Sonic VELOCITY 4 Open BTE User manual

User Guide
VELOCITY™ OPEN BTE
www.sonici.com

Owner Information
Hearing Aid Serial Number(s):
Left: _______________ Right ______________
Hearing Aid Model(s):
Left: _______________ Right ______________
Battery Size(s):
Left: _______________ Right ______________
Memory Number Listening Situation
1
2
3

Table of Contents
Owner Information .......................................................2
Hearing Expectations ...................................................4
Your Hearing Aid...........................................................6
Your Open BTE Hearing Aid .........................................7
Turning Your Hearing Aid On and Off...........................9
Start Up Delay...............................................................10
Putting on Your Open BTE Hearing Aid .......................11
Removing Your Open BTE Hearing Aid ........................12
Using the Program Button...........................................13
Changing The Battery...................................................14
Telephone Use ..............................................................16
SmartTones™................................................................16
Removing Feedback/Squeal.........................................17
The Sound Tube............................................................18
The Sound Dome ..........................................................19
Warranty .......................................................................20
Repair............................................................................20
Maintenance and Care .................................................21
Troubleshooting............................................................22
Warning to Hearing Aid Users .....................................24
Get the Most from your Hearing Aid............................25

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Hearing Expectations
Set Appropriate Expectations
It is important that you have the right expectations
regarding your hearing aids. Hearing aids will give you
better hearing, but they are not a cure for hearing loss.
People whose expectations are too high (“I thought
they would make my hearing normal”) are likely to be
disappointed and may give up.
Hearing Aids Can:
• Help you hear and understand better in most
situations.
• Allow you to participate more in group situations
and meetings.
Hearing Aids Cannot:
• Give you normal hearing.
Hearing Aids May Not:
• Let you hear very soft sounds.
• Block ALL background noises–especially in
noisy groups. Even people without hearing loss
may have difficulty hearing in the presence of
background noise.

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Be Patient
Unlike eyeglasses, which correct your vision as soon
as you first put them on, hearing aids need some time
for proper adjustment. It may take several weeks or
months to completely adjust to your hearing aids, so try
to be patient. During the first week or so, try different
listening situations, such as one-on-one conversations
with family and friends and conversations with two
or three people at home or in quiet settings. Also, try
having conversations in noisier places like parties,
restaurants, meetings, and outdoors. Do not forget
that some situations are simply too noisy in general—
even for people without hearing loss. So, do not get
discouraged.
Consistent use of your hearing aid is strongly
recommended. In most cases, infrequent use does not
allow you to obtain the full benefit from your aid.
The use of a hearing aid is only a part of total hearing
rehabilitation, and may need to be supplemented by
auditory training and instruction in lip reading.

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Your Hearing Aid
Thank you for purchasing a Sonic hearing aid. Sonic
incorporates an advanced digital processor for more lifelike
sound. With your hearing aid, you’ll be able to enjoy more
natural everyday sound quality.
Your hearing aid has been programmed to fit your
hearing and communication needs. If you feel your
program needs to change, your hearing healthcare
provider can make changes to improve the sound.
Please review this instruction guide carefully. It contains
information on the use and care of your hearing aid. With
proper use and care, your hearing aid will improve your
connection with the world around you.

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Your Open BTE Hearing Aid
7
Sound
Tube
Dome
Battery
Compartment
Front
Microphone
Rear
Microphone
Program
Button
Sound
Outlet
Retention Lock

SONIC
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8
Manufacturer
Serial Number

OPEN BTE USER GUIDE
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Turning Your Hearing Aid On and Off
The On/Off switch for your hearing aid is integrated into
the battery compartment door.
When the battery compartment is fully closed the
hearing aid is turned on.
Turn your hearing aid off by opening the battery
compartment until the battery no longer touches the
contacts. In that position, the power is off.
To prolong battery life, turn your hearing aid off when
not in use.
On
Off

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Start Up Delay
Your hearing aid may have a delayed start up feature,
which allows you to insert your hearing aid without
creating feedback or whistling.
This feature can be activated by your hearing
healthcare provider and set to meet your individual time
requirements for putting on the hearing aid.
When this feature is activated, closing the battery
compartment turns the hearing aid on and begins the
start up countdown. You will hear a series of beeps
while the countdown is in process. Position the hearing
aid in your ear. After several seconds, the hearing aid
will turn on and you will hear the “power on” tones play,
indicating the hearing aid is fully activated.

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Putting on Your Open BTE Hearing Aid
1. Place your hearing aid over
the top of your ear.
2. Grasp the sound tube where
it bends and push the dome
into your ear canal. The dome
should be placed far enough
into the ear that the sound
tube lies flush with your head.
When the dome is placed
appropriately, you will not be
able to see the sound tube
sticking out when you look
directly into a mirror.
3. Use your finger to
position the retention
lock comfortably in
the bowl of your ear.

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Removing Your Open BTE Hearing Aid
To remove your hearing aid, hold the sound tube and
gently pull the dome out of your ear canal. Lift the
hearing aid case from behind your ear. Open the battery
compartment to turn off the device.
Important
Should the dome become separated from the sound
tube and remain lodged in your ear canal after removal
of the hearing aid, DO NOT attempt to remove the
dome yourself. Seek immediate care from your hearing
healthcare provider or physician.

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Using the Program Button
Your hearing aid has a program
button that allows you to choose
different listening programs.
When you first turn on your
hearing aid (by closing the
battery compartment), your
hearing aid will be in listening
program 1.
Each time you press the
program button, you move to
the next listening program. The sequence is 1, 2, 3, 1...
Your hearing aid may use SmartTones™ to help you
identify which program you are using. When you select
program 1 you will hear one beep, program 2 will emit
two beeps, and so on.
Note
Your hearing care provider may not activate all listening
programs.
Program Button

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Changing The Battery
The life of your hearing aid battery will vary depending
on your hearing program, the listening situation, and the
length of daily use. A SmartTone™ tone sequence will tell
you when the battery in your hearing aid is low. When you
hear the warning, change the battery in your hearing aid. If
the battery gets so low that it cannot supply enough power
to your hearing aid, a SmartTone™ “power off” sequence
will play and the aid will shut off. Place a new battery in
the aid to turn it back on. If your hearing aid is not in use,
open the battery door to slow the battery use.
Always remove the battery if your aid is not in use for long
periods.
Battery Type
Stainless steel zinc-air batteries are recommended.
Your hearing aid uses a #13 battery.
Change Batteries Regularly
Below is a table designed to help you determine when
you should change the batteries. The exact battery life
you experience may vary.
Hearing Aid Model Battery Type Change Battery Every*
Open BTE #13 240-280 hours
*Approximate number of hours.

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Remove the old battery:
1. Open the battery
compartment by
pushing up on the
battery door catch.
2. Turn the aid over and gently shake the battery
out into your hand. Be careful not to lose the
battery.
Insert a new battery:
1. Place a new battery
into the battery
compartment, plus
side facing left.
2. Close the battery door.

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Telephone Use
Your hearing aid allows you to use the telephone as you
normally would. Select the listening program on your
hearing aid that is best for you when using the phone.
If you experience discomfort from the dome pressing
in your ear canal, you may need a different size sound
tube. In this case contact your hearing healthcare
provider.
SmartTones™
Event Tone Description
Start Up Delay A slow sequence of double beeps.
Power On A fast sequence of beeps rising in pitch.
Program Change A sequence of beeps rising in pitch. Number of
beeps matches listening program position.
Low Battery A slow, double beep from a high to low pitch.
Dying Battery A fast sequence of beeps descending in pitch.

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Removing Feedback/Squeal
Your hearing aid may have the ability to address
feedback (whistle/squeal).
To remove feedback:
1. Make sure you are in a quiet environment.
2. Press and hold the program button on your hearing
aid for four seconds until you hear tones.
Note: If you do not hear the tones, this feature is
not enabled for your hearing aid.
3. Remove your finger from the program button and
from the vicinity of the hearing aid. You will hear
several bursts of noise.
After your hearing aid is trained you will hear the power
up tones play. Your hearing aid will return to your first
listening program.

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The Sound Tube
The sound tube and the dome should be cleaned regularly:
1. Remove the sound tube from the hearing aid by pulling
it off. (Use your thumbnail if you have difficulty.)
2. Use a damp cloth to clean the outside of the sound
tube and dome.
3. Use the black cleaning rod to push any debris out of
the sound tube. The cleaning rod should be inserted
where the sound tube attaches to the hearing aid
casing and pushed all the way through the sound
tube and out through the dome. Clean the end of the
cleaning rod before withdrawing it from the tube.
4. To attach the sound tube snap it straight onto the
hearing aid.
5. You should never attempt
to modify the shape of the
sound tube yourself.
1 2

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It is not recommended that you submerge or rinse the
sound tube or dome in water. Water may become lodged
in the sound tube. If this should occur, it will prevent
sound from coming through the sound tube, and may be
harmful to the electronics of the hearing aid.
The sound tube conducts the amplified sound from the
hearing aid to your ear. It is important that the sound
tube and the dome fit correctly into your ear. If the
sound tube or the dome irritates your ear in any way
and prevents you from wearing your hearing aid, please
contact your hearing healthcare provider.
The sound tube and dome should be changed every third
month, or sooner if the sound tube becomes stiff or brittle.
The Sound Dome
We recommend that your hearing healthcare provider
change the domes for you. If your hearing healthcare
provider instructs you to change the domes yourself,
make sure that they are securely fastened to the
sound tube before you insert them in your ear. Failure
to change the domes in accordance with these
instructions could result in personal injury.

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Warranty
Sonic will repair any defective hearing aid part within
the period covered by your warranty. Ask your hearing
healthcare provider for details. Labor and parts are
covered by this limited warranty. If your hearing aid
malfunctions, contact your hearing healthcare provider.
Accessory items, such as batteries, are not covered
under the warranty. Loss and damage due to misuse,
abuse, accidents, tampering, or negligence are
not covered under the warranty. If your hearing aid
malfunctions, it must be serviced by an authorized
Sonic service representative or your warranty may
be voided.
Note
Your hearing healthcare provider may charge a service
fee for processing warranty repairs.
Repair
Refer to the back cover of this booklet for the nearest
repair facility or, if you have any questions regarding
repairs, contact your hearing healthcare provider.