Advanced Affordable Hearing HearClear HCZ3 User manual

Hearing Aid User Manual
HearClear™
HCZ3

1
Table Of Contents
FDA Required Information ........................................... 2-5
Package Contents .......................................................... 6
Your Product Information ............................................... 7
Preface........................................................................... 8
HearClear™ HCZ3 Features............................................. 9
HearClear™ HCZ3 Assembly ..........................................10
Batteries........................................................................11
Choosing Domes ..................................................... 12-13
Turning On/Off ..............................................................14
Storing Your HCZ3.........................................................15
How To Put Your HCZ3 On .............................................16
How To Talk On The Phone ............................................17
Thick Tube Assembly .............................................. 18-19
Cleaning and Maintenance ............................................20
Cleaning Tubes..............................................................21
Volume and Program Settings .......................................22
HCZ3 Trimmer Adjustments ..........................................23
Troubleshooting ...................................................... 24-27
Benets Of 2 Hearing Aids.............................................28
Warranty, Repairs and Returns.......................................29
Special Statements and Information........................ 30-32

2
WARNING: People younger than 18 should go to a
doctor before using this. People younger than 18 years
old need specialized care, and using this without a
medical evaluation may worsen impairment or disability.
A hearing aid user who is younger than 18 should have
a recent medical evaluation from a doctor, preferably
an ear-nose-throat doctor (an ENT). Before using this, a
doctor should determine that the use of a hearing aid is
appropriate.
WARNING to Hearing Aid Dispensers:
You should advise a prospective hearing aid user to consult
promptly with a doctor, preferably an ear specialist such as
an ENT, before dispensing a hearing aid if you determine
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:
• Visible deformity of the ear, either congenital or
traumatic
• Fluid, pus, or blood coming out of the ear within the
previous 6 months
• Pain or discomfort in the ear
• History of excessive ear wax or suspicion that
something is in the ear canal
• Dizziness, either recent or long-standing
• Sudden, quickly worsening, or uctuating hearing loss
within the previous 6 months
• Hearing loss or ringing (tinnitus) only in one ear or a
noticeable difference in hearing between ears
• Audiometric air-bone gap equal to or greater than 15 dB
FDA Required Information

2 3
at 500 Hz, 1000 Hz, and 2000 Hz
WARNING to Hearing Aid Dispenser, Outputs over 132 dB
SPL:
You should exercise special care in selecting and tting a
hearing aid with a maximum output that exceeds 132 dB
SPL because it may impair the remaining hearing of the
hearing aid user.
Caution: This is not hearing protection.
You should remove this device if you experience overly loud
sounds, whether short or long-lasting. If you’re in a loud
place, you should use the right kind of hearing protection
instead of wearing this device In general, if you would use
ear plugs in a loud place, you should remove this device
and use ear plugs.
Caution: The sound output should not be uncomfortable
or painful.
You should turn down the volume or remove the device if
the sound output is uncomfortably loud or painful. If you
consistently need to turn the volume down, you may need
to further adjust your device.
Caution: You might need medical help if a piece gets stuck
in your ear.
If any part of your hearing aid, like the ear tip, gets stuck in
your ear, and you can’t easily remove it with your ngers,
get medical help as soon as you can. You should not try to
use tweezers or cotton swabs because they can push the
part farther into your ear, injuring your eardrum or ear canal,
possibly seriously.
Note: What you might expect when you start using a
hearing aid
A hearing aid can benet many people with hearing loss.
FDA Required Information

4
However, you should know it will not restore normal
hearing, and you may still have some diculty hearing over
noise. Further, a hearing aid will not prevent or improve a
medical condition that causes hearing loss.
People who start using hearing aids sometimes need a few
weeks to get used to them. Similarly, many people nd that
training or counseling can help them get more out of their
devices.
If you have hearing loss in both ears, you might get more
out of using hearing aids in both, especially in situations
that make you tired from listening – for example, noisy
environments.
Note: Tell FDA about injuries, malfunctions, or other
adverse events.
To report a problem involving your hearing aid, you should
submit information to FDA as soon as possible after the
problem. FDA calls them “adverse events,” and they might
include: skin irritation in your ear, injury from the device
(like cuts or scratches, or burns from an overheated
battery), pieces of the device getting stuck in your ear,
suddenly worsening hearing loss from using the device,
etc.
Instructions for reporting are available at https://www.fda.
gov/Safety/MedWatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088. You can
also download a form to mail to FDA.
Note: Hearing loss in people younger than 18
• People younger than 18 should see a doctor rst,
preferably an ear-nose-throat doctor (an ENT), because
they may have different needs than adults.
• The doctor will identify and treat medical conditions as
appropriate.
FDA Required Information

4 5
• The doctor may refer the person to an audiologist for a
separate test, a hearing aid evaluation.
• The hearing aid evaluation will help the audiologist
select and t the appropriate hearing aid.
A person who is younger than 18 years old with hearing
loss should have a medical evaluation by a doctor,
preferably an ENT, before buying a hearing aid. The purpose
of a medical evaluation is to identify and treat medical
conditions that may affect hearing but that a hearing aid
won’t treat on its own.
Following the medical evaluation and if appropriate, the
doctor will provide a written statement that the hearing
loss has been medically evaluated and the person is a
candidate for a hearing aid. The doctor may refer the
person to an audiologist for a hearing aid evaluation, which
is different from the medical evaluation and is intended to
identify the appropriate hearing aid.
The audiologist will conduct a hearing aid evaluation
to assess the person’s ability to hear with and without
a hearing aid. This will enable the audiologist to select
and t a hearing aid for the person’ individual needs. An
audiologist can also provide evaluation and rehabilitation
since, for people younger than 18, hearing loss may cause
problems in language development and educational and
social growth. An audiologist is qualied by training and
experience to assist in the evaluation and rehabilitation of
hearing loss in people younger than 18.
FDA Required Information

6
Package Contents
Note: Items and quantities shown are for a single hearing
aid; quantities may change for a pair. The contents of this
package are subject to change any time.
5
1
4
2 3
6
1) Size 13 Batteries
2) HCZ3 Hearing Aid
3) Storage Case
4) Cleaning Filament
5) Dome Variety
6) Brush/Screwdriver

6 7
Your Product Information
Record Your HCZ3 Information:
Your Serial Number(s):
Warranty Included With Your HCZ3:
Standard 6 Month Manufacturer Warranty
(If you purchased an Advanced Care Extended Warranty
plan, please see warranty certicate for details.)
Tube and Dome Sizes You Use:
Battery Size:
Size 13, or orange
6mm
Open
Magic
9mm
Open
Magic
10mm
Closed
Magic
Sample domes printed at approximate size.
Notes:

8
Congratulations on becoming the new owner
of a HearClear™ HCZ3 hearing aid!
Welcome to the Advanced Affordable Hearing family!
Our products have helped thousands of satised customers
in all corners of the globe. We are passionate about
helping you nd an affordable solution to your hearing
loss challenges. Your new HCZ3 is the perfect mix of price
and quality, and we are condent it will help you hear more
clearly.
Becoming comfortable with using the HCZ3 will take time
and patience. Practice wearing your HCZ3 while speaking
with friends and family, watching TV and listening to music.
Intent Of Hearing Aids
Hearing aids help people with diminished hearing by
amplifying and correcting the sounds around them. The
amplication helps to compensate for your hearing loss
and allows you to connect more clearly with those around
you.
Precautions
If you have an ear infection, it is highly recommended
that you do not wear a hearing aid until the infection has
cleared up. Please consult with a hearing healthcare
professional or your doctor prior to resuming use.
IMPORTANT:Please take time to carefully read
through this entire manual to learn how to use the
HCZ3 and ensure optimal performance!
Preface

8 9
HearClear™ HCZ3 Features
1) Microphone
2) Volume Control Wheel
3) Trimmer (H, P) Cover
4) Program Button
5) Battery Door
6) Hearing Tube
7) Dome
Important: Allow 4-8 weeks for your brain to adjust
to sounds with your new hearing aids. The more you
wear them, the quicker your brain will adjust.
Helpful Tip:When you start to use your hearing aids,
you may experience your voice sounding “plugged
up” or too loud. This occlusion effect is normal, and
usually goes away within the rst few weeks.
5
1
3
4
26
7

10
Assembling the HearClear™ HCZ3
With these 3 simple steps, you’ll have your hearing aid
assembled in no time! If you purchased the Power Upgrade
please go to “Power Upgrade (Thick Tubing) Assembly” on
page 18.
Step 1
Select the hearing tube with the
blue numbering for the hearing
aid you are going to wear on
your left ear.
Select the hearing tube with the
red numbering for the hearing
aid you are going to wear on
your right ear.
Step 2
Choose the dome that ts
you best and connect it to the
hearing tube by pushing the
dome over the grooves on the
tube until it is secure.
Step 3
Align the hearing tube over the
brass tting that sticks out of
the HCZ3 casing. Twist the
tube onto the brass tting in a
clockwise direction until it ts
snugly against the HCZ3 casing.
HearClear™ HCZ3 Assembly

10 11
Putting A New Battery In Your HCZ3
Step 1
The HCZ3 uses a size 13 hearing
aid battery. When placing a new
battery in your HCZ3, grip the
HCZ3 and press your thumb
against the swinging door.
Step 2
Remove the protective foil sticker
from the new battery. Wait 1-2
minutes before inserting it in the
hearing aid. (This activates the
zinc-air battery, allowing it time to
breathe, and increasing the overall
battery life.)
Step 3
Insert the battery with the
positive(+) side (or completely at
side) facing up and insert it into
the battery door.
Step 4
Gently close the battery door until
you hear it click shut. It should
be able to close easily. If not, it is
inserted improperly.
Batteries

12
Batteries Cont’d and Choosing Domes
Low Battery Warning
When the battery life is expiring, you will hear a low battery
warning (one short beep). This warning will continue
intermittently until you replace the old battery with a fresh
new one. After the rst warning, it is normal to experience
some reduction in sound quality.
Choosing The Correct Dome
Your HearClear™ HCZ3 is shipped with a variety of domes in
different sizes and styles. This allows you to select the dome
that provides you with maximum comfort and hearing.
Open Style Domes
Open domes have openings for sound
to pass through from outside of the
hearing aid. They are intended for people
with noticeable to moderate and high
frequency losses. These domes work
great for people who use lower volume
settings (because whistling may occur
with higher volumes). The openings allow
some natural sound to pass into your ear
and provide more ventilation.
Closed Domes
Closed domes provide a seal for the ear
canal, which helps trap sound. These
domes offer more volume and are helpful
to those who have trouble hearing low
frequency sounds. They can also help
eliminate feedback.

12 13
Choosing Domes Cont’d
Double Domes
Double closed domes are intended for
people with signicant to severe losses.
Double closed domes have a “double
dome” appearance with the second
dome acting as an additional sound
seal. In addition to providing the same
functionality as regular closed domes,
double closed domes can provide
additional volume and less feedback.
Other Sizes:
The domes shipped with the HCZ3 t a majority of people
with hearing loss. However, if you nd you need a bigger or
smaller tting, feel free to call our customer service line at
1-888-570-2740 for more options.
Helpful Tip: To achieve the best hearing aid
experience and most comfortable t we recommend
trying all the supplied dome sizes.
Helpful Tip: Try a closed or double closed dome to
avoid whistling and/or feedback when the volume is
at higher settings.
IMPORTANT: Keep hearing aids, batteries, tubes,
domes and other small parts away from children, pets
and water!

14
Turning Your HCZ3 ON/OFF
Turning ON the HCZ3
Once the battery is gently inserted
with the positive side facing up,
there will be a 10 second delay
before the HCZ3 begins to operate.
Turning OFF the HCZ3
Simply open the battery door
(and keep it open) to turn off the
device. Keep your HCZ3 in a safe
place when not in use to avoid
accidental loss or damage.
Important: Handle the battery door gently. If the
battery is inserted incorrectly, the door will not
close easily. Never force the door open or closed.
Breakage could occur.
Helpful Tip: To extend battery life, turn the HCZ3
OFF by opening the battery door when not in use.
Turning On/O

14 15
Storing Your Device
Store your hearing aid with the battery door open in a safe,
dry, cool place until the next use. (Note: Remember to
remove the battery if your hearing aid is not being used
for long periods of time.) Also, remove your hearing aid(s)
while sleeping, to allow your ear canals to dry.
Recommended Products
If your living situation has a high humidity that can cause
extra perspiration we recommend that you purchase either
a Dry Aid Jar or a Dry and Store Box. By simply keeping
your HCZ3 in either of these products overnight you will
extend the life of your hearing aid and keep it in a safe and
secure location.
Dry Aid Jar Dry & Store Box
If you would like more information or to purchase a Dry
Aid Jar or a Dry & Store Box please call us at
1-888-570-2740, or email
[email protected]
Storing Your HCZ3

16
How To Put Your Hearing Aid On
Step 1
Once assembled, hang the hearing aid so it
rests over the top of your ear.
Step 2
Gently insert the dome end of the tube
into your ear canal until it ts snuggly and
comfortably (it should be completely inside
your ear canal opening).
Step 3
Wrap the retention cord (the clear plastic
tail) into the bottom of the outer bowl of
your ear using your index nger. It can be
trimmed shorter to t the size of your ear.
(You may want to le the end if it is too
sharp after cutting.)
Step 4
Check to see if you’re wearing the correct
dome size, by gently shaking your head
up and down and then side to side, while
chewing. If the dome slides out, it’s too
small. If you wear glasses, place the arm
between the HCZ3 and your head.
Important: Never insert the hearing tube into the ear
canal without a dome attached. Also, do not force
the tube and dome too deep into your ear canal.
How To Put Your HCZ3 On

16 17
How To Talk On The Phone
Talking on the phone can often lead to feedback from your
hearing aid. Follow these steps to have the best phone
experience with the HCZ3.
Step 1
Set the program on your HCZ3 to 4 to
reduce the feedback while on the phone.
Your HCZ3 should make 4 beeps when you
are in the right program.
Step 2
Take your phone and hold it close, being
careful not to press it against the hearing
aid. If feedback occurs try other positions
and volume settings until you nd that the
feedback disappears.
Step 3
If feedback is persistent, turn your phone
to the speaker function mode and hold it
a few inches distance from your head. Try
both options to make sure you nd the
right one for you.
How To Talk On The Phone

18
Power Upgrade (Thick Tubing) Assembly
If you were advised to use the Power Upgrade (an earhook
and thick tubing), please read all the directions below to t
your tubing properly.
How To Attach The Earhook and Thick Tubing
Your hearing aid is sent to you with the standard thin tubing
already attached.
To attach the Power Upgrade (thick tubing), the thin tubing
must be removed and replaced with the earhook.
Step 1
To remove the thin tubing,
pinch the hard clear plastic
pyramid attached to the hearing
aid and turn counterclockwise
until removed.
Step 2
Attach the earhook where the
thin tube was by placing it on
top of the brass grooves and
turn clockwise until it ts
snugly and is aligned with the
hearing aid.
Step 3
Choose the suitable dome and
push it onto the thick tube.
Thick Tube Assembly