Unitron Unison Digital BTE User manual

Unison™
Digital
BTE Guide

Table of Contents
Your Unison™Digital Hearing Aids ..................................1
Practical Solutions to Everyday Problems ......................2
Getting the Most Out of Your Unison™Hearing
Instruments..................................................................3
Using the Unison™Digital BTE Guide .............................4
Turning Your Unison™Hearing Aids On and Off..............5
Putting Your Unison™Hearing Instruments
on Your Ears .................................................................6
Feedback-Free Listening.................................................6
Operating Instructions....................................................7
AssistiveListening Devices.............................................9
Replacing the Battery ....................................................11
Caring for Your Hearing Aids .........................................13
Cleaning Your Unison™Hearing Aids.............................13
Warnings .......................................................................16
Troubleshooting Guide .................................................20
Warning to Hearing Aid Dispensers .............................23

Your Unison™Digital Hearing Aids
Hearing Healthcare Professional: _________________________
_____________________________________________________
Telephone: ___________________________________________
Model: _______________________________________________
Serial Number: ________________________________________
Replacement Batteries: Size 10 Size 13 Size 675
Warranty:_____________________________________________
Use Program 1 for: _____________________________________
Use Program 2 for: ____________________________________
Use Program 3 for: ____________________________________
Date of Purchase: ______________________________________
1

Practical Solutions to Everyday Problems
Congratulations on choosing your new BTE (Behind-the-
Ear) digital hearing instruments. For 40 years, Unitron
Hearing has been committed to making life better for
people with hearing loss. This means a commitment to
developing high-quality hearing solutions that
incorporate special features to solve the everyday
problems and concerns you have with hearing loss and
hearing aids.
The best choice of hearing instrument is different for
everyone: it comes down to your individual hearing loss,
lifestyle, preferences and budget. The Unison™series
meets your unique needs with three high-quality digital
hearing instrument models. Your hearing healthcare
professional helped you choose the right Unison model
and style for your needs.
2

Getting the Most Out of Your Unison™
Hearing Instruments
Adjusting to your new hearing instruments will take
some time. In the beginning it is important that you do
not use the hearing aids for longer than is comfortable.
Depending on your previous experience with hearing
instruments, a few hours a day may be enough and then
you can increase wearing time gradually. Once you have
become accustomed to your hearing aids, you should
wear them all day every day since infrequent use will
not permit you to adapt to your hearing aids and enjoy
their full benefits. The quicker you get used to the
everyday sounds around you, the less you will notice
that you arewearing hearing instruments.
3

Using the Unison™Digital BTE Guide
Refer to the table of contents for a complete listing of
the topics covered in this guide.
There are several different styles of BTEs available. The
diagrams below identify some of the components on
your hearing aids. Have your hearing healthcare
professional place a check beside the diagram that best
describes your BTE style.
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Legend
1Earhook
2Slim Tube
3Microphone and
Microphone Shield
4Program Button
5Volume Control
6Battery Door/On &
Off Switch
7Dome
8 Retention Piece
BTE with
Volume Control
BTE with
Slim Tube
BTE without
Volume Control
1
3
4
5
6
1
3
4
6
2
3
4
6
7
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Turning Your Unison™Hearing Aids
On and Off
Your hearing aids have a three-position battery door
that acts as an off/on switch and that allows access to
the battery compartment.
To turn the hearing aid on, close the battery door fully.
Note: If the start up mute is activated, your hearing aids
will not turn on until the program button is pushed.
Toturn the hearing aid off, partially open the battery
door. This position allows excess moisture to vent away
from the battery compartment. Note: If you haveahigh
power BTE with a 675 battery, you also have an on/off
switch in the volume control.
To replace the hearing aid battery, fully open the battery
door for access to the battery compartment.
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on off open
Note: When turning your
hearing aid on and off, grasp
the top and bottom of the aid
with your index finger and
thumb. Use your thumb to open
and close the battery door.

Putting Your Unison™Hearing
Instruments on Your Ears
BTEs with Slim Tubes
1. Place the hearing instrument over the top of your ear.
2. Hold the slim tube where it attaches to the dome and
gently push the dome into your ear canal. The slim
tube should lie flush against your head and not stick
out.
3. Place the retention piece in your ear so it rests at the
bottom of the opening of your ear canal.
4. Repeat steps 1-3 for your other ear if you wear two
hearing aids.
BTEs with Earhooks
1. Place the hearing instrument over the top of your ear.
2. Carefully insert the earmold in your ear. The earmold
should fit into your ear snugly and comfortably.
3. Repeat steps 1-2 for your other ear if you wear two
hearing aids.
6

Feedback-Free Listening
Your hearing aids may have an optional start up mute
that can be activated by your hearing healthcare
professional. If the start up mute is activated, your
hearing aids will not turn on until the program button is
pushed, even if the battery door is in the ON position.
The hearing aids return to the start up mute position
each time you turn your hearing aids on. This allows you
to insert your hearing aids without experiencing
whistling.
If you wear hearing aids now, you may haveexperienced
whistling from your hearing aids when you talk, chew,
use the telephone or hug someone. Unison’s feedback
technology dramatically reduces this uncomfortable
whistling before you or anyone else can perceive it.
7

Operating Instructions
Changing Programs on Your Unison™Digital
Hearing Aids
Your Unison digital hearing aids may have up to three
programs. Each program has been individually tailored
by your hearing healthcare professional to meet your
particular listening needs.
Your hearing aids are equipped with a push-button for
switching between programs. Each time you push the
program button, you will move to a new program. Your
hearing aids beep to indicate which program you are in
(i.e. one beep for program 1, two beeps for program 2,
etc.) If you prefer, your hearing healthcare professional
can adjust the pitch and loudness of the program beep
or turn it off entirely.
Adjusting the Volume
The volume on your hearing aids may adjust
automatically in response to the loud or quiet sounds
around you. If you have a manual volume control, you
can further adjust the volume on your hearing aids. The
manual volume control dial is numbered one to four.
One indicates that the volume is at the minimum level
and four indicates that the volume is at the maximum
level. Rotate the volume control upward to increase the
volume or downward to decrease the volume. Note that
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your volume control may be disabled by your hearing
healthcare professional and, therefore, could be
inactive.
Setting Your Ideal Volume
Unison digital hearing instruments equipped with
manual volume control have an ideal volume indicator.
Asingle beep indicates when the volume control has
reached its ideal level for your particular hearing loss, as
pre-set by your hearing healthcare professional.
Listening in Quiet and Noisy Environments
Your Unison digital hearing aids have a directional
microphone system which focuses on sounds in front of
you (e.g., speech) while reducing sounds from the sides
or behind you (e.g., noise). Your directional system is
activated by the push of the program button. Your
hearing healthcareprofessional will tell you which
program(s) contain the directional microphones.
Replacing the Microphone Protectors
Your Unison digital hearing aids have a shield to protect
the microphones from dirtand debris. Debris on the
microphone protector reduces the sound quality of the
instrument. You should have the microphone protectors
replaced byyour hearing healthcare professional
approximately every three months to ensure optimal
sound quality.
9

Using Unison™with Telecoil for the Telephone
Unison hearing aids come equipped with an optional
telecoil that can help you listen on the telephone. The
telecoil program is selected with the program button.
When using the telecoil, center the telephone receiver
on the hearing aid and move the receiver along the
hearing aid to locate the clearest, strongest signal. You
may have to increase the volume of your hearing aid
slightly. To return to normal listening, push the program
button. Your hearing aid will beep to indicate which
program you are in.
Assistive Listening Devices
Listening in Public Places
Unison’s telecoil can also help you listen in public places
equipped with telecoil compatible assistive listening
devices such as a loop system. If your hearing aids do
not operate when the telecoil is on, the loop system
may not be operating or you may be in a “dead” spot.
Try positioning yourself in a different part of the looped
area or return your hearing aids to the microphone
position and sit as close to the speaker as possible.
Connecting to External Audio Sources
Your Unison hearing aids may feature optional direct
audio input (DAI) to connect to other audio sources
such as a stereo or television. You will need to purchase
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the direct audio input system and a
connector cord from your hearing
healthcare professional before you can
connect to external audio sources.
DAI can also be used to fit your hearing
aids with an assistive listening device,
such as a FM system, which you may
purchase to improve listening in difficult situations.
Note: If your hearing instruments are the small BTE
Moda (see “Using the Unison Digital BTE Guide”), your
digital hearing aids are not compatible with direct
audio input, MicroLink MLx or an FM system.
Listening Over Distance
Your Unison hearing aids may be compatible with
Phonak’s MicroLink™Receiver Module, a wireless FM
system that improves listening over distance. The MLx
FM receiver module connects to the direct audio input
system and is powered by the hearing aid battery.
See also “Direct Audio Input”
Using FM and Infrared Systems
Some FM systems consist of a teleloop worn around the
neck, which is connected to the FM receiver worn on a
belt or in a shirt pocket. To listen through the FM
system, select the telecoil program and turn on the FM
receiver. To keep the signal clear, you may need to
adjust the volume control on your hearing aids, as well
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as on the FM receiver.
With some infrared systems you may need to remove
your hearing aids and wear the system’s headset
receiver. If the volume on the infrared receiver is not
loud enough, use your hearing aids instead.
Replacing the Battery
1. Gently swing out the battery compartment door with
your fingernail.
2. Grasp the battery with your thumb and index finger
and remove.
3. Insertthe new battery into the battery compartment
with the plus (+) sign on the battery facing the same
way as the plus (+) sign on the edge of the battery
door.This will ensurethat the battery door closes
properly.
Note: If the battery is inserted incorrectly,the door will
not close.
4. Close the battery compartment door.
Low Battery Warning
When you hear one long beep, your digital hearing aids
are warning you that their batteries are low. You will
hear the warning approximately every 30 minutes until
you change the batteries or the batteries die. After the
first warning, you may experience some reduction in
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sound quality. This is normal and can be remedied by
inserting fresh batteries in the hearing aids. If you
prefer, your hearing healthcare professional can change
the pitch and loudness of the low battery beep or turn it
off entirely.
Caring for Batteries
• Always discard batteries carefully.
• To prolong battery life, remember to turn your
hearing aids off when not in use.
• Remove the batteries and keep the battery door
open while hearing aids are not in use. This will allow
internal moisture to evaporate.
Battery Warnings
•Never leavehearing aids or batteries wheresmall
children and pets can reach them.
•Never put hearing aids or batteries in your mouth. If
ahearing aid or battery is swallowed, call a physician
immediately.
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Caring for Your Hearing Aids
• Always remove your hearing aids when using hair
care products. The hearing aids can become clogged
and cease to function properly.
• Protect your hearing aids from excessive heat (hair
dryer, vehicle glove box or dashboard) and moisture
(bath or shower). Do not immerse the hearing aids in
water.
• If your hearing aids do become wet, do not attempt
to dry them in an oven or microwave. Do not adjust
any controls. Open the battery doors immediately,
and allow your hearing aids to dry naturally for 24
hours.
• Regular use of a dehumidifier,such as a Dri-Aid kit,
can help prevent corrosion. See your hearing
healthcareprofessional for more information.
• Do not drop your hearing aids or knock them against
hardsurfaces.
14

Cleaning Your Unison™Hearing Aids
Ear wax is natural and common. Ensuring your hearing
aids and earmolds are free of ear wax is an important
step in your daily cleaning and maintenance routine.
• Never use alcohol to clean your hearing aids or
earmolds.
• Do not use sharp tools to dislodge ear wax. Sticking
household items into your hearing aids or earmolds
can seriously damage them.
Cleaning the Earmolds
If your Unison hearing aids have earhooks (see “Using
the Unison Digital BTE Guide”), your hearing healthcare
professional fit you with customized earmolds.
Earmolds send amplified sound from the hearing aids
into the ears. They must fit into your ears snugly and
comfortably. If amplified sound leaks out of your ear,
you may hear whistling.
Always ensure earmolds are clean and free of ear wax
and moisture. Do not use alcohol to clean your
earmolds. If the earmolds become plugged, clear the
opening with a wax loop or pipe cleaner. If your
physician prescribes eardrops, clean any moisture that
may get into the earmolds or tubing to prevent
plugging.
If the earmolds require further cleaning, disconnect the
15

plastic tube from the hook of the hearing aids. Wash
only the earmolds in warm water with a mild soap. Rinse
them with cool water and allow them to dry overnight.
Make sure the earmold tubes are dry before
reconnecting them to each hook on your hearing aids.
Cleaning the Slim Tubes and Domes
If your hearing instruments have slim tubes (see “Using
the Unison Digital BTE Guide”), you need to ensure that
the tubes and domes are free of ear wax and moisture.
You should have the slim tubes and domes replaced by
your hearing healthcare professional approximately
every three months or when they become stiff or brittle.
Clean the domes daily with a damp cloth. You should
also clean the slim tubes periodically, with the cleaning
pin provided, when you begin to notice debris in and
around the tubes.
Toclean the slim tubes and domes:
1. Hold the slim tube in one hand and the hearing
instrument in the other hand.
2. Gently turn the hearing instrument until it detaches
from the slim tube.
3. Use a damp cloth to clean the outside of the slim
tube and the dome.
4. Using the black cleaning pin provided in the kit,
gently insertthe cleaning pin wherethe slim tube
16

attaches to the hearing instrument and push the pin
all the way through the tube and out through the
dome.
Note: The slim tubes and domes should never be
rinsed or submerged in water as water drops may
become lodged in the tube, block sound or damage the
electrical components of the hearing instrument.
5. Once the slim tube has been cleaned, reattach the
slim tube to the hearing instrument using the tool
provided.
17

Warnings
• Hearing aids should only be used as directed by your
physician or hearing healthcare professional.
• Hearing aids will not restore normal hearing and will
not prevent or improve a hearing impairment
resulting from organic conditions.
• Do not use your hearing aids in explosion hazard
areas.
• Allergic reactions to hearing aids are unlikely.
However, if you experience itching, redness,
soreness, inflammation or a burning sensation in or
around your ears, inform your hearing healthcare
professional and contact your physician.
• Remove your hearing aids for CT and MRI scans or for
other electromagnetic procedures.
• Only plug the DAI cables into devices that produce
safe voltages of less than 3 volts.
• Special care should be exercised in wearing hearing
aids when maximum sound pressure levels exceed
132 decibels. Theremay be a risk of impairing your
remaining hearing. Speak with your hearing
healthcare professional to ensure the maximum
output of your hearing aids is suitable for your
particular hearing loss.
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