Audina SPARO User manual

ver: 1.4 030110 INSTRUCTION MANUAL
Wearing
Comfort
Convenient
Functionality
Optimal
Performance
P.O. Box 877
Casselberry, FL 32718
www.audina.net
HEARING HEALTHCARE PROVIDER
MADE IN U.S.A.
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Welcome to a world of better hearing! We understand
that hearing loss affects one's quality of life. That is
why we are dedicated to building the highest quality
hearing instruments. Your new hearing instruments
will soon be indispensable to you and will bring new
pleasure and enjoyment to your life.
Our company was established in 1990 and is well-
known internationally for offering high quality,
reliable, state-of-the-art technology. These Over-the-
Ear (OTE) hearing instruments have been
programmed or adjusted to your individual hearing
loss to precisely fit your hearing and communication
requirements. If necessary, your hearing healthcare
provider can make further modifications to enhance
your listening experience.
A period of adjustment may be needed to become
accustomed to your new hearing aids and the renewed
world of sounds you will experience. The adjustment
time varies for each individual and may be as little as a
couple of weeks to as long as several months. Allow
yourself time to become familiar with those sounds you
have not heard for a long time.
Before operating your hearing instruments, please read
this manual thoroughly.
WELCOME
i
This manual contains user information
for the following SPARO hearing
instruments. Your hearing healthcare
provider will “3” the appropriate box
for your hearing instrument.
SPARO®12AD
SPARO®12
SPARO®AD
SPARO®
SPARO®2
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SPARO®Diagram ..................................1
Proper Placement on Ear ........................2
Left & Right Instruments ......................3
On/Off Function ....................................3
Battery Information ................................4
Cleaning Your Instrument ......................7
Caring For Your Instrument ................10
Telephone Use ......................................12
Push Button Memory ..........................12
Cell Phone Compatibility ....................13
Do's and Don'ts....................................15
Troubleshooting....................................17
Binaural Amplification..........................19
Children with Hearing Loss..................20
Warranty Information ..........................21
Service and Repair Information ............22
Notice to Prospective Users ..................23
Notice to Providers ..............................24
Serial Numbers ....................................25
Owner Information ..............................26
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ii
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proper placement
on ear
Your SPARO®hearing instruments should fit
comfortably and easily over the top of your
ears. Your hearing healthcare provider will
provide instruction on proper insertion and
removal.
Step 1: Place the
hearing instrument over
the top of your ear.
Step 2: With your
index finger, hold the
sound tube where it
attaches to the ear bud
and gently push the ear
bud into your ear canal
until it is just inside
your ear canal.
Step 3: Place the
retention guard of the
sound tube into the bowl
of your concha.
Be sure to open the battery
door after removing the
instruments from your ears,
this will turn the
instruments off and
conserve battery power.
1
Rear Microphone
3.
SPARO®design is
patent pending.
*Standard on the SPARO AD and SPARO, not available on the SPARO 2
2
2.
1.
*
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battery
information
When the hearing instrument is not in use, it
is recommended that you open the battery
door and remove the battery. This helps to
prevent excessive battery drain and allows for
proper ventilation of the hearing instrument.
The low battery detection system
continuously monitors battery life.
When the battery becomes low, the low
battery warning sequence consisting of 3
double beeps is initiated. After the warning
beeps are complete, normal operation
resumes.
The low battery warning sequence will repeat
every 10 minutes until the battery becomes
critically low. At that time, the end of the
battery life warning sequence consisting of 6
double beeps is issued. The device is then
muted and put into low power sleep mode.
Battery replacement will then be required.
The volume of the low battery indicator can
be adjusted by your hearing healthcare
provider.
4
left and right
instruments
If you are wearing hearing instruments on both
ears, it is important to use the correct device in
each ear. The sound tubes are marked with
“red” lettering for the Right ear and “blue”
lettering for the Left ear.
Turning the Hearing Aid On and Off:
To turn your hearing
instrument “on”,
you simply need to
close the battery
door after inserting a
battery.
There are two ways
to turn your hearing
instrument “off”:
1. Grasp the notch
on the battery door
and pull it until one
click is felt. Your
instrument is now “off”.
2. You may choose to open the battery door
completely which will also turn off the hearing
instrument.
3
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Step 3: Swing the
door into the closed
position. The
compartment should
close easily. Do not
force it. If resistance is
noted, check that the
battery is inserted
correctly.
The life of your hearing instruments' batteries
will vary depending on length of daily use,
listening environments, and how your hearing
instruments are programmed. When the
hearing instrument batteries go dead, remove
them immediately and replace them with new
batteries. Batteries may be purchased through
your hearing healthcare professional.
When your hearing instruments are not in use,
open the battery compartment to prevent
excessive battery drain and ventilate the
instruments.
Important: Always discard used batteries.
Small batteries can be harmful if swallowed.
Keep batteries out of the reach of pets and
small children. In case of ingestion, contact
your physician or call the National Button
Battery Hotline collect at [phone].
6
battery
information
To replace your hearing instrument battery,
follow these steps:
Step 1: Lift the
notch at the edge of
the compartment
and swing open the
door. Remove the
battery.
Step 2: Remove
the “yellow” colored
tab on the 10A
battery, slide in
the battery with
the “+” side up,
matching to the
“+” on the battery
compartment door.
5
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cleaning your
hearing instrument
7
The following instructions will assist in
extending the life of your hearing
instruments.
To Clean the exterior of the Instrument:
You should inspect your hearing instruments
daily and clean them periodically to control
wax buildup. To clean, very gently wipe the
surface with a soft, dry cloth or moist
cleaning wipes made especially for hearing
instruments. Do not allow water or liquid to
enter any openings on the instruments.
The sound tube delivers the amplified sound
from the hearing instrument into the ear. It
is important that these components fit
properly in your ear. The materials used in
your hearing instruments are of the highest
quality available, and the likelihood of an
allergic reaction is slight. If the sound tube or
the ear bud irritates your ear in any way,
contact your hearing healthcare provider.
Please don't attempt to modify the shape or
length of the sound tube yourself. The tube
and bud should be cleaned regularly
according to the instructions on the following
pages.
The wearing of a hearing instrument may
accelerate the accumulation of ear wax.
This can easily be removed by your physician
or in some cases your hearing healthcare
provider. You should not use cotton swabs to
clean your ears, due to the risk of pushing the
wax deeper into the ear canal.
To Clean the Sound Tube and Ear Bud
Remove the sound tube from the hearing
instrument by gently twisting the tube 90°
and pulling it straight off, away from the
main instrument.
Use a damp cloth to clean the exterior of the
sound tube and bud. Use the cleaning rod
(provided in storage case) to clean the sound
tube and bud. Lightly “push” the cleaning
rod through the
sound tube,
inserting at the
opening where
the tube attaches
to the body of
the instrument
and push out
through the bud.
8
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The sound tube and the bud may need to be
changed if the sound tube becomes stiff,
brittle, kinked or damaged. Only your hearing
healthcare professional should change the ear
bud. This is to prevent the bud from
detaching from the sound tube during
insertion into the ear. If your hearing
healthcare provider instructs you to change the
buds yourself, make sure they are securely
fastened to the sound tube before inserting
them in your ear. Failure to change the bud in
accordance with the instructions could result
in injury.
Hearing instruments are exposed to moisture
in the form of humidity and perspiration while
being worn. The daily use of a dehumidifying
system or drying kit approved by your hearing
healthcare provider is recommended. These
accessories may be purchased from your
hearing healthcare provider.
10
Do not rinse or submerge these parts in
water, there is a risk of damage if a water drop
becomes trapped in the sound tube. If this
should occur, it will prevent sound from
coming through the tube and may be harmful
to the instrument's electronics.
Re-attach the sound tube onto the body of
the instrument by holding the sound tube in
one hand and the hearing instrument in the
other hand. Line-up the sound tube and the
connecting end of the instrument, push the
sound tube straight on to the instrument
body. No need to rotate the sound tube
when re-attaching.
9
cleaning your
hearing instrument
caring for
your instrument
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caring for
your instrument
telephone use
Your SPARO hearing instrument allows you
to use the phone as you normally do -
holding the phone up to your ear. If you
experience discomfort from the bud pressing
in your ear canal, you may need a different
size sound tube. If this occurs, contact your
hearing healthcare professional.
Push Button Multi-Memory
These hearing aids feature multiple memories
for different environmental settings and
listening situations. The push-button control
is used to switch between memories that have
been programmed for different situations.
Your hearing healthcare provider will discuss
these options with you and program the
memories accordingly.
Adaptive Directionality™
If your hearing aid is equipped with
Adaptive Directionality, it automatically
switches between omni and directional
microphones depending on the environment.
This feature eliminates the need to push a
button when in different listening situations,
allowing hands-free operation of your hearing
instrument. Ask your hearing healthcare
provider if Adaptive Directionality is a
featured option on your hearing instrument.
1211
The most common causes of hearing
instrument repair are wax and moisture. If
you are encountering recurrent repairs, please
discuss the various wax/moisture prevention
systems and accessories with your hearing
healthcare provider.
Sound Inlet Filters
Your SPARO hearing instrument is equipped
with a filter. This filter is located at the front
and top of the instrument and prevents
moisture and debris from getting into the
hearing instrument. If the hearing instrument
seems to have lost power and changing the
battery does not correct the situation, the filter
may be blocked and needs to be changed.
Consult your hearing healthcare provider to
have the filter checked.
Extended Storage
If it is necessary to store your hearing
instruments for an extended amount of time,
follow the steps below for proper storage.
1. Remove the batteries.
2. Clean the instrument according to
instructions on page 7.
3. Place the instruments in a cool, dry place.
Either their original container or a hearing
instrument dehumidifier is recommended.
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cell phone
compatibility
1413
Some hearing aid users have reported a
buzzing sound in their hearing aids when
they are using cell phones, indicating that
the cell phone and hearing aid may not be
compatible. According to the ANSI C63.19
standard (ANSI C63.19-2006 American
National Standard Methods of Measurement
of Compatibility Between Wireless
Communications Devices and Hearing Aids),
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. For
example, the sum of a hearing aid rating of 2
(M2/T2) and a telephone rating of 3 (M3/T3)
would result in a combined rating of 5. Any
combined rating that equals at least 5 would
provide “normal use;” a combined rating of 6
or greater would indicate “excellent
performance.”
The immunity of this hearing aid is at least
M2/T2. The equipment performance
measurements, categories and system
classifications are based upon the best
information available but cannot guarantee
that all users will be satisfied.
NOTE: The performance of individual hearing
aids may vary with individual cell phones.
Therefore, please try this 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 cell phone provider for the
booklet entitled "Hearing Aid Compatibility
with Digital Wireless Cell Phones."
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DON'T leave your hearing instruments on the
radiator, near a stove, in a sunny window, in a
car or in any other hot place. Excessive heat
and cold can damage the instruments.
DON'T wear the hearing instruments when
using a hair dryer at home or when at the
beauty salon, spa or barber.
DON'T wear the hearing instruments when
having medical tests done such as MRI, X-rays
or CT scans; as different types of radiation
may damage the hearing instrument.
DON'T apply hair spray when wearing your
hearing instruments. It may damage the
microphone and erode the faceplate.
DON'T wear the instruments while taking a
bath, shower, spa treatment or while
swimming.
DON'T store the instruments in the bathroom
during a shower or near a steam room as
moisture created by the steam may cause
damage.
16
the do's and don'ts
of hearing aid care
DO store the instruments overnight in a
hearing aid dehumidifier to absorb
moisture (Be sure and remove batteries
first).
DO always carry spare batteries.
DO replace the battery when the low-
battery warning beep sequence begins.
DO always care for your instrument as
outlined in this manual.
DO dry the battery contacts with a
cotton swab in cases of humid weather
or heavy perspiration.
DO safely store hearing instruments
when not in use. Keep them out of the
reach of small children and pets.
DO remove your hearing instruments if
you are going to have X-rays at your
dentist or medical facility. It is best to
keep them outside the room of the X-ray
equipment.
15
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Sound is Distorted or Unclear:
• Replace the battery.
• Hearing instruments may have a poor battery
contact or may not be programmed properly.
Return to your hearing healthcare provider.
Intermittent Sound:
• Replace the battery.
• Ensure that there is no wax or debris in the
sound tube.
• Hearing instruments may have a poor battery
contact. Return to your hearing healthcare
provider.
Too Much Bass:
• Hearing instruments may need
reprogramming. Return to your hearing
healthcare provider.
Static Noise:
• Replace the battery.
• If you are near an electromagnetic field (i.e.
near a computer screen or fluorescent lights),
step away to see if the static clears.
• Hearing instruments may have a poor battery
contact. Return to your hearing healthcare
provider.
18
troubleshooting
guidelines
No Sound:
• Ensure that hearing instruments are turned on.
• Replace the battery.
• Ensure that there is no wax or debris in the
sound tube.
Whistling / Feedback:
• Ensure that hearing instruments are properly
placed up, behind the ear and ear bud is put
into the ear canal.
• Excessive earwax, improperly sized
instruments, and large vents can cause
whistling. Contact your hearing healthcare
provider.
Not loud enough:
• Replace the battery.
• Ensure that there is no wax or debris in the
sound tube.
• Ensure that hearing instruments are properly
placed up, behind the ear and ear bud is put
into the ear canal.
• Excessive earwax can prevent sound from
entering the ear. Contact your physician or
hearing healthcare provider.
• Changes in your hearing loss can affect how
you hear with a hearing aid. Contact your
hearing healthcare provider if you suspect any
change in your hearing status.
17
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binaural
amplification
children with
hearing loss
Hearing loss can be improved, in most cases,
through medicine, surgery, or with hearing
instruments. Hearing aids are the most
commonly chosen option.
Today's hearing instruments are quite small in
size and feature sophisticated electronics that
accommodate a wide variety of hearing losses.
Nature gave us two ears for a reason and since
the majority of people who have a hearing
loss are affected in both ears, two (binaural)
hearing instruments are typically
recommended. Two hearing instruments
should provide these benefits:
• Better overall sound quality when
compared to one hearing instrument
(“stereo sound”).
• The ability to locate a sound source in
noisy and normal listening conditions.
• Increased ability to understand speech in
noisy and normal listening conditions.
• A sensation of balanced hearing.
Talk with your hearing healthcare provider
about what is best for you. Even the best
technology can't do the work of two ears!
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 education 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.
19 20
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warranty
information
returning
for service
Please see your hearing healthcare provider regarding
your specific warranty information. Our guarantee
covers any defect in material or faulty production,
except cords and batteries. We will, at our option,
repair or replace the instruments or any defective part,
at our expense, within the limits of the warranty.
This warranty will become invalid if the hearing
instruments have been tampered with or altered in
any way, or if the serial number has been altered,
effaced, removed, or if any repairs have been made
without authorization.
This warranty does not include a promise of specific
hearing improvement because that depends upon your
audiologic needs, proper fitting and adjustments by
your hearing healthcare provider and proper use by
the owner.
Any implied warranty shall be limited to two years
from date of purchase. The only entity or individual
who is authorized to perform the warranty obligations
is the manufacturer. All in-house warranty work
performed by the manufacturer will be done within
a reasonable period of time. If warranty work is
performed and there appears to be a defect, mal-
function, or failure to conform to the warranty,
the obligations will be met if brought to our
attention within one month from the date of
the original warranty work.
This warranty is specifically limited to the scope set
forth herein, and may not in any way be expanded by
the other oral or written representations.
You should visit your hearing healthcare provider
if your hearing instruments are in need of service.
If you no longer have a hearing healthcare
provider and are in need of one, you may contact
Audina and we will assist you in finding one in
your area. If you are unable to visit a hearing
healthcare provider, you may send your hearing
aids directly to the manufacturer.
Before planning to return your instruments for
repair, please refer to the troubleshooting chart on
the preceding pages. Many times these solutions
can prevent the time and cost associated with a
repair.
If you need to send your instruments directly to
the manufacturer, carefully pack your instruments
in a sturdy box and send it to:
Audina® Hearing Instruments, Inc.
P. O. Box 877
Casselberry, FL 32718-0877
You must include your current phone number
and home address. There is a $25 charge to cover
shipping and handling. Please include a check,
payable to Audina Hearing Instruments, Inc. for
said amount when sending your instruments for
service. It is recommended to purchase shipping
insurance when sending your hearing aids to the
manufacturer.
If your hearing instruments are out of warranty,
we will assist you in finding a hearing healthcare
provider in your local area.
21 22
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notice to
prospective users
notice for hearing
healthcare providers
Good health practice requires that a person with a
hearing loss have a medical exam by a licensed
physician, who specializes in diseases of the ear,
before purchasing a hearing instrument.
Licensed physicians who specialize in the diseases of
the ear are often referred to as Otologists,
Otolaryngologists (ear, nose and throat - ENT) or
Otorhinolaryngologists.
The purpose of a medical evaluation is to assure that
all medically treatable conditions that may affect
hearing are identified and treated before the hearing
instrument is purchased. Following the medical
evaluation, the physician will give you a written
statement that your hearing loss has been medically
evaluated and that you may be considered a
candidate for a hearing instrument.
A hearing specialist will conduct an evaluation to
assess your ability to hear. The hearing instrument
evaluation will enable the hearing specialist to select
and fit a hearing instrument to your individual
needs. Federal law restricts the sale of hearing
instruments to those individuals who have obtained
a medical evaluation from a licensed physician.
Federal law allows 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 interest, and its use is
strongly discouraged.
Hearing healthcare providers should advise a
prospective hearing instrument user to consult
promptly with a licensed physician (preferably an
ear specialist) before dispensing a hearing
instrument if the hearing healthcare provider
determines through inquiry, actual observation, or
review of any other available information, that the
prospective user has any of the following
conditions:
• Visible congenital or traumatic deformity of
the ear.
• History of active drainage from the ear within
the previous 90 days.
• History of sudden or rapidly progressive
hearing loss within the previous 90 days.
• Acute or chronic dizziness.
• Unilateral hearing loss of sudden or recent
onset within the previous 90 days.
• Audiometric air-bone gap greater than or equal
to 15 decibels at 500 Hertz (Hz), 1000 Hz,
and 2000 Hz.
• Visible evidence of significant cerumen (wax)
accumulation or a foreign body in the ear
canal.
• Pain or discomfort in the ear.
Special care should be exercised in selecting and
fitting a hearing instrument which has a
maximum sound pressure level in excess of 132
dB (decibels) because there may be a risk of
damaging the remaining hearing of the hearing
instrument user.
23 24
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interpretation of
serial number
Model:
Serial Numbers:
Left:
Right:
Purchase Date:
Battery Size:
Memory Set-Up:
Memory A:
Memory B:
Memory C:
Memory D:
Original Warranty Expires:
Hearing Healthcare Provider:
OWNER INFORMATION
26
Each hearing instrument has its own unique
number located on the exterior of the hearing
aid. The first two digits of the serial number
represent the year in which the instrument was
manufactured.
25
serial number
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