oticon miniBTE Alta User manual

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE miniBTE

Thank you
Thank you for choosing our product as your means to better hearing. To support your
eorts, we have put great care and attention into making sure that your new hearing
instrument is of the highest quality and is easy to use and maintain.
We recommend that you read this manual carefully to achieve the full benet of your
new hearing instrument.
To meet your needs, various functions may be congured to your hearing instrument.
The actual conguration of your instrument can be marked (checked o) by your
Hearing Care Professional in relevant sections of this manual. Also see the last page for
a complete overview of all functions congured to your hearing instrument(s).
The hearing instrument amplication is uniquely adjusted and optimized to your
personal hearing capabilities during the tting performed by your Hearing Care
Professional.
If you have any questions on the use or maintenance of the hearing instrument, please
contact your Hearing Care Professional.
Indications for Use
The hearing instrument is intended to amplify and transmit sound to the ear and
thereby compensate for mild to moderate–to–severe hearing impairment.

Contents
Instrument view miniBTE with Corda miniFit (thin tube) 7a
Instrument view miniBTE with mold 7b
Warnings 9
Activating the hearing instrument for the rst time 19
Replacing the battery 20
Turning your instrument ON and OFF 22
Left/Right ear marking 23
Putting on your instrument with Corda miniFit (thin tube) 24
Putting on your instrument with mold 25
Push-button 26
Programs (optional) 28
Volume control (optional) 30
Mute (optional) 31
Tamper-resistant battery door (optional) 32
Autophone (optional) 34
Caring for your hearing instrument 36
Continues on next page
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Please familiarize yourself with the entire contents of this booklet before using your
hearing instrument. It contains instructions and important information about the
use and handling of your hearing instrument and batteries.

7a
Instrument view miniBTE with Corda miniFit (thin tube)
Cleaning the instrument 38
Maintenance with Corda miniFit (thin tube) 40
Maintenance with mold 47
Water resistance 50
Avoiding heat and chemicals 52
Seven easy steps to better hearing 53
Common problems and their solutions 58
Wireless accessories 60
International warranty 61
Warranty certicate 62
Cell phone 63
Technical information 65
Settings overview for your hearing instrument 68
Sound outlet
Dome
Thin tube
Ear grip
(optional)
Microphone openings
Push-button
Battery door
Your ear piece
Corda mold
Domes:
Type Size
Open 6 mm
Power 8 mm
Bass, single vent 10 mm
Bass, double vent 12 mm
Battery size: 312

7b
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Open the battery compartment fully to allow air to circulate whenever you are not
using your hearing instrument, particularly overnight.
Instrument view miniBTE with mold
Ventilations openings
Battery door
Mold
Microphone openings
Sound hook
Sound outlet
Plastic Tube
Push-button
Battery size: 312

9
You should familiarize yourself fully with the following general warnings and the entire
contents of this booklet before using your hearing instrument.
Usage of hearing instruments
• Hearing instruments should be used only as directed and adjusted by your Hearing
Care Professional. Misuse can result in sudden and permanent hearing loss.
• Never allow others to wear your hearing instrument as incorrect usage could cause
permanent damage to their hearing.
Choking hazards
• Hearing instruments, their parts, and batteries are not toys and should be kept out
of reach of children and anyone who might swallow these items or otherwise cause
injury to themselves.
• Never replace the battery or adjust the controls of the hearing instrument in front of
infants, small children or people with learning diculties.
• Discard batteries carefully in a place where infants, small children or people with
learning diculties cannot reach them.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Open the battery compartment fully to allow air to circulate whenever you are not
using your hearing instrument, particularly overnight.
Warnings

10 11
• Batteries have occasionally been mistaken for pills. Therefore check your medicine
carefully before swallowing any pills.
• Never put your hearing instrument or batteries in your mouth for any reason, as they
are slippery and could be swallowed by accident.
• Most hearing instruments can be supplied with a tamper-resistant battery
compartment upon request. This is strongly recommended for infants, small children,
and people with learning diculties.
If a battery or hearing instrument is swallowed, see a doctor immediately and call the
National Poison Center, collect [phone].
Battery use
• Always use batteries recommended by your Hearing Care Professional. Batteries of
low quality may leak and cause bodily harm.
• Never attempt to recharge your batteries. They may explode and cause serious
injury.
• Never dispose of batteries by burning them. There is a risk that they will explode and
cause serious injury.
Dysfunction in hearing instruments
• Hearing instruments may stop functioning, for instance if the batteries have expired
or if the tubing is blocked by moisture or ear wax. You should be aware of this
possibility, in particular when you are in trac or otherwise dependent on warning
sounds.
Active implants
Caution must be shown with active implants. As general advice, follow the guidelines
as recommended by manufacturers of implantable debrillators and pacemakers
regarding use with cell phones:
• If you wear an active implant, then keep the hearing instrument more than 15 cm
away from the implant, e.g., do not carry them in a breast pocket.
• If you have an active brain implant, please contact the manufacturer of your
implantable device for information about the risk of disturbance.
Warnings Warnings

12 13
• The MultiTool has a built-in magnet. If you have an implantable device, such as
pacemakers or debrillators, the MultiTool should not be carried in a breast pocket or
near the chest.
Explosives
• The power source in your hearing instrument has insucient energy to cause re in
normal conditions of use. The hearing instrument has not been tested for compliance
with international standards concerning explosive environments. It is recommended
not to use your hearing instrument in areas where there is a danger of explosions.
X-ray, CT, MR, PET scanning and electrotherapy
• Remove your hearing instrument, for example, during X-ray, CT / MR / PET scanning,
electrotherapy or surgery as your hearing instruments may be damaged when
exposed to strong elds.
Possible side eects
• Hearing instruments, molds or domes may cause an accelerated accumulation of ear
wax.
• The otherwise non-allergenic materials used in hearing instruments may in rare
cases cause a skin irritation or any other unusual condition.
Please seek consultation with a physician if these conditions occur.
Interference
• Your hearing instrument has been thoroughly tested for interference, according to
the most stringent international standards. However, interference with your hearing
instrument and other devices may occur, for example for some cell phones, citizens
band devices and shop alarm systems. If this occurs, increase the distance between
the hearing instrument and the device.
Warnings Warnings

14 15
Warning to hearing instrument dispensers
A hearing instrument dispenser should advise a prospective hearing instrument user
to consult immediately with a licensed physician (preferably an ear specialist) before
dispensing a hearing instrument if the hearing instrument 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.
(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 air-bone gap equal to or greater than 15 decibels at 500 Hertz (Hz),
1,000 Hz, and 2,000 Hz.
(vii) Visible evidence of signicant cerumen accumulation or a foreign body in the ear
canal.
(viii) Pain or discomfort in the ear.
Warnings
Special care should be exercised in selecting and tting a hearing instrument whose
maximum sound pressure capability exceeds 132 dB SPL as there may be risk of
impairing the remaining hearing of the hearing instrument user.
Important notice for prospective hearing instrument 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 instrument. 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 ensure that all
medically treatable conditions that may aect hearing are identied and treated
before the hearing instrument 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
instrument. The physician will refer you to an audiologist or a hearing instrument
dispenser, as appropriate, for a hearing instrument evaluation.
Warnings

16 17
Children with hearing loss
In addition to seeing a physician for 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 educational and social growth of a
child. An audiologist is qualied by training and experience to assist in the evaluation
and rehabilitation of a child with a hearing loss. If the user is an infant, small child,
or person of mental incapacity, it is recommended that the hearing instrument be
modied with a tamper-resistant battery compartment.
Warnings
• The audiologist or hearing instrument dispenser will conduct a hearing instrument
evaluation to assess your ability to hear with and without a hearing instrument. The
hearing instrument evaluation will enable the audiologist or dispenser to select and
t a hearing instrument to your individual needs. If you have reservations about
your ability to adapt to amplication, you should inquire about the availability of a
trial, rental or purchase-option program. Many hearing instrument dispensers now
oer programs that permit you to wear a hearing instrument for a period of time
for a nominal fee, after which you may decide if you want to purchase the hearing
instrument. Federal law limits the sale of hearing instruments 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 instrument will not restore normal hearing and will
not prevent or improve a hearing impairment resulting from organic conditions.
A hearing instrument is only part of hearing rehabilitation and may need to be
supplemented by auditory training and lip reading.
Warnings

19
Activating the hearing instrument for the rst time
A hearing instrument is a miniature electronic device that runs on special batteries.
To activate the hearing instrument, you must insert a fresh battery in the battery
compartment.
The hearing instrument will start up when the battery door is closed. It will take a few
seconds until sound is produced. A jingle is played while the start up process is running.
You may put on the hearing instrument immediately upon closing the battery door.
If the hearing instrument is held in the hand while activated, it may produce a whistling
sound. This will stop when properly tted on the ear.

20 21
Replacing the battery
Your hearing instrument battery size is 312.
A worn out battery should be removed immediately and
disposed of according to local regulations.
You will hear 2 beeps when it is time to replace the battery.
This pre-warning will be repeated in moderate intervals until
the battery runs out. The battery may run out shortly after a
pre-warning or within the next couple of hours depending
on battery capabilities and individual hearing losses.
If the battery runs out, the instrument turns o.
When that happens, 4 beeps are played to indicate that the
instrument is no longer operating.
Replace the battery.
To replace the battery, follow these instructions:
• Open the battery door completely by pushing the raised edge at the bottom of the
instrument. Remove the old battery. The magnet at the end of the MultiTool may be
useful in helping you with the handling of the batteries.
• Remove the sticky label from the + side of the new battery.
• The new battery may be inserted by using the magnetic end of the MultiTool.
Ensure that the positive (+) marking faces the positive (+) sign printed on the battery
door. Close the battery door.
Any moisture on the battery surface should be wiped
o before use.
When you replace battery, it will take a few seconds
before the battery works. MultiTool

22 23
Turning your instrument ON and OFF
Turn ON your hearing instrument by closing the battery door completely with the
battery in place. When the battery door is closed the instrument will start up by playing
a jingle. This indicates that the battery is working and the instrument is operating.
Turn OFF your hearing instrument by opening the battery door slightly until a click is
felt.
To preserve the battery, make sure your hearing instrument is switched o when you
are not wearing it.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Open the battery door fully to
allow air to circulate whenever
you are not using your hearing
instrument, especially at night
or for longer periods of time.
ON
Click Click
Left/Right ear marking
Hearing instruments are tted to the uniqueness of each ear, which means if you
have two instruments then your left hearing instrument is programmed dierently
from your right. That is why it is important to distinguish between the left hearing
instrument and the right.
In order to easily identify whether it is a left ear or a right ear instrument, color
markings may be applied inside the battery door.
A blue dot marks the LEFT instrument.
A red dot marks the RIGHT instrument.
OFF

A
B
24 25
Putting on your instrument with
Corda miniFit (thin tube)
Putting on your hearing instrument with a thin tube
correctly every time, takes practice:
1. Place the hearing instrument behind your ear.
2. Hold the bend of the tube between your thumb and index
nger. The dome should point towards the ear canal opening.
Gently push the dome into your ear canal until the sound tube
sits close against the side of your head.
3. Position the ear grip in the concha using your index nger.
Look in a mirror. If the sound tube is sticking out from your ear,
the dome has not been placed correctly in the ear canal. If the
ear grip is visibly sticking out from your ear it has not been
positioned correctly. To remove the instrument pull the bend
of the tube.
Dome
Concha
Putting on your instrument with mold
1. Place the tip of the mold in your ear canal, twisting
slightly, making sure that the top part of the mold (A) is
pushed behind and under the fold (B) of your ear.
2. Gently pull up your ear and press the mold in the direction
of the ear canal.
3. With the mold positioned correctly in your ear, place the
hearing instrument behind your ear by lifting its lower
part and sliding it over the top of your ear.
1
2
3
1
3
2

26 27
Push-button
Your hearing instrument has a push-button.
If you have one instrument, the push-button can be used for switching between
dierent programs.
If you have two instruments, the push-button
can be used for both adjusting the volume and
switching between programs.
Finally, the push-button can be used to mute
the instrument.
The push-button on your hearing instrument can be programmed to one of three
functionalities.
Left Right
Only program shift:
Press briey to change program.
Only volume control: (Only if you have two instruments).
Press briey to adjust the volume.
Both volume control and program shift:
(Only if you have two instruments).
Press briey to adjust the volume; use a long press
(about 2 seconds) to shift programs.
Using 2 instruments
If you have two instruments the push-button on one instrument will change the status
on both hearing instruments. This means when you adjust the program or volume for
one instrument, it automatically adjusts the other.
This is programmed by your Hearing Care Professional.
Push

28 29
Your hearing instrument can have up to 4 dierent programs.
The number and type of programs available in your hearing instrument is programmed
by your Hearing Care Professional.
When switching between the dierent programs, your hearing instrument will beep.
The number of beeps will indicate which program you are using.
One beep, when you switch to program 1
 Two beeps, when you switch to program 2
 Three beeps, when you switch to program 3
 Four beeps, when you switch to program 4
Press the push-button to switch forwards in the program cycle, e.g., from P1–P2.
If you have two instruments, then:
The RIGHT hearing instrument switches forwards in the program cycle, e.g., P1–P2.
The LEFT hearing instrument switches backwards in the program cycle, e.g., P2–P1.
An overview and description of the hearing programs available in your hearing
instrument is placed on the last page of this manual.
Push
Programs (optional)

30 31
Only when using two instruments can a volume control be activated. The volume
control allows you to adjust the volume in specic listening situations to the level you
feel comfortable with.
When pressing the push-button on one instrument, the volume is adjusted in both
instruments simultaneously.
To increase volume, briey press the push-button on the RIGHT ear instrument.
To decrease volume, briey press the push-button on the LEFT ear instrument.
You hear a click when you increase or decrease the volume.
When the hearing instrument is turned on, it starts up at a preferred volume level.
When adjusting the volume control to the preferred level, this is indicated by a beep.
Use the mute function if you need to silence the instrument while you have the
instrument on.
Push the button for a minimum of 3 seconds to mute the instrument.
To reactivate the instrument, push the button briey again.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Do not use the mute function as a switch o as the hearing instrument still draws
current from the battery in this mode.
Push
3 sec.
Volume control (optional) Mute (optional)

32
A special battery door may be installed with your hearing instrument which protects
against unintended operation of the battery door and battery.
This is strongly recommended for infants, small children and people with learning
diculties.
The battery door is designed only to be opened by using a tool. Use a small screwdriver
to open the door by inserting it into the indent on the door side and then tip it.
Tamper-resistant battery door (optional)

34 35
The hearing instrument may have an autophone functionality. When the hearing
instrument is close to a telephone receiver, the autophone will activate a phone
program. When the phone program is activiated you will hear a number of beeps.
When you end your telephone conversation, the hearing instrument will automatically
return to the previous program.
Not all telephones can activate the autophone.
The telephone receiver may need to have a
special magnet tted. Please follow the separate
instructions for mounting the magnet, which is
available from your Hearing Care Professional.
WARNING
If you use an autophone magnet:
• Keep magnets out of reach of children and pets. If a magnet is swallowed, see a
doctor immediately.
• Do not wear the magnet in a breast pocket and always keep it 30 cm away from
active implanatable devices such as pacemakers, debrillators, etc. Preferably,
use the telephone with magnet on the opposite side of a pacemaker or other
active implants.
• Keep the magnet 30 cm away from credit cards and other magnetically sensitive
devices.
Autophone (optional)

36 37
Caring for your hearing instrument
Your ear canal produces ear wax (cerumen) which may clog up the sound outlet or the
ventilation opening of your ear mold. To prevent wax accumulation from causing a
change in performance, the guidelines in this section should be followed:
When handling a hearing instrument, keep it over a soft surface to avoid damage if you
drop it.
Before retiring at night:
• Make sure that there is no ear wax in any of the ear mold openings since it may reduce
the hearing instrument’s eciency.
• Open the battery door to allow air to circulate.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
The hearing instrument itself must never be washed or immersed in water or other
liquids.