Intended Use. ReSound Interton Stage ITE

to sign a waiver statement declining the medical evaluation for religious or personal be­ liefs 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 because 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 hearing loss .

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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 .

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(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 .

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Eight steps towards better hearing

You need to get used to your new hearing instrument . Sounds seem new and different .

That is because you grew accustomed to your diminished hearing . Therefore, familiar sounds seem strange or unnatural at first . Every first­time user of a hearing instrument responds differently to this . Some can wear the new instrument a whole day right from the start, while others find it hard to get used to .

After a while, you will notice you appreciate hearing with a hearing instrument and that you will find it quite normal . Below, eight steps are described that will guide you through the initial period . If you are not satisfied or keep experiencing problems, please consult your hearing care professional .

1. Get used to familiar sounds at home

Try to get used to the new sounds from a familiar environment . Listen to the different

(background) sounds and try to recognize them . When you are tired from listening, re­ move your instrument and pause for a while . Talk or read aloud for a while . In that way you will familiarize yourself with the sound of your own voice . Gradually, you will learn to use the instrument for longer and become more comfortable with it .

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2. Listen outside; quiet & traffic

Go outside to a quiet place, e .g ., the park or woods . Listen to the environmental sounds .

Do you recognize them? Please be careful with sounds from heavy traffic at this stage of getting used to your instrument . Sometimes it sounds very loud .

3. Have a conversation with a single person

Use your instrument in conversation with one person, a family member or a friend .

Move to a quiet spot . Explain that you are now wearing a hearing instrument . Ask the other person to talk normally . Look at your conversation partner . If your instrument is tuned to your requirements you will be able to communicate better than before .

4. Listen to radio or television

Listen to the radio or television . Start with the news, then turn to another program . Ask a ‘normal hearing’ person to set the volume of your radio or television to a comfortable level . If necessary, adjust the volume on your hearing instrument .

If you cannot understand the radio or television, ask your hearing care professional to adjust your hearing instrument . He or she is able to inform you on other facilities, such as an induction loop system at home for your radio or television .

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