Widex The MENU ME-9 User manual

USER INSTRUCTIONS
THE MENU™ SERIES
ME-9 model
Behind-the-ear

2
YOUR WIDEX HEARING AID
(To be filled out by the hearing care professional)
This is the model and the listening programs that
have been selected for you:
Model:
ME3-9
ME5-9
ME10-9
Date: ______________________________________
Battery size: 13
Master
Music
TV
T
M+T
Standard
Acclimatization
Audibility Extender
Zen

CONTENTS
SYMBOLS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
DESCRIPTIONOFTHEHEARINGAID . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Rightleftidentification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Acousticindicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Thebattery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Insertingthebattery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Lowbatteryindication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Turningthehearingaidonandoff. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Positioningthehearingaid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Removingthehearingaid. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Volumeadjustment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Listeningprograms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Switchingbetweenthelisteningprograms . . . . . . . .
Usingatelephone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
CLEANING. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Thehearingaid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ACCESSORIES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
INCASEOFMALFUNCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
CARINGFORYOURHEARINGAID. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
WARNINGS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
ADVICE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
REGULATORYINFORMATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
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SYMBOLS
The following symbols will be used throughout the
manual:
WARNING
Messages with this heading indicate serious adverse reactions,
potential safety hazards and inadequate performance of device.
CAUTION
Messages with this heading indicate/include information regard-
ing any special care to be exercised.
Not for general waste.

5
DESCRIPTION OF THE HEARING AID
Your hearing aid is used with an ear-set which consists
of a tube and an ear-tip or earmold.
The illustration below shows the hearing aid without
the ear-set. The choice of ear-set solution depends on
your specific needs. Please refer to the separate ear-set
user manual.
1. Microphone openings
2. Volume control (optional)
3. Program button
4. On/off switch
5. Battery drawer with nail grip
Your hearing aid may be provided with a listening pro-
gram called Zen. It makes musical tones (and some-
times a rushing noise) in the background. These sounds
are shaped according to your hearing loss.
1
2
3
4
5

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NOTE
In addition to these user instructions, a separate user manual is
provided describing the various ear-set solutions available for
your hearing aid: “Ear-sets for Widex BTE hearing aids”.
WARNING
This booklet and the manual “Ear-sets for Widex BTE hearing
aids” contain important information and instructions. Read
these booklets carefully before you start using the hearing aid.
NOTE
Your hearing aid, ear-set and accessories may not look exactly
as illustrated in this booklet. We also reserve the right to make
any changes considered necessary.

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Intended use
The hearing aids are intended as air conduction amplifi-
cation devices to be used in everyday listening environ-
ments. The hearing aids may be provided with the Zen
program intended to provide a relaxing sound back-
ground (i.e. music/noise source) for adults who desire
to listen to such a background in quiet.
Indications for use
The devices are indicated for individuals with a range of
hearing loss severity from minimal (10 dB HL) to severe
(80 dB HL) and all hearing loss configurations.
They are to be programmed by licensed hearing care
professionals (audiologists, hearing aid specialists, oto-
laryngologists) who are trained in hearing (re)habilita-
tion as well as tinnitus management.

8
Right/left identification
If you wear hearing aids on both ears,
the hearing aids can be provided with
colored marks (red mark = right and
blue mark = left).
The arrow shows the position of the
identification mark.
Acoustic indicators
The hearing aid may be set to produce a signal to in-
dicate the use of certain functions. The signal may
be tones (SmartTone) or a spoken message (Smart-
Speak)*. The signal can also be deactivated.
Functions Default
settings
Other
settings
Adjusting volume Tone Off
Confirming program button use Clicking
sound Off
Changing program Tones Message/off
Starting up the hearing aid Tone Message/off
Warning about low battery 4 tones Message/off
Service reminder Off Message
* SmartSpeak not available as a standard feature

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The battery
We recommend zinc-air batteries. Use a size 13 battery
for the hearing aid.
To obtain replacement batteries, please consult your
hearing care professional. It is important to take note
of the expiration date and the recommendations on
the battery pack regarding disposal of used batteries.
Otherwise there is a risk that the battery life may be re-
duced.
Inserting the battery
Before inserting a new battery into the
hearing aid, remember to remove the ad-
hesive tab. Once the tab has been removed,
the battery will start functioning after a few
seconds.
CAUTION
Do not use batteries if there is a sticky residue from the tab or
other unwanted substance, as this can cause the hearing aid to
malfunction.

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Use the nail grip to gently swing the
battery drawer open.
Place the battery in the drawer, so that the plus (+) sign
on the battery faces upward. You can use the battery
magnet provided to steer the battery into place.
If the battery drawer does not close easily, the battery
is incorrectly inserted.
When changing battery, it is a good idea to hold the
hearing aid over a table.
The hearing aid may be provided with a special battery
drawer, helping to secure the battery in the drawer. This
type of drawer can be a good choice if the hearing aid
is worn by a child.

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Low battery indication
An acoustic indicator will sound when the battery is
nearly exhausted, unless this function has been dis-
abled (see page 8). We recommend that you al-
ways have a spare battery with you.
WARNING
Never leave an exhausted battery in the hearing aid. Exhausted
batteries may leak, damaging the hearing aid.
WARNING
Your hearing aid may stop functioning, for instance if the
battery is exhausted. You should be aware of this possibility, in
particular when you are in traffic or are otherwise dependent
on warning signals.

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Turning the hearing aid on and off
The battery drawer of the hearing aid also functions as
the on/off switch.
Push the switch upwards to turn on the
hearing aid. An acoustic indicator will
indicate that the hearing aid has been
switched on unless this function has been
disabled.
Push the switch downwards to turn off
the hearing aid.
The word “OFF” is clearly visible on the
switch when the hearing aid is turned off.
Please remember to turn off the hearing aid when it is
not in use. Remove the battery if the hearing aid will not
be used for several days.
OFF

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Positioning the hearing aid
Insert the earpiece in the ear canal while holding the
lower part of the tube. It may help to pull the outer ear
backwards and upwards with the opposite hand.
Place the hearing aid behind the ear, so that the hear-
ing aid and tube rest comfortably on the ear, close to
your head.
The illustrations show an open ear-tip. For further infor-
mation on ear-tip/earmold types, anchors and proce-
dures, see the separate ear-set user manual provided.

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Removing the hearing aid
Remove the hearing aid from its position behind the
ear.
Carefully pull the earpiece out of the ear canal, while
holding the lower part of the tube. If the earpiece is
provided with an extraction cord, take hold of this and
carefully pull the ear-tip out of the ear canal.

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Volume adjustment
The hearing aid volume is adjusted automatically in ac-
cordance with your sound environment.
Your hearing aid may furthermore
be provided with a volume control,
shaped like a small lever.
Push the lever upward to gradually
raise the volume.
Push the lever downwards to gradually lower the vol-
ume.
Each time you operate the volume control, you will hear
a beep-tone unless this function has been disabled.
When the maximum or minimum adjustment level is
reached, a steady tone will sound.
CAUTION
If the volume in the hearing aid is generally too loud or too weak,
or the reproduced sounds are distorted, or if you would like any
further information, consult your hearing care professional.

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To turn off the sound completely
• Keep pressing the volume control lever downwards
after the steady tone has sounded
To turn the sound on again
• Press the lever upwards or
• Change listening program
Any adjustment of the volume setting will be can-
celed when your hearing aid is turned off, or when you
change program.
If you wish to have the volume control disabled, please
consult your hearing care professional.

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Listening programs
By default, your hearing aid contains a Master program,
with the option of an extra program. A number of sup-
plementary programs can also be made available. If this
solution is chosen, you can have up to five programs.
Master All the automatic functions work to ensure
comfort in all listening situations
Music For listening to music
TV For listening to the TV
TIn this program you listen via the telecoil (T)
and not via the hearing aid microphones (M).
The telecoil is used where a loop system is
installed. If you activate the telecoil program,
you listen to a specific sound source and
shut out surrounding sounds.
M+T In this program you listen via the hearing aid
microphones (M) and the telecoil (T).
Standard All the automatic functions work to ensure
audibility and speech understanding in all
listening situations
Acclimatization This program has the same features as the
Master program but provides slightly less
amplification
Audibility
Extender*
Makes high-frequency sounds audible
Zen* Generates different kinds of tones.
* Available separately

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If your needs change over time, the combination of lis-
tening programs can be altered.
Zen program
Your hearing aid may be provided with a unique option-
al listening program called Zen. It makes musical tones
(and sometimes a rushing noise) in the background.
These sounds are shaped according to your hearing
loss. The Zen program may be used alone (without am-
plification) in quiet when you are not required to hear
surrounding sounds. Or, it may be used with the Master
program so both the surrounding sounds and the gen-
erated sounds (fractal tones and noise) are heard to-
gether.
CAUTION
Use of the different Zen programs may interfere with hearing
surrounding sounds including speech. The programs should not
be used when hearing such sounds is important. Switch the
hearing aid to a non-Zen program in those situations.
CAUTION
If you perceive decrease in loudness, tolerance of sounds,
speech not as clear, or worsening tinnitus, contact your hearing
care professional.

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Benefits
The Zen program may provide a relaxing listening
background for some people. When the Zen program
is used in a tinnitus management program, its wearer
may experience some relief from tinnitus.
Indications for use
The Zen program is intended to provide a relaxing
sound background (i.e., music/noise source) for adults
who desire to listen to such a background in quiet. It
may be used as a sound therapy tool in a tinnitus treat-
ment program that is prescribed by a hearing care pro-
fessional (audiologists, hearing aid specialists, otolar-
yngologists) who is trained in tinnitus management.
Directions for use
Because of the unique ways in which Zen is pro-
grammed in your hearing aid, please follow the rec-
ommendations of your hearing care professionals as to
how to use the program, when to use the program and/
or how long to use the program.

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Precautions
To ensure the safety and effectiveness of the Zen pro-
gram when used as a sound therapy tool for tinnitus,
the tinnitus management program must be designed
and conducted by hearing care professionals who are
trained in tinnitus management. A tinnitus manage-
ment program should include a complete audiological
evaluation, tinnitus diagnosis, counseling, use of proper
amplification and/or sound therapy tools.
Prior to any tinnitus management program, it is advis-
able that you seek medical attention to exhaust any
medical or surgical treatment options.
Use your hearing aid and the Zen program according
to the directions and schedule recommended by your
hearing care professionals.
Warnings
Use of the Zen program may interfere with hearing ev-
eryday sounds including speech. It should not be used
when hearing such sounds is important. Switch the
hearing aid to a non-Zen program in those situations.