OTOFONIX Encore User manual

Encore
0120
User Manual

Content
2
What’s in the Box............................4
Components Illustration..................5
Batteries........................................6,7
Ear Tips/Domes.......................8,9,10
Programs & Voumes.................11,12
Sound Tubes..................................13
Replacing SoundReplacing Sound Tube..................14
Power Kit......................................15
Earhook Tube Installation........16,17
TeleCoil.........................................18
Care & Maintenance.....................19
Wearing & Using the Devise....20,21
Troubleshooting.............................22
TTechnical Specifications................23

Congratulations on your Otofonix hearing amplifier!
Your new hearing amplifier is about to open up an amazing new
world for you. Enjoy the sounds around you and conversation
with your family and friends again.
If you need help, our hearing instrument specialists are ready to
provide assistance with any questions you may have. Please con-
tact us at [e-mail] or watch the instructional videos at
our website www.otofonix.com.
Please read this User Manual in its entirety.
3

What’s in the Box
4
Assortment of open
and closed ear domes
EarHook Power Kit
Assembled amplifier
with 2 sound tubes
Not shown: Protective Travel Case & English User Manual
Cleaning Brush
& Wire
#312 Batteries

5

Batteries
6
The battery compartment located on the bottom of the amplifier also acts
as the on-off switch. When closed the unit is ON and when open the unit
is OFF. We recommend that you fully or completely open the battery door
when you go to bed at night in order to conserve battery power.
OFF
ON

Low power: You will hear a series of melodic double beeps when the battery is low. You may
also hear increasing static. You will have approximately 30 minutes to change the battery (this
can vary, depending on the hearing settings and battery). We recommend that you always
have a new battery on hand.
7
Batteries
The proper battery size for your Otofonix Encore amplifier is a zinc-air #312. Before inserting
the battery into your amplifier, remove the brown tab and wait 1-2 minutes to allow the battery
to air activate. Your hearing amplifier has a low current drain and the battery should last approx-
imately 7 (16 hour) days or longer. Loud noises drain the battery more than quieter sounds.

About Ear Tips & Ear Domes
There are 3 types of domes - open, closed and everything in between that we will
refer to as a hybrid style dome.
An Open Style Dome has large holes and is intended for
people with the typical mild to moderate high frequency
hearing loss who do not need much amplification in the low
frequencies. The larger openings in the dome allow for low
frequency sounds to pass though the dome with minimal
amplification and a more natural sound. It eliminates the “occlusion effect”
which is similar to putting your fingers in your ear and hearing yourself talk.
On the negative side, open domes are the most prone to feedback (whistle).
A Close Style Dome has no holes in them. This allows the am-
plifier to more aggressively boost the sound levels as much as
15-20 dB, especially in the low speech frequencies. Often closed
domes are the better answer for people suffering from a more
severe level of hearing loss. These domes virtually eliminate
all feedback that occurs from higher amplification but maximizes the “occlusion
effect”.
8

About Ear Tips & Ear Domes
A Hybrid Style Dome has a small hole or vent and fea-
tures of both the open and closed dome. These domes pro-
vide greater amplification in the low frequencies than the
open domes. The smaller vent also significantly minimizes
the “occlusion effect”and reduces feedback making them
more comfortable to wear than the closed domes. These domes are recom-
mended for those with a mild to moderate hearing loss. Several styles are
available on our website.
Your Encore comes assembled with a medium sized hybrid (magic) dome
but your package also contains an assortment of both open and closed domes
to insure the best fit.
It is recommended that they be replaced every 2-3 months and can be
ordered on www.otofonix.com.
9

Remove eartip:
Eartip Information
10
Attach eartip:
1. Line up the narrow tubing nozzle with the opening on the
inside of the tip.
2. Push together firmly until the eartip is securely attached so
it does not come off in your ear.
1. Hold the eartip tightly and grasp the tubing directly behind the
eartip.
2. Pull firmly.

11
Programs & Volumes

Memory Presets
Your hearing amplifier includes 4 pre-configured memory programs and 10 volume
levels to quickly adjust to your hearing loss and and different environments.
Program Settings:
Volume Settings:
12
To change the Program Setting push and hold the rocker switch either up or
down for 3 seconds. The number of beeps you hear is the program chosen.
Each time you press the rocker switch either up or down you will hear one beep
and the volume will change by 3 dB. When you reach level 1 (15 dB gain) or
level 10 (42 dB gain) you will then hear three rapid beeps. When you initially
turn your amplifier on it will default to volume level 5 and Program 1.

Sound Tube Choices
Your Otofonix Encore comes with a # 2 formed thin sound tube already attached.
This is the size that works best for most people but it may not be the right size for
you. For that reason we have also included a # 1 tube in your package which is
slightly shorter.
Tubing sizes / lengths
There are three sizes of thin sound
tubing available for the right and left
ear. Available on www.otofonix.com.
1B L or R (shorter, for small ears)
2B L or R (normal, standard)
3B L or R (longer, for larger ears)
L = Left = Blue R = Right = Red
13

To attach new tubing,
gently turn the base of the
tubing onto the amplifier
body in a clockwise direc-
tion.
Approximtely 3-4 com-
plete rotations are neces-
sary to complete the in-
stallation
The tube base should be
flush with the amplifier
body. The above exam-
ple requires one more
rotation.
To remove the tubing simply turn the tubing base in a counter-clockwise direc-
tion (like removing a bottle cap).
Please note: The amplifier body can be utilized for either ear. Only the thin
sound tubing is ear-specific. Tubing can be ordered at www.otofonix.com.
Replacing Sound Tube
14

EarHook Power Kit
For those with a severe to pro-
found hearing loss or who would
just like more volume that the
open fit can not provide, the
power kit has been included
in your Encore package. The
earhook and traditional thick-
er tubing provides you with in-
creased sound output
Your amplifier was sent to you with the standard thin tubing already at-
tached. If you need to get the maximum volume out of your Otofonix
Encore, you will first need to remove the thin tube and replace it with
the earhook. See “EarHook Tube Installation” on page 17. Replacement
parts may be purchased on www.otofonix.com.
15

Your Otofonix Encore was sent to you pre-assembled with a thin sound
tube and medium sized hybrid (magic) dome. If you need to get the max-
imum volume out of your amplifier, we suggest attaching the Earhook
kit with the traditional thick sound tube and a closed dome. This will re-
quire removing the thin tubing. See page 17.
Place the amplifier with the attached earhook
over the ear and the assembled thick tube with
dome into the ear canal. Trim the tube as illus-
trated and insert the cut end into the earhook.
See page 17.
The Earhook package includes:
3 sizes of closed domes (8, 11 & 13mm) to reduce feedback
1 thick tube to allow full volume from the amplifier
1 Earhook Adapter to connect to the thick tube
Earhook Tube Installation

17
Attach earhook to amplifi-
er body. Turn hook clock-
wise 3-4 rotations
The earhook should be
flush with the amplifier
body
Insert ear dome onto
thick tubing connector
Cut the tube at the
marked line
Push the cut end of
the tube onto the ear-
hook
Assembled thick tube
and dome
Mark Tube
Mark a line on the tube
just ABOVE the bottom
of the earhook
For those requiring more amplification, an earhook kit has been includ-
ed with your amplifier. Simply replace the thin sound tubing with the
earhook and traditional thick tubing as shown above.
Earhook Tube Installation

TELECOIL (Program 4)
Your Encore is equipped with a telecoil feature which can pick up electro-
magnetic signals from your smartphone and send the sound directly to your
ear. When this setting is selected, the microphone is automatically turn off
allowing you to hear clear sound without any distracting background noise.
The T-coil is intended to help the wearer filter out background noise.
Public venues, theaters and churches that display this
symbol now have “induction or audio Loops” that trans-
mit the same magnetic signal and provide you with crisp
sound in looped environments. In Europe, 85-90% of
hearing aids include telecoil. Telecoils and hearing loops
are now becoming more common in the United States.
18

Daily Care & Maintenance
Your Otofonix Amplifier is a delicate and sensitive digital electronic device. So it
is very important that you keep it clean and dry. Any moisture can have a negative
impact on the hearing devise. Moisture prevention is helpful to extent the lifetime
of the device.
Use a soft dry cloth to clean the body oils, sweat and water from the casing. Do not
wear it when showering, swimming, in the rain or in a wet environment such as a
sauna.
NeveNever subject your device to hairspray, sunscreen or other cosmetic/medical products
If you spend a considerable amount of time in a high humidity environment, you
should consider placing your device in a drying box overnight such as Stay-Dri
Hearing Aid Dehumidifier.
Do not wear your amplifier during short-wave diathermy, X-ray, MR scans, CT scans
or similar radiation treatments.
BBe aware that occupancy sensors in some public restrooms can generate strong elec-
tromagnetic interference that produce a rapid loud chirping or clicking sound when
wearing your hearing device.
19

WEARING & USING A HEARING AMPLIFIER
People learn at different rates. Some people need a week or two to adjust to their hear-
ing amplifiers and others may need a few months. Medical studies show that your brain
requires approximately 21 days to adjust to your new Hearing Amplifier. We recommend
that you wear your unit for a few hours on the first day and gradually increasing the time
over a period of one week. Eventually, you will be wearing them most of the waking
hours.
Tips
Squealing or Feedback
Feedback occurs when the amplified sound coming out of the ear tip or open dome re-
turns to the microphone and is re-amplified. This commonly happens at higher volume
settings. We recommend setting the volume no higher than level 8. Should you need
more amplification above level 8, you can try changing to a hybrid or closed dome for
more amplification. This will give you more amplification while eliminating feedback.
Realistic Expectations
The first thing many new users notice is that sounds seem a little strange, this is com-
pletely normal. Even the best hearing aids are not as good as your natural hearing.
This can be compared to the sensation of hearing your own voice on a tape recorder,
and your own voice may sound deeper than normal.
20