NewSound Forte MA 201 User manual

Xiamen NewSound Technology Co.,Ltd
Address: 1st and 2nd Floor, No.13
of Xiangyue Road, Torch Hi-Tech Industrial
Development Zone, Xiang'An District, Xiamen, China.
User Manual
New Sound Hearing Aid
Forte MA 201
Version: 170513B
SimpelHoren "Thuis in Hoorzorg"

Preface ................................................................................................ ... 1
Features .............................................................................................. ... 4
Preparation. ........................................................................................ ... 5
Operation. ..............................................................................................6
Complete hearing instrument assembly.............................................. 6
How to wear your hearing instrument................................................. 7
How to use the App ............................................................................ 8
Memory switch................................................................................... 19
Maintenance ...................................................................................... ... 20
Troubleshooting .................................................................................20
Cleaning and changing the tube ........................................................23
Battery replacement ...........................................................................25
Battery care.........................................................................................26
Whistling noise helpful tips .................................................................27
Cleaning and precautions....................................................................28
Appendix ............................................................................................ .... 29
Working condition................................................................................29
FDA information...............................................................................
.. .30
FCC statement...................................................................................34
Service and warranty..........................................................................35
Contents

212
Hazard warnings and product safety
Never wear other people’s hearing aid! It could permanently damage/affect
your hearing.
Avoid direct contact with force (e.g. smacking/slapping, wrestling or likewise
sports) while wearing a hearing instrument, such impact could be harmful to
your hearing.
Do not wear hearing instrument in heavy industrial areas (mines, explosion
sites).
If pain, skin irritation in the ear or excessive accelerated earwax, consult
physician.
Hearing aid batteries are toxic. Keep out of reach of children and pets. If
accidentally swallowed, consult physician immediately!
In the unlikely case of the dome being stuck in your ear canal, after the
removal of the sound tube from the ear, it is highly recommended, for you to
see a physician for safe removal of the dome.
– Please read before using your hearing instrument the first time.
Hazard Warnings – relevant warning notices
Congratulations! Welcome to a new life created by NewSound. Please read this
user manual carefully before use. Forte MA is Bluetooth compatible product
which can be connected to an App for optimized settings.
This user manual only applies to the Forte MA201 hearing instrument.
Intended use
This hearing instrument is an electronic device which amplifies sounds from the
surrounding environment. It will help people with mild to moderate hearing loss or
those who just want to enhance their ability to hear conversations in a noisy
environment.
Precautions
For patients with middle ear infection, it is suggested not to wear hearing instrument
until cured or by following a doctor’s advice. Please consult with your hearing
healthcare professional first if you have any questions about your hearing or your
hearing instrument.
THE MANUFACTURER RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY THE TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS OF THE PRODUCT WITHOUT ANY PRIOR NOTICE.
Preface

2
1. Microphone port
2. Memory switch
3. Battery door
4. Dome
5. Sound tube
6. Retention lock
4
3
Do not drop hearing device onto a hard surface that can damage the
instrument.
When hearing instrument is not in use, leave battery door open so moisture
can evaporate. Store instrument in a safe, dry and clean place.
Remove battery from your hearing instrument if not use for an extended
period of time to prevent dead battery from leakage/expansion that can be
harmful to the instrument.
To obtain best performance from your hearing instrument, always use new
and high-quality batteries.
i
i
i
i
i
Proper disposal of electronic products protects the health of people and the
environment. This symbol means the hearing instrument may not be thrown
away as normal daily waste. Hearing instrument should be disposed at
intended electronic waste/recycle sites, or at your hearing care professional
office.
Product Safety – relevant product handling and care
Features
1
X
Geen functie
bij dit model.

Forte MA uses a 13A battery.
IMPORTANT: Insert battery into the battery door compartment with the positive
(+) side (flat side) faced up. If the battery is inserted incorrectly, the
door will not close. Do not force close the battery door!
WARNING: Keep batteries away from children and pets. Seek immediate
medical attention if a battery is accidentally swallowed!
TURN ON - Gently insert battery and close the door. The hearing instrument
has a built-in power on delay, so it will take several seconds for
the device to activate its full functions.
TURN OFF - Simply keep battery door open; also helps extend battery life.
1 x Tube (left/right/both)
1 x Dome Package
5 6
Kit packaging included:
Battery tips
Your complete assembled hearing instrument consists of three basic parts:
hearing instrument, sound tube and dome
Dome and sound tube assembly:
Align and press together the
dome’s opening over the
grooves of tubing.
Instrument and sound tube assembly:
Align and press together tightly
the connecting end of the sound
tube to the hearing instrument connector.
Note: LEFT and RIGHT hearing instrument is
provided with the sound tube of the
appropriate side.
RED lettering on sound tube is for right ear
BLUE lettering on sound tube is for left ear
1 x Cleaning tools (brush, fishing line)
1 x Forte MA
1 x User Manual
Complete hearing instrument assembly
NOTE: Turn OFF instrument if not use in an extended period of time to
prevent damage from battery expansion or leakage.
Preparation Operation

How to use the App
7 8
1. Place the BTE device behind your ear.
2. Hold the bend of the sound tube close by dome and gently insert the dome
into your ear canal until the tube lies flush with your head. The dome should fit
in the ear canal snug, but not tight.
3. Using your index finger, press/tug the retention lock inside the bowl of the ear.
1 2 3
How to wear your hearing instrument
NOTE: Turn ON the hearing instrument before inserting dome into the ear canal.
Linking of the SoundWear App with your smart device will optimize the device
parameters based on the user's brief hearing check results. The SoundWear
App's primary feature is to customize the user's preferred profile settings that
will provide a fit and comfortable hearing experience.
1. Link your App
Step 1: Go to App Store or Google Play, search and download the '
SoundWear ' App.
SW
Step 2: Enable Bluetooth connection on the Smart device/phone before
open/start the SoundWear App.
Note: For iOS 9 or later, iPhone 5 or above; Android 6.0 or later.
SoundWear TM
TM
TM
TM
TM

9 10
Step 3: Register/Connect the instrument to the SoundWear App.
* Search device by enter SETTING (Fig. 1, 2 & 3). If a pair of instrument is
available, connect/register one at a time.
** Connect device - select the appropriate side, left or right, of the instrument.
Fig. 1 Fig. 3Fig. 2
*** After registration and connection, you can do some changes showed on Fig. 6.
Fig. 4 Fig. 6Fig. 5

1211
ON/OFF function:
* Select instrument for ON/OFF by touch button. (Fig. 7 & 8)
** Slide to right to Turn on both side device, and Slide to left to Turn off both side
device ( Fig. 9 & 10)
Step 4: App and instrument connection/registration completed: SoundWear
home screen shown instrument connected with battery power level
indicator. (Fig. 7 & 8)
Fig. 8
Fig. 7 Fig. 9 Fig. 10
2. Hearing Check
Step 1: Hearing Check function - allows user to quickly perform a self-hearing
check by use of Headset/Earbud or by your hearing instrument.
Step 2: Follow hearing check guiding steps and confirm/acknowledge active
reference tone at each frequency testing/measuring. (Fig. 13)
Fig. 11 Fig. 13Fig. 12

13 14
Step 3: User should HEAR or NOT HEAR the reference tone. Hearing Check
screen shows an active 'waving' line on the side of testing instrument
and MASKING on the non-testing instrument. (Fig. 14)
Step 4: Confirm 'I Hear it' or 'Don't hear it' in all testing frequencies. Hearing
Check completed with 'See Result' at bottom of Hearing Check screen.
(Fig. 15)
Fig. 14 Fig. 15
Step 5: Select 'See Result' will provide the options -
1. To optimize the smart device parameters based on the user's hearing
check results which will auto-fit for best quality sound in all preset
mode/environments. Examples of 'Hearing Check' result before
Optimized (Fig. 16), Hearing Check' result after Optimized (Fig. 18)
and Auto-fit Band after Hearing Check Optimized (Fig. 19).
2. Select Recheck icon to redo the hearing check. (Fig. 16 and 18)
Fig. 19Fig. 17 Fig. 18

15 16
3. Sound enhancement
Standard/Factory settings:
Mode will signal with 'beeping' sound when change/switching, i.e. one beep for
Mode 1(All around environment), two beeps for Mode 2(Restaurant), etc.
Optimized settings:
Mode preset signal - same as Standard/Factory settings. While Volume and
Band variably adjusted to fit user's most comfortable hearing level based on
the optimized hearing check results. (Fig. 20 & 21)
Fig. 20 Fig. 21
4. Lock or unlock setting
User who wear a pair of Forte MA can customize the instruments' setting to be
adjusted together or separately.
Volume control setting: Both instruments can be adjusted together at the
same level by select link/lock icon (Fig. 22), or
variably change level separately by unlink/unlock the
icon (Fig. 23)
Fig. 22 Fig. 23

18-
18
17 Fig. 25
Fig. 26
Band setting: variable setting of Band for each side of instrument can only be
done independently. (Fig. 24 & 25)
Instrument link/lock function is NOT available in Band.
Fig. 24 Fig. 25
Mode setting:
*App preset function to change both left and right instruments together. (Fig. 26)
**Memory switch will allow user to perform instrument mode change individually.
(Fig. 27)

*Memory switch function can be used to change preset mode/program
individually.
Your hearing instrument can be programmed up to 4 different listening programs.
When the hearing instrument is turned on, it will automatically be in program 1.
Other preset programs are for your specific needs that can be accessed by
using the memory switch. Pressing of the memory switch will change the
program according to the preset sequence: 1, 2, 3 and 4.
Your hearing instrument ‘beeping’ signal will help you identity preset programs.
Example: program 1 will emit 1 beep, program 2 will emit 2 beeps, etc.
Program 1 2 3 4
Best for All around
Indicator 1 beep
Restaurant
2 beeps
Traffic
3 beeps
Outdoor
4 beeps
Troubleshooting
NOTE: the programs are preset by your hearing healthcare professional or the
manufacturer.
Memory switch
2
20
19
Maintenance
SYMPTOM
No/low
sound;
no function
Whistling,
feedback
POSSIBLE CAUSE
Hearing instrument may not be
turned on
Battery may be low or dead
Sound outlet may be blocked
Startup delay is on
SOLUTIONS
Turn on the hearing instrument
Replace battery
Clear sound outlet or contact hearing
instrument provider/seller
Wait a few seconds for the device to be
turned on
Instrument not fitted well in the
ear.
You may have excessive
cerumen
Volume set too low
Remove and reinsert the
instrument into your ear
Contact your hearing care professional
Adjust Volume on App
You may have excessive
cerumen Contact your hearing care professional

21 22
App
connection
failure
Improper battery insertion
cause/reason of failure
unknown/undetermined
Re-insert or replace with new battery
Technical issues with Smart
device Restart the Smart device
Contact instrument provider, where
instrument was purchased.
App and Smart device
incompatibility Check iOS/Android OS version
App outdated Update App with newer version
Whistling,
feedback
Sound:
distorted,
intermittent,
not clear,
static,
too much
Bass
Instrument not fitted well in the
ear.
Volume set too high
Re-insert instrument or replace with a
better fitted size dome.
Adjust volume on App
Poor battery contact
May need reprogramming
Contact hearing instrument
provider/seller
Low battery or dead battery Replace battery
Contact hearing healthcare
professional
Sound outlet may be blocked Clean sound outlet or contact hearing
instrument provider/seller
Close range with other
electromagnetic devices/fields
(speaker, phones, etc.)
Distant from other electromagnetic
devices/fields.

23 24
Cleaning and changing the tube
Cleaning
Use a soft cloth to wipe the tube after each use to remove any dirt and moisture.
The provided GREEN cleaning tool and brush is for removing debris / wax
built-up inside the sound tube and dome.
Changing
1. To remove the sound tube, gently rotate the sound tube counter-clockwise from
the hearing instrument case until it comes off.
2. To clean, insert the cleaning tool through the threaded end of the tube and
continue pushing the tool all the way through the tube until it comes out at the
end with the dome.
3. To reassemble the sound tubing, simply reverse the removal process by
tightening the tubing and the instrument connector with a clockwise motion
until the two flat surfaces are flushed together.

25 26
When you hear one short beep - signal alerting that battery is running low/out.
Low battery alert will continue intermittently until battery gets replaced.
1. Turn off the hearing instrument.
2. Remove low/dead battery from battery door.
3. Remove the protective foil cover from the new battery.
4. Insert the new battery and be sure the plus (+) faced up.
5. Close the battery door.
Battery replacement Battery care
NOTE: Gentle handing - battery operation needs little effort.
There should be no resistance at closing, for door can
not close if battery is reversed.
The sound quality may change after the first warning, this is normal and can be
remedied by replacing with a fresh battery.
To prevent dead battery corrosion inside your hearing instrument ALWAYS
remove the battery if your instrument is not in use for long period of time.
The performance of the hearing instrument greatly depends on the quality
of the battery.
1) It is important to use high quality batteries since it helps prevent instrument
from periodic malfunction.
2) Batteries shall be well kept in its original seal and package.
3) Never leave an old or dead battery in the hearing instrument. Leaving a dead
battery inside the instrument for an extended period of time can cause battery
leakage which can be damaging to the instrument.

27
DO NOT use water, harsh chemicals, strong cleaners or other fluids to clean the
hearing instrument.
DO NOT leave your hearing instrument in the direct sun or in areas where the
temperature can rise over 60°C / 140°F for extended periods of time.
ALWAYS handle the hearing instrument with care; it’s important to prevent
hearing instrument from dropping on hard surfaces, such as counter
top, table or floor.
Cleaning care and precautions
28
Whistling is common in small amplifier and is known as 'feedback'.
It is caused by amplified sound leaving the ear and receiving back into
the microphone and being re-amplified. The following tips will help reduce the
effect of feedback/whistle noise:
1. Lower the volume.
Keep volume at lower setting before inserting the instrument in your ear.
2. Secure instrument fitted position
Feedback/whistling noise will stop when the instrument is best fitted/sealed
in the ear with the best fitted dome size.
3. Clear the ear canal of wax or debris.
Seek your hearing care provider for excessive wax built-up
4. Replace the dome or tubing.
Change new dome with a better fitted size.
Make sure the tubing is not broken or torn.
Whistling noise helpful tips
Keep the hearing instrument clean and dry. Use only soft cloth to remove any
body oil or moisture from the hearing instrument shell. Use provided cleaning
tools to clean wax built-up. If the instrument is subject to a lot of perspiration, it
is recommended, turned OFF the hearing instrument and put into a dry box at
least once a week. Dry box can be bought online or any local pharmacy.

29 30
FDA information
Good health practice requires that a person with a hearing loss to 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 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 a
Hearing Healthcare Professional 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 healthcare provider to select and fit a hearing aid to your
individual needs.
Working condition
Temperature: –20°/60° Celsius -4°F/140°F
Air humidity: ≤ 85%
Air pressure: 500~ 1100 KPa
Technical data
Technical Data Forte Ma
Peak OSPL 90(dB SPL) 122
HFA OSPL 90(dB SPL) 111
Peak Gain(dB) 38
HFA full on Gain(dB) 29
Total Harmonic Distort:
500Hz(%) ≤3.0
800Hz(%) ≤3.0
1600Hz(%) ≤3.0
EQ Input Noise(dB) ≤32
Battery Current(mA) ≤2.3
Frequency Range(Hz) 300-4000
ANSI S3.22-2003 IEC 60118-7/2005
Appendix

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 Healthcare Professionals 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
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.
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,
then consult a physician.
Notice to hearing healthcare providers
31 32
Stop Using Hearing aids and Consult a Physician if:
* Hearing in one or both ears worsened.
* Your ear becomes occluded with excessive ear wax.
* Hearing does not improve while using the provided hearing aid
* You develop an infection of your ear or ear canal.
* Skin irritation develops in or around your ear canal.
* Visible congenital or traumatic deformity of the ear.
* Unilateral hearing loss of sudden or recent onset within the previous 90 days.
* History of active drainage from the ear within the previous 90 days.
* Audiometric air-bone gap equal to or greater than 15 decibels at 500 hertz (Hz),
1000Hz, and 2000 Hz.
* History of sudden or rapidly progressive hearing loss within the previous 90
days.
* Visible evidence of significant cerumen accumulation or a foreign body in the
ear canal.
* Acute or chronic dizziness.
* Pain or discomfort in the ear.

33 234
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. Hearing
loss may cause problems in language development, educational growth, and
social growth of a child. Training and experience qualify an audiologist to assist
in the evaluation and rehabilitation of a child with a hearing loss.
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.
A hearing aid will not restore normal hearing and will not prevent or improve a
hearing impairment resulting from organic conditions. In most cases infrequent
use of a hearing aid does not permit a user to attain full benefit from it. The use
of hearing aid(s) is only part of hearing rehabilitation and may need to be
supplemented by auditory training and instruction in lip reading.
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for
compliance could void the user's authority to operate the equipment.
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B
digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to
provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential
installation. This equipment generates uses and can radiate radio frequency
energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may
cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no
guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this
equipment 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 equipment and receiver.
-- Connect the equipment 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.
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC rules. 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.
FCC Statement

Service and warranty
Please ask your hearing instrument/care providers, where you purchased your
hearing instrument, about the term of the product warranty and service coverage
with/without warranty.
DO NOT send your instrument directly to the manufacturer for product service or
replacement.
Manufacturer
Xiamen NewSound Technology Co.,Ltd
Address: 1st and 2nd Floor, No.13
of Xiangyue Road, Torch Hi-Tech Industrial
Development Zone, Xiang'An District, Xiamen, China.
European Representative:
Wellkang Tech Consulting Suite B, 29 Harley Street,
LONDON W1G9QR, United Kingdom
www.CE-marking.com
35
[email protected]