Sarabec LA215 User manual

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SPECIFICATIONS
Power Supply • 95-265v 50-60Hz AC 20VA Max via Fig 8 mains lead.
Controls • Rotary VOLUME control to vary the output level.
• Rotary TONE control to vary the output tone.
• ON/OFF power push button switch.
• AGC, PRIORITY, MIC and LINE functions
Input connections • 2x microphone inputs A/B. 3.5mm mono jack plug.
DC powered for electret microphones.
• 2x Aux In Left/Right line inputs. Phono/RCA sockets.
For direct connection to a TV sound output or other
audio source via SCART or other suitable socket.
Output connections • Push grip connectors for loop cable or loop pad
(Labelled: Loop Cable). Loop will give full output
with loop resistance between 0.5 and 1.5 Ohms.
Headphone output • 3.5mm stereo jack for headphones (Phones) 8-60
Ohms.
Loop output •2.85A output current @ 100-5kHz. Sufficient to meet
BS EN 60118-4:2006 in a loop not exceeding
6.25m(20ft) in width for most domestic situations
(approx 50m2).
Loop cable •Single turn loop cable. Standard system supplied
with 37m (120ft) 24/0.2 (0.75mm2)single core PVC
insulated cable and cable clips. Minimum cable
length 11m = 0.5 Ohms.
Indicators and • Blue Light Emitting Diode (LED) for Power On
indication.
Functions •Red Light Emitting Diode (LED) Loop Level Indicator
Sarabec Ltd declares that the LA215 complies with the relevant EU directives. The full
declaration of conformance for the LA215 is available from Sarabec Ltd.
LA215 Instruction book 12/10/07 07:42 Page 1

1. Check contents of package.
2. Place amplifier near TV or sound source with or without
stand.
3. Connect audio leads between TV etc. and Loop Amplifier.
4. Run loop cable around room and connect both ends of wire to
the loop cable connectors on the loop amplifier.
5. Plug the mains lead into the back of the amplifier and into a
convenient mains socket
6. Switch hearing aid to “T”
7. Switch on TV and Loop Amplifier; adjust volume/tone to suit
listening level.
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Quick Setup
The Sarabec LA215 Loop System provides a practical solution for
hearing aid users to listen more easily to their TV or Audio equipment via
the “T” or “MT” facility of their hearing aid.
With no direct connection between the user and the TV the user is able
to move freely within the looped area and listen comfortably to the TV or
other equipment without the distractions of normal listening.
The Loop System is used in conjunction with a hearing aid with a switch
position marked "T" or "MT", this is found on most 'behind the ear'
hearing aids and some ‘in the ear’hearing aids. The system picks up
the sound from the TV via a microphone or direct connection and feeds
it to the amplifier. The amplifier passes the sound to a loop of wire
around the listening area, which in turn transmits the sound inductively,
“magnetic sound waves”, to the hearing aid. The user may then adjust
the loop volume to suit their own hearing preference without affecting
other people.
The Loop System is supplied with Loop Cable to be placed around a
room that you want to listen in. The sound can be heard anywhere inside
the “looped” area and sometimes just outside the loop as well.
ALoop Pad can be used as an alternative to the loop cable to create a
localised or portable system to avoid interference with other systems or
whereconfidentiality is concerned.
INTRODUCTION
LA215 Instruction book 12/10/07 07:42 Page 3

PRODUCT OVERVIEW
An enhanced microprocessor controlled loop amplifier with outstanding
sound quality designed to be used with modern audio and video
products to transmit the sound direct to your hearing aid. Your hearing
aid must be switched to the T position to use the loop system. You can
also enjoy the benefits of the loop amplifier by simply plugging a set of
headphones into the headphone socket on the front of the amplifier. For
best results connect the amplifier directly to your TV or other sound
source using the lead kit supplied.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
9
1) Volume Control
2) Tone Control
3) Headphone Output
4) Loop level Indicator
5) Mic sensitivity
6) PRIority
7) Power On/Off
8) AGC
9) Line Input select
The manufacturer cannot be held responsible for damage which is caused by not
using the Loop System in compliance with the safety precautions.
• Do not open casing of Loop Amplifier at any time; NO user serviceable
parts can be found inside.
• Ensure mains power is disconnected BEFORE any connections are made
to the Loop Amplifier.
• Do not expose the Loop Amplifier, cable and accessories to rain or any
other source of moisture.
• Ensure that there is enough room around the Loop Amplifier for ventilation
purposes. Do not cover the ventilation holes of the amplifier with anything.
• Do not place the Loop Amplifier close to sources of heat, such as
radiators.
United Kingdom connection to mains supply
•This apparatus must be protected by a 3amp fuse if a 13amp(BS1363)
plug is used. Be sure to replace the fuse only with an identical approved
type, as originally fitted, and to replace the fuse cover.
•IMPORTANT: The wires in this mains lead are coloured in accordance
with the following code: - Blue: Neutral, Brown: Live.
• If you need to change the mains plug supplied, the colours of the wires in
the mains lead of this apparatus may not correspond with the coloured
markings identifying the terminals in your plug. Proceed as follows: The
wire which is coloured BLUE must be connected to the terminal marked
with the letter N or coloured BLACK. The wire coloured BROWN must be
connected to the terminal which is marked with the letter L or coloured
RED. DO NOT make any connection to the terminal which is marked with
the letter E or coloured GREEN.
IF IN DOUBT - SEEK EXPERT ADVICE
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Sarabec ltd
Middlesbrough UK
95-265V~ 50-60 Hz 20 VA
Loop cable 0.5 - 1.5 Ohms Line input level Line input Microphone
10 11 12 13 14
15 16
DO NOT OPEN
No user serviceable parts inside
BA
BA
10) Mains socket
11) Loop Cable
Connectors
12) Line Level control
13) Line Input B
14) Line Input A
15) Mic Input B
16) Mic Input A
17) Amplifier Stand
17
LA215 Instruction book 12/10/07 07:42 Page 5

Loop Cable
• Run the loop cable around the room starting
and ending at the amplifier, figure (A). The
cable may be tucked under the edge of the
carpet, or fixed to either a picture / dado rail,
or skirting board with the clips provided.
Where the cable passes a door or other
obstacle, either fix the cable around the frame
or tuck under the carpet. The cable only has to
go round the area to be looped, it does not
matter about going up and over doors/windows
or round fireplaces etc.
• Connect both ends of the loop cable to the loop
cable connectors, one wire in each connector.
A
Excess loop wire may be cut off, provided a MINIMUM of 11metres (35feet)
is left connected to the amplifier.
Loop Pad
• Place the loop pad in a suitable position on the chair to be used for
listening, either on the chair back or under the seating area. Lay the
connecting lead from the Pad to the back of the Amplifier. Make
sure that the connecting lead is kept out of the way to prevent injury
or obstruction.
• Attach the connecting lead to the loop cable connectors, one wire in
each connector.
Connect to TV or other sound source
For best results connect your loop amplifier with the direct
connection lead kit.
Connect Loop Cable or Loop Pad to the amplifier
When the loop cable connector buttons arepushed in a hole will appear.
Push the bare wire into the hole. Ensure that only the bare wire and not
the plastic insulation goes in, then release the button. Figure (B).
Aloop system is supplied ready for use with the following items
• Loop Amplifier with stand.
• Mains lead with fitted plug.
• 1 Microphone with Velcro™ pads
• Direct connection lead kit : 1.2m phono – phono lead, SCART to
phono adaptor and 3.5mm stereo jack to phono adaptor
• 37m(120ft) Loop Cable and pack of 50 cable clips OR Loop Pad with
5m (15ft) connecting cable
• Guarantee Card
• Operating Instructions
Place the amplifier in a convenient well ventilated area near to the TV or
other audio source.
SETTING UP
IMPORTANT
Always disconnect from mains supply before making any connections
LA215 Instruction book 12/10/07 07:42 Page 7

Before switching on, ensure that the Volume control (1) is set to minimum
and the Tone control (2) is set in the normal position (12 ‘o’ clock).
To switch on press the Power button (7), the blue indicator will illuminate.
To switch off press the Power button again and the blue indicator will
go off.
Set the television or other audio equipment to the normal listening level
for other members of the household. Switch your hearing aid to the ‘T’
position. Adjust the loop amplifier volume for best results.
Volume control (1)
Use to adjust the volume of the signal received by the hearing aid.
Tone control (2)
Use to vary the tone of the signal. In the clockwise direction the higher
frequencies will be emphasised and in the anti-clockwise direction the
lower frequencies will be emphasised.
Headphone socket (3)
The Headphone socket may be used with headphones that have a
stereo 3.5mm plug fitted. This may be used by a non-hearing aid user to
receive amplified sound. It can also be used to test that the loop system
is set up correctly.Headphones used in this way will not affect the
performance of the loop system for hearing aid users. The headphone
socket may be used without a loop cable being connected.
Loop level Indicator (4)
This indicates that a signal is being transmitted by the loop cable. It
flickers with a low volume and remains steady with louder volumes.
Testing the system can be done by speaking into a microphone and
seeing the light flash, this will indicate that a signal is flowing round the
cable.
OPERATION
Direct connections
The preferred method to connect the loop amplifier
to your TV or other sound system is to use the line
input of the Loop Amplifier. This uses the red/white
phono audio connectors on the rear of the Loop
Amplifier (13) or (14).
Using the lead kit supplied, connect the lead to a
similar set of phono sockets on the rear of the TV or other equipment.
If you are only connecting 1 piece of equipment use the two sockets
marked A (14). The second set marked B (13) can be used to connect
to a second piece of sound equipment. The line switch (9) selects the
sound from either channel A (no light) or B (lit)
If the TV or other sound source does not have a set of phono connectors
then use the SCART or jack adaptors accordingly to connect the
equipment. If you use the jack adaptor you may find that when plugging
into a headphone socket on your TV etc., this turns off the internal
speaker. On some TVs there may be a switch that allows the TV speaker
to be left on.
The line level control (12) can be used to alter the overall loudness of the
line inputs and can be used to balance them with the sound from a
microphone if necessary.
Microphones
If a direct connection is not possible then a microphone can be used to
pick up the sound from a TV or other loudspeaker.Microphones can
also be used for someone to speak directly into the loop system so they
can speak directly to the hearing aid user while they listen to TV. A
microphone can also be used in either a classroom or other public
speaking situations.
Amicrophone can be used at the same time as the line inputs to monitor
environmental sounds such as a doorbell or telephone bell.
Power
Plug the mains power lead into the 2 pin socket (10) on the rear of the
amplifier and then plug into a mains outlet. Switch on the power at the
outlet.
LA215 Instruction book 12/10/07 07:42 Page 9

PROBLEM’S AND CURES
Symptom Possible cause and remedy
No sound. • Re-check all connections.
Check diagrams.
• Amplifier not switched on. Switch on at mains socket.
Press mains switch. Check Blue LED light is on.
• Microphone not plugged in or other audio source not
connected.
• Hearing aid not on “T/MT” or “T” facility not working.
Low sound. • Microphone too far from sound.
• Loop cable wired incorrectly.
• Volume control set too low. Turn up volume on amplifier.
• Radio or TV volume set too low. Turn up volume on Radio
or TV.
• Line Input Level Control too low. Turn up.
Distorted sound • Loop Volume control too high. (Loop Level indicator on)
Turn volume down.
• Radio or TV volume set too high.
Turn down volume on Radio or TV.
• Line Input Level Control too high.Turn down.
• Move microphone away from loud speaker.
• Microphone plug/lead damaged.
Background noise • If noise remains when loop amplifier is turned off but
hearing aid is still on “T”, this is interference caused by
other equipment such as TV, fluorescent lights or dimmer
switches. With the loop amplifier turned off and the
hearing aid still on “T” turn items off in turn until the
noise goes away.
• If noise stops when the loop amplifier is turned off there
may be a fault in the system or microphone lead or noise
is being picked up by the microphone.
(hum or buzz)
FUNCTION BUTTONS
All the function buttons are operated in the
same way. Press the button to turn on, the
associated led will light. Press the button
again to turn off and the led will go out.
MIC microphone sensitivity (5)
This function adjusts the sensitivity of the
microphone channel.
This can be useful if the room is noisy as the background sounds can be
reduced. It can also be used to balance the system when used in
conjunction with line inputs.
PRI priority function (6)
If a microphone is plugged into socket B (15) and this function is on,
then the any sound received by it will override all the other sounds in the
loop system. This can be useful when monitoring a doorbell or
telephone bell or if someone wants to attract the attention of the hearing
aid user through the loop.
Power (7)
Turns the amplifier on and off.
AGC Automatic Gain Control (8)
When activated this function will limit the loop output to a maximum level
set by the volume control.
This can be useful to stop the volume going above a set level that the
user might find annoying, such as during commercial breaks on TV.
LINE Line Input selector (9)
Useful if you want to listen to either a television or a sound system
without changing leads. Allows the selection of the line input signal from
either channel A or B but not both. If the light is offchannel A is
selected. If the light is on channel B is selected.
L
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N
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LA215 Instruction book 12/10/07 07:42 Page 11