General Hearing Simplicity Hi-Fi EP User manual

General Hearing Instruments, Inc.
175 Brookhollow
Harahan, LA 70123
www.generalhearing.com
MADE in USA
OWNER’S MANUAL
HI-FI EXTENDED PLAY

Device Information
Left serial no.
Right serial no.
Purchase date:
PLEASE READ BEFORE WEARING DEVICES...
If this is your rst experience in wearing high delity devices, it is important
to know that you should expect to hear improved clarity of sound and ease
of understanding in every day situations. Do not expect to experience an
overwhelming sense of loudness or amplication. It’s best that you avoid the
temptation to immediately turn the volume wheel to its maximum setting.
After wearing the devices a few days, gradually increase the volume as
needed.
We recommend using your new device(s) each day and be patient!
You will soon discover you are hearing everyday sounds that you may not
have heard for a long time.

CONGRATULATIONS !
You have made a significant step toward improving your life by joining
thousands of satisfied customers currently using quality hearing devices
from General Hearing Instruments.
The Simplicity Hi-Fidelity device has been specifically developed for those
who have difficulty understanding speech in the presence of background
noise. You will find speech not just louder, but clearer and easier to under-
stand.
Please review the DVD and manual carefully. They contain valuable
information that will help you achieve maximum benefit from your new
Simplicity device and properly care for it.
Be patient with your new hearing system. Learning to use the device will
require a period of adjustment. It may take a little time to become totally
familiar with the operation of the device and hearing certain sounds again.
Use of a hearing aid is only part of hearing habilitation and may need to be
supplemented by auditory training and instruction in lipreading.
Simplicity Warranty Policy
This “Limited Warranty” as dened in the Consumer Product Warranty
and Federal Trade Commission Improvement Act gives you specic legal
rights. You may have additional rights which vary from state to state.
Service Labor: For a period of 1 year from the consumer’s original
purchase date, General Hearing will service your hearing device at no
charge as a result of defective parts or workmanship.
Parts: Defective parts will be replaced at no charge with new or
equivalent parts for 1 year from the consumer’s original purchase date.
Any replacement parts are warranted for the remaining portion of the
original warranty period.
22

21
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Device Reference ................... 1
Color Codes ............................ 2
Battery Insertion ...................... 3
Testing the Device ................... 4
Operation of Device ................ 5
Device Insertion ...................... 6
Battery Information ................. 7
Feedback ............................... 8
Daily Maintenance ................... 9
PolyTube Removal ................ 10
PolyTube Cleaning ................ 11
Troubleshooting ........................ 12
Precautions ............................... 13
Important Notice ........................ 14
Important Notice Con’t .............. 15
Warning to Dispensers ............... 16
About Your Hearing Device ........ 17
Performance Data ..................... 18
Performance Data cont. ............. 19
Features .................................... 20
Repair Service ........................... 21
Warranty Coverage ................... 22
If you have viewed the Quick-Start DVD and reviewed the troubleshooting
section of this manual and you are still experiencing difficulty with your
Simplicity device, servicing of the device may be required.
All Simplicity device repairs are handled through the ReadyWearExpress
Service Center. There is a processing fee for repairs during the warranty
period. The processing fee includes inspection, cleaning, preventive main-
tenance, and return shipping and handling. Our website offers complete
information regarding repair service: www.readywearexpress.com
ReadyWear Express Service Center
PMB #144
5860 Citrus Blvd. Suite D
River Ridge, LA 70123
Call: [phone] (customer service)
E-mail: [e-mail]
Visit: www.readywearexpress.com
REPAIR SERVICE
HI-FI EXTENDED PLAY

20 1
DEVICE REFERENCE
Microphone port
Volume control
#312 Battery
compartment
Sound port with
dome ex tip
Retention cord
Ear hook
Tube connector
base
• Amplies only quiet sounds; and is acoustically transparent for loud sounds
• Utilizes a variable-time-constant automatic gain control circuit that virtually eliminates
the audible breathy sound
• Automatic circuit operates two electronic controls: a volume control to make quiet
sounds audible and a tone compression/expansion circuit to give selective treble
boost
• Manual volume control allows users to set the Simplicity™ Hi-Fidelity OTE to their
specic comfortable listening level in any situation
• Designed to provide longer battery life
• Built-in LOWBAT™ warning signal system
• Equipped with state of the art electronics
• Thin micro poly tube design offers comfort and exibilit extended wear time
• Miniature case gives a sleek appearance that is virtually invisible to others
• Transparent ear canal resonance with open-t format
• Incredibly long battery life of over 500+ hrs
DEVICE FEATURES

2 19
COLOR CODE REFERENCE
Simplicity devices have been color coded to
help distinguish a left device from a right one.
Look closely at the base of the Sound Port
Dome. It will be imprinted with either red or
blue stamp. The red color indicates the right
ear and blue for the left. For future reference
the devices themselves are made for either
ear, only the poly-tubes are ear-specific.
It is recommended that you change the poly-
tube approximately every three months or
sooner if they crack or become discolored.
Refer to pages 10 and 11 for proper cleaning
and replacement instructions.
Red or Blue
color stamp
Averaging Frequencies
1000 Hz
1,600 Hz
2,500 Hz
OSPL 90 Curve RESP Curve
120
110
100
90
80
70
60
50
(dB)
Freq. ................2000 Hz
Attack ..............0 mS
Release ...........833 mS

18 3
BATTERY INSERTION AND REMOVAL
Your new Simplicity uses a zinc-air #312
battery (brown tab). Do not remove the air
activation tab until you are ready to install
the battery.
To open the battery door, place your thumb-
nail under the lip of the door and gently
lift. Note: The battery has two distinct sides.
The positive side (+) is flat and the nega-
tive side (-) is rounded. Insert the round
side first into the battery door. If properly
seated, the flat side should be flush with
the top of the battery door. The battery door
should easily snap shut. Do not use force to
close the door, damage to the device may
result.
To remove the battery, open the door and push the battery up and away
from the lipped side of the door or use the magnetic end of the utility brush
to easily lift out the battery.
MAX OSPL90 : 110.6 dB
AT........................700 Hz.
HF AVG ............... 101.8 dB
HF AVF F.O.G. ..... 23.7 dB
Reference Test Gain
Target: ................. 24.8 dB
Measured: ...........22.6 dB
Response Limit: 45.3 dB
F1 = ....................202 Hz
F2 = ....................6,000 Hz
Eq. Input Noise 27 dB
Battery (1.3V) .......0.31 mA
THD FREQ SRC
0.9% 500 Hz. 70 dB
0.2% 800 Hz 70 dB
1.0% 1,600 Hz 65 dB
100
90
80
70
60
5060708090
(dbSPL)
Battery Drain ...........................0.31 mA
Battery Life (312) ..................... 510 Hrs.
PERFORMANCE DATA

4 17
ABOUT YOUR HEARING DEVICE...
Try to wear your hearing device daily. Occasional use will not allow you to
attain full benefit from your hearing device. Allow for a period of adjust-
ment in your routine listening environment. It will take a period of time to
become fully adjusted to hearing certain sounds again.
If you have purchased a single device, we suggest that you consider pur-
chasing a device for your other ear. Amplification for both ears provides
a sense of hearing balance and allows you to reduce the amount of volume
needed by a single device.
Hearing devices will not restore normal hearing and will not prevent or
improve a hearing impairment.
Discontinue use of your device(s) and consult with your physician if you
notice any of the following symptoms:
•skin irritation
•increased production of earwax
•any pain associated with the ear
TESTING THE DEVICE
To ensure your Simplicity device is functioning
properly, perform the following sound test.
Insert a fresh battery into device and close the
door. Turn the volume up to its maximun setting.
Cup the device in your hand and hold it close to
your ear. You should hear a high-pitched sound
called feedback. If you don’t hear anything, check
to ensure the battery is correctly installed and the
door is fully closed. Ensure the volume control is
turned to the “Full On” position. If you still don’t
hear any whistling, then try a fresh battery.
If you continue to experience silence from the device, technical sup-
port is available at www.readywearexpress.com (see page 21 for contact
info). When successful testing is complete, proceed to Device Insertion
section on the next page.

16 5
OPERATION OF DEVICE
To turn your device on:
Insert battery into battery door. Close the door and
rotate the volume control slowly to the right.
To turn your device off:
Rotate volume control to the left. You should feel a
slight click when full “off” position is achieved. Do
not force the volume control, damage may occur.
Or, open battery door fully so that the battery is
no longer making contact with the device. This
will allow you to leave the volume control at your
favorite listening level without readjustment.
Note: If you detect a high pitched whistling sound
coming from the device, turn down the volume
slightly, check the positioning of the sound tube in
your ear, then slowly increase the volume to a desired level.
WARNING TO HEARING DEVICE DISPENSERS
If you are currently experiencing any of the following conditions listed be-
low or start to experience any of these conditions while wearing your hear-
ing device, discontinue use immediately and consult with licensed physi-
cian (preferably an ENT) before continuing use of your hearing device.
•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.
•Audio metric air-bone gap equal to or greater than 15 decibels at 500
hertz (Hz), 1,000 Hz, and 2,000 Hz.
•Visible evidence of significant cerumen accumulation or a foreign body
in the ear canal.
•Pain or discomfort in the ear.

6 15
IMPORTANT NOTICE TO PROSPECTIVE HEARING AID USERS (continued)
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.
Federal law restricts the sale of hearing aids to those individuals who have
not 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 consul-
tation with a physician. The exercise of such a waiver is not in your best
health interest and its use is strongly discouraged.
Children with a 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.
DEVICE INSERTION AND REMOVAL
Place the Simplicity Hi Fidelity on top of the ear with the ear hook hanging
over the front of the ear (Fig. 1). The dome flex tip should be oriented so
that the sound port is facing toward the opening of the ear canal. Gently
push in the tip of the tubing into your ear canal (Fig. 2).
After inserting the tip of the earmold tubing into the ear canal, seat the
retention cord into the bottom bowl of ear (Fig. 3).
Fig. 1 Fig. 2 Fig. 3

14 7
IMPORTANT NOTICE TO 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
a medical evaluation 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 which states that your hearing loss has been evaluated medi-
cally and that you may be considered for a hearing aid. The physician
may refer you to an audiologist or a hearing aid dispenser for a hearing aid
evaluation.
The audiologist or hearing aid dispenser will conduct a hearing aid evalu-
ation 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.
BATTERY INFORMATION
Zinc-Air Battery Information
Your new Simplicity uses a zinc-air #312 bat-
tery. Peel off the brown paper activation tab
prior to use. To keep your device performing
at peak efficiency, use only premium zinc-air
batteries.
Helpful hint #1. Be sure NOT to remove the
pull-tab off the back of the battery until you are
ready to install it in the device. This will provide
the longest possible operating life.
Helpful hint #2. Open the battery door to your device when not in use to
rest the battery and to allow any moisture build-up to escape.
Low Battery Warning Feature
The Simplicity Hi Fidelity features a low battery warning alert. When the
battery is in need of changing, you will hear a low, “motor boating” sound
which becomes louder and faster as the battery power becomes weaker.
Remove activation tab
+

8 13
FEEDBACK
Feedback is the result of amplified sounds reflected back into the micro-
phone. Adjusting the device with your hand close to the device will also
cause feedback. This is normal occurrence with amplification devices.
If your are experiencing any feedback problems, try one or more of the
following suggestions:
• Check to ensure device is fully seated into your ear canal
• Make sure left device (blue) is in left ear and (red) for the right
• Slightly decrease the volume
• Inspect the sound port for blockage
Using the telephone
Your Simplicity device allows you to use the telephone in a completely
normal manner. Place the receiver to your ear as usual. If you hear a high-
pitched whistling noise (feedback) tilt the receiver slightly away from your
ear until the noise stops.
IMPORTANT PRECAUTIONS
1. Do not drop or throw your device. Internal damage may result.
2. Keep your device away from excessive heat (stove tops, hair dryers,
microwave ovens, heat lamps) or in the glove compartment of your car.
3. Do not get your device wet while bathing, showering or swimming.
4. Do not pry open the case of your device or attempt to repair it. This will void your
warranty and possibly cause further damage to the device.
5. Keep your Simplicity and all hearing devices out of reach of children and animals.
Battery Warning: Batteries are dangerous if consumed. Keep batteries out
of reach of children and animals.
• Discard batteries properly, never place in res or near ames.
• Never allow children to play with batteries
• Never put batteries in your mouth for any reason
• Always check medication before swallowing because batteries have been mistaken
for tablets.
If a battery has been swallowed: Call the National Button Battery
Ingestion Hot line: [phone] for counseling on treatment

12 9
DAILY DEVICE MAINTENANCE
1. At the end of each day, remove your Simplicity, clean the exterior with
a tissue and inspect the opening of the earmold tubing for any blockage,
moisture, or wax buildup.
2. Brush the sound port on a daily basis. Make sure the end of the tube is
pointed downward so that loose debris will not be pushed further into
the tubing.
3. Open battery door when device is not in use.
4. Do not expose your device to direct or excessive heat.
When storing your Simplicity for an extended period of time:
1. Remove the battery.
2. Place device in the presentation case or travel pouch.
3. Store the device in a cool, dry place, (not refrigerator.)
TROUBLESHOOTING
Problem Cause Remedy
No sound ...................Battery dead Replace battery
Blocked opening Remove obstruction
Instrument defective Consult Service Center
Not loud enough ........Volume control down Rotate volume control
Battery weak Replace battery
Blocked port Check for obstruction
Component malfunction Consult Service Center
Intermittent sound ......Defective battery Replace battery
Static ..........................Battery contact dirty Open and close battery door
4-5 times to clean contacts

10 11
POLY-TUBE CLEANING
Cleaning the poly-tube
Slowly insert the cleaning filament end of the
Simplicity multi-tool into the sound port of the
dome flex-tip. Push the filament through the
dome completely to ensure all debris has been
removed. If you are unable to clear the blockage,
please contact the Readywearexpress customer
service dept. (page 21).
With the dome removed, insert the filament line
into the opening of the dome. Push the filament
through the dome completely to ensure all debris
has been removed.
Reinsert the flex dome on to the poly-tube, then
insert tubing connector into opening of the device
with a slight back and forth twisting motion and
push into place. Rotate the tube turn it back to its
original position.
POLY-TUBE REMOVAL
Removing the poly-tube
Turn the tubing (at connector base) left or right
ninety degrees from its original position.
Be sure to turn the tubing at the base where the
tube inserts in to the device, otherwise damage to
the tubing could occur.
The tubing position should change from directly
behind the device to parallel to its side. With a
slight back and forth twisting motion, pull apart
the device and poly-tubing.
After the poly-tube has been removed, the
dome flex tip will need to be separated from the
tube. Remove the dome flex-tip from the poly-tube
by gently twisting the poly-tube and pulling the
dome tip. Do not pull the dome by the outer edge,
hold the dome at the base where it connects to the
tubing.