70-10 O
Phonak Virto B70-10
Phonak Virto B70-312
Phonak Virto B70-13
Phonak Virto B50-10 O
Phonak Virto B50-10
Phonak Virto B50-312
Phonak Virto B50-13
Phonak Virto B30-10 0
Phonak Virto B30-10
Phonak Virto B30-312
Phonak Virto B30-13
2017
2017
2017
2017
2017
2017
2017
2017
2017
CE mark applied
2017
2017
2017
2017
2017
2017
2017
Note: Some of these products include BVST (Binaural VoiceStream Technology TM ) and/or
Floating Antenna TM feature
Non wireless models
Phonak Virto B90-312 NW O
Phonak Virto B90-10 NW O
Phonak Virto B70-312 NW O
Phonak Virto B70-10 NW O
Phonak Virto B50-312 NW O
Phonak Virto B50-10 NW O
Phonak Virto B30-312 NW O
Phonak Virto B30-10 NW O
CE mark applied
2017
2017
2017
2017
2017
2017
2017
2017
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Your hearing aids have been developed by
Phonak – the world leader in hearing solutions based in Zurich, Switzerland.
These premium products are the result of decades of research and expertise and are designed to keep you connected to the beauty of sound! We thank you for making such a great choice and wish you many years of listening pleasure.
Please read the user guide carefully to make sure that you understand and get the best out of your hearing aids.
For more information about features and benefits, simply contact your hearing care professional.
Phonak – life is on www.phonak-us.com
Your hearing aid details
If no box is checked and you do not know the model of your hearing aid, please ask your hearing care professional.
Model c c c c c c
Phonak Virto B-10 NW O
Phonak Virto B-10 O
Phonak Virto B-10
Phonak Virto B-312 NW O
Phonak Virto B-312
Phonak Virto B-13
Battery size
10
10
10
312
312
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Your hearing care professional:
5
Contents
Your hearing aid
1. Quick guide
2. Parts of the hearing aid
Using the hearing aid
3. Left & right hearing aid markings
4. On/Off
5. Batteries
6. Putting on the hearing aid
7. Removing the hearing aid
8. Push button
9. Volume control
10. Adjusting Virto B-10 NW O with Phonak
MiniControl
Further Information
11. Care and maintenance
12. Wireless accessories
13. Service and warranty
14. Compliance information
15. Information and description of symbols
16. Troubleshooting
17. Important safety information
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10
17
19
20
21
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13
14
16
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40
42
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26
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18. Important information: Cell phones
19. For the US market only, complies with the FDA regulations
20. Important notice for Prospective Noise
Generator users
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1. Quick guide
Left & right hearing aid markings
Blue marking for left hearing aid.
Red marking for right hearing aid.
Left Right
Changing batteries
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1
Remove the sticker from the new battery and wait two minutes.
2
Open the battery door.
3
Place battery in the battery door with the
“+” symbol facing upwards.
On/Off
On Off
Push button
Models with this option only:
The push button on your hearing aid can have various functions.
Volume control
Models with this option only:
To increase the volume, turn the volume control forwards. To decrease the volume, turn the volume control backwards.
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2. Parts of the hearing aid
The pictures below show the models described in this user guide. You can identify your personal model by:
• Checking “Your hearing aid details” on page 5.
• Or comparing your hearing aid with the following shown models. Pay attention to the shape of the hearing aid and if a volume control is present.
Virto B-10 O and B-10 NW O
Sound outlet / wax protection system
Push button
(optional)
Custom made shell
Battery door
Removal handle
Virto B-312 NW O
Sound outlet / wax protection system
Custom made shell
Battery door
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Virto B-10
Sound outlet / wax protection system
Push button
Removal handle
Custom made shell
Battery door
Volume control
(optional)
Virto B-312
Push button
Volume control
(optional)
Sound outlet / wax protection system
Custom made shell
Battery door
Virto B-13
Custom made shell
Sound outlet / wax protection system
Push button
Battery door
Volume control
(optional)
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3. Left & right hearing aid markings
There is a red or blue marking to tell you if it is a left or a right hearing aid. The color mark is located on the battery door, on the shell (text printed in red or blue) or shell is colored red or blue.
Blue marking for left hearing aid.
Red marking for right hearing aid.
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4. On/Off
The battery door is also the on/off switch.
1
Closed battery door = hearing aid is on
2
Opened battery door = hearing aid is off
When you switch on the hearing aid you may hear a start-up melody.
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5. Batteries
1 2
Remove the sticker from the new battery and wait two minutes.
Open the battery door.
3
Place battery in the battery door with the
“+” symbol facing upwards.
If it is difficult to close the battery door: Check that the battery is inserted correctly and the “+” symbol is facing upwards. If the battery is not inserted correctly, the hearing aid will not work and the battery door can be damaged.
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Low power: You will hear two beeps when the battery is low. You will have approximately 30 minutes to change the battery (this can vary, depending on the hearing aid settings and battery). We recommend that you always have a new battery on hand.
Replacement battery
This hearing aid requires zinc-air batteries. Identify the correct battery size (10, 312 or 13) by:
• Checking “Your hearing aid details” on page 5.
• Checking the marking on the inner side of the battery door.
• Checking the following table.
Model ANSI code
Phonak Virto
B-10 NW O
B-10 O
B-10
B-312 NW O
B-312
B-13
Zinc air battery size
10
10
10
312
312
13
Color marking on package yellow yellow yellow brown brown orange
IEC code
PR70
PR70
PR70
PR41
PR41
PR48
7005ZD
7005ZD
7005ZD
7002ZD
7002ZD
7000ZD
Please ensure you use the correct type of battery in your hearing aids (zinc-air). Please also read chapter
17.2 for further information on product safety.
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6. Putting on the hearing aid
(all models)
1
Take your hearing aid up to your ear and place the ear canal part into your ear canal.
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7. Removing the hearing aid
7.1 Removing the hearing aid with a removal handle
1
Hold the removal handle and carefully pull the hearing aid up and out of the ear.
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7.2 Removing the hearing aid without a removal handle
1
Put your thumb behind your lobe and gently press your ear upward to push the hearing aid out of the canal. In order to help it along, make chewing movements with your jaw.
2
Grasp the protruding hearing aid and remove it.
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8. Push button
Models with this option only:
The push button on your hearing aid can have various functions or is not active. This depends on the programming of the hearing aid, which is indicated in your individual “Hearing aid instructions”. Please ask your hearing care professional for this printout.
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9. Volume control
Models with this option only:
To increase the volume, turn the volume control forwards. To decrease the volume, turn the volume control backwards. The volume control can be disabled by the hearing care professional.
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10. Adjusting Virto B-10 NW O with
Phonak MiniControl
The MiniControl contains a magnet that functions like a remote control to change the settings of your
Virto B-10 NW O.
Your Virto B-10 NW O in combination with MiniControl can have various functions or can remain inactive. This depends on your individual settings, which are indicated in your individual “Hearing aid instructions”. Please ask your hearing care professional for this print out.
To use the MiniControl, unscrew the magnet from the keychain housing and hold it inside the ear canal without touching the hearing aid.
Keychain housing
MiniControl magnet
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While the hearing aid is on, hold the magnet inside the ear canal without touching the hearing aid.
Promtly remove the magnet as soon as your Virto B-10
NW O is in the desired program or the volume is ideal for you.
If you use a medical device like a pacemaker or ICD device (implantable cardioverter defibrillator), please read the specific user guide to clarify possible impact of magnetic fields to your medical device.
Do not place the MiniControl (neither open nor closed) in your breast pocket. Keep a distance of at least 15 cm (6 inches) between the MiniControl and any medical device.
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11. Care and maintenance
Diligent and routine care of your hearing aid contributes to outstanding performance and a long service life.
Please use the following specifications as a guideline.
For further information regarding product safety, see chapter 17.2.
General information
Before using hair spray or applying cosmetics, you should remove your hearing aid from your ear, because these products may damage it.
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Daily
Daily cleaning and the use of a drying system is highly recommended. C&C line from Phonak is a complete set of cleaning products. Your hearing care professional will be glad to advise you. Never use household cleaning products (washing powder, soap, etc.) to clean your hearing aids.
If your hearing aid is performing weakly or fails to operate, clean or replace the wax guard system. If your hearing aid fails to operate after you have correctly cleaned or replaced your wax protection system and inserted new batteries, contact your hearing care professional for advice.
Weekly
For more in depth maintenance instructions or for more than basic cleaning, please see your hearing care professional.
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Wax protection
SmartGuard is a unique wax protection system developed by Phonak. The unique membrane design completely protects your hearing aid from wax and moisture.
Cerustop wax guards are also commonly used as an alternative protection system. Please ask your hearing care professional for detailed information on the use of the wax protection system on your hearing aid.
SmartGuard
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12. Wireless accessories
12.1 Connecting to audio sources and remote control
A range of Phonak accessories are available for you to use with your wireless hearing aid.
Phonak RemoteMic***
Phonak EasyCall II with cell phone
Phonak streaming device*
Cell phone
MP3 Player/
Audio source**
Phonak PilotOne II remote control
Phonak DECT II phone
Phonak TVLink II connected to TV
* The Phonak ComPilot II with neckloop or ComPilot Air II with clip to attach to clothing. They also have basic remote control functionalities. For advanced control they can be used with the
Phonak RemoteControl App.
** Audio sources (e.g. MP3 Player, computer, laptop, tablet) can be connected to the streaming device via Bluetooth or audio cable.
*** Clipped onto the speaker’s clothing for better understanding over distance.
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12.2 Communication in noise and over distance
The Roger portfolio provides an outstanding microphone performance to help you better understand in noise and over distance. With Roger you can benefit from:
• understanding every word in a noisy situation e.g. restaurants, public areas and over distance
• discreet design
• speech transmission directly to your hearing aids with attached receiver or via your body-worn receiver
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Body-worn receiver option
Microphone*
Note: Only available for Virto B models with telecoil
* Some Phonak Roger microphones also support input from audio sources via Bluetooth® or cable. Bluetooth® is a registered trademark owned by the Bluetooth SIG, Inc.
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13. Service and warranty
Local warranty
Please ask the hearing care professional, where you purchased your hearing aid, about the terms of the local warranty.
International warranty
Sonova AG offers a one year limited international warranty, valid starting from the date of purchase.
This limited warranty covers manufacturing and material defects in the hearing aid itself, but not accessories such as batteries, tubes, earmolds and external receivers. The warranty only comes into force if a proof of purchase is shown.
The international warranty does not affect any legal rights that you might have under applicable national legislation governing sale of consumer goods.
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Warranty limitation
This warranty does not cover damage from improper handling or care, exposure to chemicals or undue stress.
Damage caused by third parties or non-authorized service centers renders the warranty null and void. This warranty does not include any services performed by a hearing care professional in their office.
Serial number
(left side):
Authorized hearing care professional (stamp/signature):
Serial number
(right side):
Date of purchase:
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14. Compliance information
Europe:
Declaration of Conformity
Hereby Sonova AG declares that this product meets the requirements of the Medical Devices Directive 93/42/EEC as well as the Radio Equipment Directive 2014/53/EU. The full text of the EU Declaration of Conformity can be obtained from the manufacturer or the local Phonak representative whose address can be taken from the list on www.phonak.com (Phonak worldwide locations).
Australia/New Zealand:
Indicates a device’s compliance with applicable
Radio Spectrum Management’s (RSM) and
Australian Communications and Media Authority
(ACMA) regulatory arrangements for the legal sale in New Zealand and Australia.
The compliance label R-NZ is for radio products supplied in the New Zealand market under conformity level A1.
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The wireless models listed on page 2 are certified under:
Phonak Virto B-10 O, models M / P / SP
USA
Canada
FCC ID:
IC:
KWC-ITEV10O
2262A-ITEV10O
Phonak Virto B-10, models M / P / SP
USA
Canada
FCC ID:
IC:
KWC-ITEV10
2262A-ITEV10
Phonak Virto B-13 & B-312, models M / P / SP / UP
USA
Canada
FCC ID:
IC:
KWC-ITEV13
2262A-ITEV13
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Notice 1:
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules and with RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and
2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
Notice 2:
Changes or modifications made to this device not expressly approved by Sonova AG may void the FCC authorization to operate this device.
Notice 3:
This device has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules and ICES-003 of Industry Canada.
These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation.
This device generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful
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interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this device does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the device and receiver.
• Connect the device into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
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Radio information of your wireless hearing aid
Antenna type
Operation frequency
Occupied bandwidth
(99% BW)
Modulation
Channel
Operating range
Use case
Magnetic field strength
@ 3 m
Integrated ferrite coil antenna (inductive)
10.6 MHz approx. 500 kHz
DQPSK
Single channel radio
18 cm (7”)
Streaming of audio or command signal to receiving hearing aid on the other ear
-20.5 dBµA/m
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15. Information and description of symbols
With the CE symbol, Sonova AG confirms that this product – including accessories – meets the requirements of the Medical Devices
Directive 93/42/EEC as well as the Radio
Equipment Directive 2014/53/EU. The numbers after the CE symbol correspond to the code of certified institutions that were consulted under the above-mentioned directives.
This symbol indicates that the products described in these user instructions adhere to the requirements for an applied part of Type B of EN 60601-1. The surface of the hearing aid is specified as an applied part of Type B.
Indicates the medical device manufacturer, as defined in EU Directive 93/42/EEC.
During transportation keep dry.
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This symbol indicates that it is important for the user to read and take into account the relevant information in these user guides.
This symbol indicates that it is important for the user to pay attention to the relevant warning notices in these user guides.
Important information for handling and product safety.
Operating conditions
The product is designed such that it functions without problems or restrictions if used as intended, unless otherwise noted in these user guides.
Indicates the manufacturer’s serial number so that a specific medical device can be identified.
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Indicates the manufacturer’s catalogue number so that the medical device can be identified.
Temperature during transportation and storage: –20° to +60° Celsius
(–4° to +140° Fahrenheit).
Humidity during transportation: Up to 90%
(non condensing).
Humidity during storage: 0% to 70%, if not in use. See instruction in chapter 17.2 regarding drying the hearing aid after use.
Atmospheric pressure: 200 hPA to 1500 hPa
The symbol with the crossed-out garbage bin is to make you aware that this hearing aid may not be thrown away as normal household waste. Please dispose of old or unused hearing aids, at waste disposal sites intended for electronic waste, or give your hearing aid to your hearing care professional for disposal. Proper disposal protects the environment and health.
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16. Troubleshooting
Problem
Hearing aid not functioning
Hearing aid whistles
Hearing aid not loud enough or distorted
Hearing aid plays two beeps
Hearing aid switches on & off
(intermittent)
Causes
Dead battery
Blocked sound outlet
Battery not inserted correctly
Hearing aid switched off
Hearing aid not inserted correctly
Earwax in ear canal
Volume too loud
Low battery
Blocked sound outlet
Volume too low
Physical hearing condition has changed
Indication for low battery
Moisture on battery or hearing aid
If the problem persists, contact you hearing care professional for assistance
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What to do
Change battery (chapter 1 + 5)
Clean sound outlet
Insert battery correctly (chapter 1 + 5)
Switch hearing aid on by completely closing the battery door
(chapter 4)
Insert hearing aid correctly (chapter 6)
Contact your ENT/GP or hearing care professional
Decrease volume if volume control available (chapter 8 + 9)
Change battery (chapter 1 + 5)
Clean sound outlet
Turn volume up if volume control available (chapter 8 + 9)
Contact you hearing care professional
Change battery within the next 30 minutes (chapter 1 + 5)
Wipe battery and hearing aid with dry cloth
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17. Important safety information
Please read the information on the following pages before using your hearing aid.
A hearing aid will not restore normal hearing and will not prevent or improve a hearing impairment resulting from organic conditions. Infrequent use of a hearing aid does not permit a user to attain full benefit from it. The use of a hearing aid is only part of hearing habilitation and may need to be supplemented by auditory training and instruction in lipreading.
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17.1 Hazard warnings
The intended use of hearing aids is to amplify and transmit sound to the ears and hereby compensate for impaired hearing. The hearing aids
(specially programmed for each hearing loss) must only be used by the intended person. They should not be used by any other person as they could damage hearing.
Changes or modifications to the hearing aid that were not explicitly approved by Sonova AG are not permitted. Such changes may damage your ear or the hearing aid.
Do not use the hearing aids in explosive areas
(mines or industrial areas with danger of explosions, oxygen-rich environments or areas where flammable anesthetics are handled).
Hearing aid batteries are toxic if they are swallowed!
Keep out of the reach of children, individuals with cognitive impairment, and pets. If batteries are swallowed, consult your physician immediately!
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If you feel pain in or behind your ear, if it is inflamed or if skin irritation and accelerated accumulations of earwax occur, please check with your hearing care professional or physician.
Hearing programs in the directional microphone mode reduce background noises. Please be aware that warning signals or noises coming from behind, e. g. cars, are partially or entirely suppressed.
This hearing aid is not for children below 36 months.
It contains small parts that can cause choking, if swallowed by children.
Keep out of the reach of children, individuals with cognitive impairment, and pets. If swallowed, consult a physician or hospital immediately.
Do not make a wire connection from your hearing aid to any external audio sources like radio etc. That could cause injuries on your body
(electric shock).
The following is only applicable for persons with active implantable medical devices (i.e. pacemakers, defibrillators, etc.):
Keep the wireless hearing aid at least 15 cm
(6 inches) away from the active implant. If you experience any interference, do not use the wireless hearing aids and contact the manufacturer of the active implant. Please, note that interference can also be caused by power lines, electrostatic discharge, airport metal detectors etc.
Keep magnets (i.e. battery handling tool, EasyPhone magnet, etc.) at least
15 cm (6 inches) away from the active implant.
If using a Phonak wireless accessory, consult the chapter “Important safety information” in your wireless accessory user guide.
Avoid strong physical impacts to the ear when wearing in-the-ear hearing aids. The stability of in-the-ear shells is designed for normal use. A strong physical impact to the ear (e.g. during sports) may cause the in-the-ear shell to break. This may lead to perforation of the ear canal or ear drum.
After mechanical stress or shock to the hearing aid, please ensure that the hearing aid shell is intact before placing it in the ear.
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17.2 Information on product safety
Never immerse your hearing aid in water! Protect it from excessive moisture. Always remove your hearing aid before showering, bathing, or swimming, as the hearing aid contains sensitive electronic parts.
Protect your hearing aid from heat (never leave near a window or in the car).
Never use a microwave or other heating devices to dry your hearing aid.
Ask your hearing care professional about suitable drying methods.
When you are not using your hearing aid, leave the battery door open so that any moisture can evaporate.
Make sure that you always completely dry your hearing aid after use. Store the hearing aid in a safe, dry and clean place.
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Do not drop your hearing aid! Dropping onto a hard surface can damage your hearing aid.
Always use new batteries for your hearing aid. In case a battery is leaking, replace it immediately with a new one to avoid any skin irritation. You can return used batteries to your hearing care professional.
The batteries used in these hearing aids should not exceed 1.5 Volts. Please do not use silver-zinc or Li-ion
(lithium-ion) rechargeable batteries as these may cause severe damage to your hearing aids. The table in chapter 5 explains exactly which type of battery your particular hearing aids require.
Remove the battery if you are not using your hearing aid for a long period of time.
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Special medical or dental examination including radiation described below, may adversely affect the correct functioning of your hearing aids. Remove and keep them outside the examination room/area before undergoing:
Medical or dental examination with X-ray
(also CT scan).
Medical examinations with
MRI/NMRI scans, generating magnetic fields.
Hearing aids don’t need to be removed when passing security gates (airports etc.). If X-ray is used at all, it will be in very low doses, and will not affect the hearing aids.
Do not use your hearing aid in areas where electronic equipment is prohibited.
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18. Important information: Cell phones
Some hearing aid users have reported a buzzing sound in their hearing aids when they are using cell phones.
According to the ANSI 63.19 (American National Standard
Methods of Measurement of Compatibility between
Wireless Communications Devices and Hearing
Instruments) standard, the compatibility of a particular hearing aid and cell phone can be predicted by adding the rating for the hearing aid immunity to the rating for the cell phone emissions. The sum of the hearing aid rating
(e.g. M2/T2=2) and the telephone rating (e.g. M3/T3=3) is
5, and any combination that equals 5 will provide “normal use”; a sum of 6 or greater would indicate “excellent performance”. The equipment performance measurements, categories and system classifications are based upon the best information available but cannot guarantee that all users will be satisfied. The immunity of this hearing aid is at least M2/T2.
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Note: the performance of individual hearing aids may vary with individual cell phones. Therefore, please try the hearing aid with your cell phone or, if you are purchasing a new phone, be sure to try it with your hearing aid prior to purchase. For additional guidance, please ask your hearing care professional for the booklet entitled “hearing aid compatibility with digital wireless cell phones”.
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19. For the US market only, complies with the FDA regulations
Warning to Hearing Aid Dispensers
A hearing aid dispenser should advise a prospective hearing aid user to consult promptly with a licensed physician
(preferably an ear specialist) before dispensing a hearing aid if the hearing aid 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.
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(i) Audiometric air-bone gap equal to or greater than
15 decibels at 500 hertz (Hz), 1,000 Hz, and 2,000 Hz.
(ii) Visible evidence of significant cerumen accumulation or a foreign body in the ear canal.
(iii) Pain or discomfort in the ear. Special care should be exercised in selecting and fitting a hearing aid whose maximum sound pressure level exceeds 132 decibels because there may be risk of impairing the remaining hearing of the hearing aid user. (This provision is required only for those hearing aids with a maximum sound pressure capability greater than 132 decibels
(dB).)
Important Notice for Prospective Hearing Aid 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 aid.
Licensed physicians who specialize in diseases of the ear are often referred to as otolaryngologists, otologists or otorhinolaryngologists. The purpose of medical evaluation
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is to assure that all medically treatable conditions that may affect hearing are identified and treated before the hearing aid 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 aid. The physician will refer you to an audiologist or a hearing aid dispenser, as appropriate, for a hearing aid evaluation.
The audiologist or hearing aid dispenser will conduct a hearing aid evaluation to assess your ability to hear with and without a hearing aid. The hearing aid evaluation will enable the audiologist or dispenser to select and fit a hearing aid 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 aid dispensers now offer programs that permit you to wear a hearing aid for a period of time for a nominal fee after which you may decide if you want to purchase the hearing aid.
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Federal law restricts the sale of hearing aids 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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20. Important notice for Prospective
Noise Generator users
The Tinnitus Balance noise generator is a broadband sound
Generator which may have been enabled in your hearing aid. It provides a means of sound enrichment that can be used as part of a personalized tinnitus management program to provide temporary relief from tinnitus. It should always be used as prescribed by your audiologist.
The underlying principle of sound enrichment is to provide supplementary noise stimulation which can help defocus your attention from your tinnitus and avoid negative reactions. Sound enrichment, coupled with instructional counseling, is an established approach to managing tinnitus.
Good health practice requires that a person reporting tinnitus have a medical evaluation by a licensed ear physician before using a sound generator. The purpose of such an evaluation is to ensure medically treatable conditions that may be causing tinnitus are identified and treated prior to using a sound generator.
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Should you develop any side effects whilst using the noise generator such as headaches, nausea, dizziness or heart palpitations or experience a decrease in auditory function, you should discontinue use and seek a medical evaluation.
According to OSHA (Occupational Safety & Health
Administration, U.S. Department of Labor) regulations, the volume of the noise generator can be set to a level which could lead to permanent hearing damage when used for a prolonged period of time. Should the noise generator be set to such a level in your hearing aid, your audiologist will advise you of the maximum amount of time per day you should use the noise generator. The noise generator should never be used at uncomfortable levels.
For more information visit www.phonak-us.com
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Notes
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Your hearing care professional:
Manufacturer:
Sonova AG
Laubisrütistrasse 28
CH-8712 Stäfa
Switzerland www.phonak-us.com

Public link updated
The public link to your chat has been updated.
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