3. Getting Used to Your Hearing Amplifier
4. Maintenance
5. Troubleshooting
6. Q&A
7. Service and Warranty
Q1: Why is the hearing amplifier whistling (feedback)?
ANS: • This is normal. The amplified sound from the hearing amplifier has been
picked up by the microphone and has been amplified repeatedly. The hearing
amplifier cannot handle the activity and starts to whistle. The whistle should
stop when the ear dome is correctly and firmly inserted into your ear.
• Turn down the volume before you insert the ear dome into your ear. Beyond
a certain volume level, the hearing amplifier cannot prevent whistling. If the
ear dome cannot be firmly fitted, try another sized ear dome. Do not leave
space between the air canal and the ear dome.
• Wax in the ear canal may prevent sound from travelling into the ear. The
sound being forced back out the ear results in the high-pitched whistle.
Carefully remove earwax.
• If you are wearing a scarf or hat try removing them, they can obstruct sound
and make it bounce back into your hearing amplifier causing the feedback.
• If the problem persists the size or shape of your ear canal may have
changed. Have a doctor check your ear canal.
Q2:
How to eliminate cracking or buzzing noises?
ANS: • Check if there is earwax residue on the hearing tube and ear dome.
• Check if the hearing tube is damaged (color changes, hardening, or cracks).
Q3:
What can I do if there is no sound?
ANS: • Check if the battery is dead.
• Adjust the volume.
• Clean the hearing tube and ear dome if there is the earwax residue on the
hearing tube and ear dome.
Q4: My ear gets hot and damp when I wear hearing amplifiers. What
can I do about it?
ANS: • Your hearing amplifiers block warm and moist air from escaping your ear
canals. Remove the hearing amplifier occasionally during the day to let your
ears “breathe”.
Q5:
Hearing amplifier is working, but the sound is very low.
ANS: • Check if the battery is dying. Change the battery to a new one.
• Check to see if your device is dirty. Clean your device with a brush and
lint-free cloth. Clean your battery compartment, ear dome and microphone.
• Check if there is moisture built up. Place your device in a dehumidifier box or
drying kit for a few hours and see if that helps.
Q1:
Should I wear one hearing amplifier or two?
ANS: Two hearing amplifiers should be fitted to maximize sound quality and detect
which direction sounds are coming from when the hearing loss is in both ears.
Due to different levels of hearing loss in ears you may need only one hearing
amplifier.
Q2:
How often should I change the ear domes?
ANS: Due to regular tear and wear you will eventually need to replace the ear domes of
your hearing amplifier. Replacement varies by user, but typically you should replace
them every two months. You may purchase ear domes at www.hearingspaces.com.
Q3:
Will a hearing amplifier cure my hearing loss?
ANS: No. A hearing amplifier helps with hearing loss by making sounds louder in the
ear but does not return the function of the ear to “normal”.
Q4:
Why do the prices of hearing amplifiers vary so much?
ANS: Traditional providers mark hearing amplifiers up more than 10 times to cover
overhead and other miscellaneous costs, such as service cost and office rent.
Hearing Spaces Inc. cuts out the middlemen by working with one top-tier
independent manufacturer and delivering directly to you.
Q5:
How many years should I expect my hearing amplifier to last?
ANS: The average hearing amplifier lasts between 3-5 years. However, hearing
amplifier technology changes rapidly, like computers, and new technology may
benefit you greatly.
Q6:
Can I sleep with my hearing amplifiers?
ANS: We recommend that you remove your hearing amplifiers and open the battery
door to help conserve battery life.
Q7:
Can I wear my hearing amplifiers when I take shower, bath or swim?
No. Please remove your hearing amplifiers prior to any aquatic activity.
Q8:
Why is my battery life short?
ANS: • There are many reasons for shortened battery life. The main reason is simply
a bad pack of batteries, but you may do a few things to make sure you get
the most out of each one.
• Anytime when you are not using hearing amplifier, turn it off, put it in a safe spot
and leave it with the battery door open. This minimizes battery drain and allows
moisture to evaporate, keeping the battery from corroding and damaging your
device. Always keep hearing amplifier batteries at room temperature.
• Finally, after you peel off the sticker on the battery, let the battery sit for
5 minutes to activate it before you place it into your hearing amplifier. This
increases battery life by as much as 85%.
Q9:
Why does my voice sound too loud?
ANS: This is known as occlusion effect. You may experience “hollow” or “booming”
echo-like sounds of your own voice. This is caused by bone-conducted sound
vibrations echoing off the hearing amplifier in your ear canal. The occlusion
effect is very common among new hearing amplifier users. Most people get
used to this effect over time. Turning down the volume may help.
3.1 Be patient and stick with it
On average, it takes many years for hearing-impaired people to finally do something
about it. Before they get hearing amplifiers they have forgotten what it is like to have
normal hearing.
That is why voices and traffic noises may seem very loud and strange when using a
hearing amplifier for the first time. Generally, the sounds are quite different when
compared to normal hearing.
People who have never used hearing amplifiers have extremely high expectations
about their new devices, but they are often disappointed in their first year of active use
because getting used to hearing amplifiers takes so much.
Studies show that people with severe hearing loss experience greater benefits from
using their hearing amplifiers than do people with less hearing loss. You will need to
learn to speak at a comfortable volume after using the hearing device.
You cannot compare hearing amplifiers with glasses. When you use glasses for the first
time, you see the difference right away, but with hearing amplifiers you have to get used
to hearing differently.
You must keep wearing your hearing amplifier - do not put it away if it irritates you. The
longer you use your hearing amplifiers the better you will like them. It takes time and
patience to get used to your new devices.
Based on a survey, 27% of the hearing impaired people said that they needed a few
days to become fully acquainted with their hearing amplifiers. 30% need a couple of
weeks while 26% take months.
3.2 Acclimating at home
Try to accustom yourself to all the new sounds you may hear. Listen to many
background sounds and try to identity them again. Some sounds will seem different
from what you are used to. You will have to identify them again and become used to the
sounds in your environment, such as ticking clocks, footsteps and traffic noises.
If you feel tired, you may take off your device for a little while and have a break.
Gradually, you will be able to wear it for longer periods of time. Soon, you could have it
on comfortably all day long. Try to wear your hearing amplifier all day. In most cases,
you will not get the full benefit of the hearing instruments if you use infrequently.
• Before using your hair spray and wearing cosmetics, you should remove your hearing
amplifier from your ear because these products may damage it.
• Keep your hearing amplifier away from sources of high temperature at all times.
• Do not wear your hearing amplifier when using a hair dryer.
• Do not leave your hearing amplifier exposed to direct sunlight for an extended period
of time.
• Do not let others use your hearing amplifier.
• Do not place your hearing amplifier in the microwave.
• Do not wear a hearing amplifier when conducting an X-ray or MRI scan. Do not expose
the hearing amplifier to strong magnetic fields, high frequency fields, or shortwaves.
• Do not leave your hearing amplifiers inside a parked car in the sun.
• Accumulated earwax in the ear dome and tube will block sound. We highly recommend
removing the earwax and moisture deposits from the ear dome and tube with a
lint-free cloth every time when you put it on. Never use cleaning agents such as
household detergents, soap, etc.
• Never wash or clean the cast because the hearing amplifier will lose its special acoustic
features.
3.3 Talking with another person
Talk to a person in a quiet room face to face. Reading facial expressions will help. At the
beginning the speech sounds may sound different. After your brain gets used to these
new speech sounds, you will hear more clearly.
3.4 Listening to radio or TV
Try listening to news programs first because they usually speak clearly. Then try other
programs.
3.5 Group conversations
There is background noise which makes it more difficult to deal with. Even people
without hearing loss find it difficult to follow discussions sometimes, especially if several
people talk at once.
Move closer to the person that you want to hear and turn your back against the noise.
Do not sit in corners or with your back to the wall. You could be able to master these
situations with more ease and confidence.
3.6 Using a phone
Tilt the receiver edge of the phone lightly on your cheekbone and position the phone
slightly over the ear close to the hearing amplifier’s microphone. The sound flows
directly into the hearing amplifier’s microphone opening. This will stop it from whistling
and ensure the best understanding.
It is very important to realize that you will not experience the exact same benefits from
other persons do. This individuality is a critical component, and your expectations
should be based on your type and degree of hearing loss, your past experience, and the
improvements you personally receive from amplification.
It is important to understand that hearing amplifiers will never be able to restore normal
hearing. Understanding their limitations will help you to benefit from your devices.
Expect your voice to sound different for many reasons. Your voice will sound strange to
you at first - like being in a barrel. This is normal early perception and it is often called
the “occlusion effect”.
7.1 Satisfaction Guaranteed
If for any reason you are not satisfied with the hearing amplifier, you may return it
within 45 days after ship date for a full refund of the original price. Note that we will not
be able to maintain this guarantee if the hearing amplifier has been modified,
tampered with, damaged or repaired by the user.
All Romex hearing amplifiers come with a 12 month warranty that covers
manufacturing defects. The warranty will be invalid if the hearing amplifier has
been modified or damaged by the user, or if repairs have been made without
consent and knowledge of Hearing Spaces Inc.
Purchase Date:
7.2 Returns
If you purchased your amplifier at www.hearingspaces.com, you may return your
hearing amplifier to:
Hearing Spaces Inc.
14321 Franklin Avenue, Unit B, Tustin, CA 92780
If you purchased your amplifier from Amazon, please contact us before you return it to
Amazon. We will give you the best customer service and the best technical support.
Your satisfaction is our first priority.
Phone: 1-888-686-7689 or 001-714-5050731
