Hearing Instrument User Manual Since 1979 QUALIT Y CONVENIENCE VALUE
Table of Contents Tubing Replacement and Custom Ear Tip 1 2 3 Battery Insertion 5 Inserting Hearing Aids 6 On/Off and Volume Adjustment 7 Wax Protection 8 Freedom AD Model FreedomAD SIE Memory Selection 10 Adaptive Directional Microphone 11 Wax and Moisture 12 Storing Hearing Aids and Use of Drying Kit 13 Special Precautions 14 Common Problems and Solutions 15 What To Expect 16 Additional Information 17 Virtual Office Software Get Connected 19 20 21 24 Contact America Hears 2
Freedom AD Model Thank you for choosing America Hears FreedomAD hearing aids! FreedomAD hearing aids are available exclusively from America Hears and offer you the latest in digital hearing aid technology and unparalleled convenience. With America Hears FreedomAD hearing aids you will enjoy the world's first wide dynamic range optimizer. Featuring ADRO® technology our instruments, with the power of DSP, carry out sophisticated analysis and implement fuzzy logic rules to continuously optimize output.
FreedomAD SIE The FreedomAD SIE (speaker-in-the-ear) is an open fit style instrument that sits behind the ear. This ultra small, light-weight, comfortable design is practically invisible with minimal occlusion and features industry leading ADRO processing. Utilizes a size 10 battery. The SIE can be configured for high frequency or wide range hearing losses.
Tubing Replacement and Custom Ear Tip Note: It is important NOT to pull the tubing itself,as it can become stretched and distorted. It is also important not to twist the plug when attaching or removing from the hearing instrument. Tube Removal • Grasp the connector firmly. • Insert finger nails into the finger nail grooves. • Pull straight out. DO NOT TWIST. Tube Attachment • To attach, align the tube plug (tubing facing down) with the opening.
• An ear tip can be attached by inserting the sound tip completely into the ear tip as shown. • To remove, simply slide the sound tip out from the ear tip. Custom Ear Tip Attachment and Removal • A custom ear tip can be attached by inserting the sound tip completely into the custom ear tip. • To remove, simply slide the sound tip out from the custom ear tip.
Battery Insertion Your hearing aids are designed to use size 10 batteries. A zinc-air type battery is recommended, but any type or brand may be used. • To insert, remove the adhesive label and wait sixty seconds for air to activate the battery. Any moisture on the battery surface should be wiped off prior to insertion. Insert the battery into the battery door. It may take several minutes for the battery to work to its full effect.
Inserting Hearing Aids Inserting your hearing instruments for the first time can be challenging. Until your hearing aid is fully inserted there can be feedback (whistle). We suggest that you practice without the battery until you have perfected this procedure. With practice, inserting your hearing aids will become as easy as putting on your glasses. To insert your FreedomAD SIE hearing instrument: • Grasp the hearing aid between your thumb and forefinger. • Place it over your ear as shown.
On/Off and Volume Adjustment On and Off: Your FreedomAD SIE is turned on and off by opening and closing the battery compartment. Note: Whenever you turn your hearing aid on it is automatically set to Memory One. Hearing Instrument Off Hearing Instrument On Hint: Opening the battery door every time you remove your instruments you will prolong the life of your hearing aid batteries.
Wax Protection Wax Protection systems are used to accumulate wax and debris before it reaches your hearing aid components. This makes wax accumulation easier to clean and can prevent damage to your internal components of your hearing instruments. America Hears hearing instruments feature our WaxStop system: WaxStop & WaxStop Tool Tip of WaxStop tool Positive tip Sound tip of hearing aid with WaxStop inserted Negative tip The WaxStop tool has a positive and a negative tip.
To remove: • Place the positive tip of the WaxStop tool into the WaxStop in your hearing aid. • Remove the WaxStop tool, pulling the WaxStop out of the sound tip. WaxStops can be cleaned by soaking them in hot water with a mild detergent for 10 minutes. After drying thoroughly they can be reused.
Memory Selection • To use the memory selector wand touch it high up on your ear where the hearing aid sits as shown. • To change to the next memory move the wand away from your ear and then return it back to the top of your ear. Warning: Please do not place the Memory Selector Wand on or near computer equipment, software, discs or credit cards. Information could be lost/destroyed as a result.
Adaptive Directional Microphone America Hears' Adaptive Directional Microphone (ADM) Module is a superior directional microphone system. With sophisticated monitoring of multiple microphones, the module is able to adapt in and out of an omni directional mode, all the while optimising the polar pattern for the listener. Extremely power efficient, the ADM has a flat frequency response, meaning that the same fitting can be as for an omni directional fitting.
Wax and Moisture Ears normally produce wax and moisture which can damage your instrument. Proper cleaning and storage of your instruments will help prolong periods between professional cleaning and repairs but eventually your instruments will need to be professionally serviced to compensate for wax and moisture contamination. Some individuals are prone to wax and moisture problems and need to have their instrument serviced on a regular basis.
Storing Hearing Aids and Use of Drying Kit A special drying kit is included with your hearing instruments. The jar contains beads that are specially designed to remove moisture from your hearing instruments. We recommend that you store your hearing instruments in the drying kit overnight while you are sleeping. Doing so can help extend the life of your hearing instruments.
Special Precautions Your instruments are delicate, precision electronic devices and as such, require the special care and handling that would be afforded to any fine piece of equipment. Please read and follow the listed precautions to insure quality performance and long instrument life: • Remove your batteries when your hearing instruments will not be in use for prolonged periods of time. • Store your instruments in the drying kit provided when not in use. • Do not throw or drop your instruments.
Common Problems and Solutions If you experience any problems with your instruments that you are unable to resolve, contact America Hears for assistance. Please do not attempt to make repairs yourself. Doing so could cause additional damage and will void any warranties still in effect. All repairs must be handled through America Hears.
What To Expect Congratulations on the purchase of America Hears hearing instruments. You've taken the first step toward improving your hearing, and improving your lifestyle. Please know that we are only an email or toll-free phone call away to answer any questions you may have. Common Hearing Loss Hearing aids are particularly useful for improving the hearing and speech comprehension of those with sensorineural hearing loss.
Additional Information If you have difficulty hearing, you are not alone. Millions of people in this country share your problem. Many people who experience hearing problems can be treated medically, surgically, or most commonly, through amplification. Your hearing is vital for your physical and psychological well being. Without it, everyday communication may become a frustrating and sometimes exhausting task.
Before you are fit with your hearing instruments, your hearing care professional should advise you to promptly seek medical attention if you are experiencing any of the following: 1. Visible congenital or traumatic deformity of the ear. 2. History of active drainage from the ear within the last 90 days. 3. History of sudden or rapidly progressive hearing loss within the previous 90 days. 4. Acute or chronic dizziness. 5. Unilateral hearing loss of sudden or recent onset within the previous 90 days. 6.
Virtual Office Software If you have purchased the optional programming kit you will receive a programming kit that enables you to adjust your own instruments or make remote adjustments via the internet. If you have not, you may do so by contacting our Customer Service Group. Welcome to the America Hears Virtual Office The purpose of The America Hears Virtual Office is to give you the ability to have greater control, and freedom, over your hearing – specifically adjusting your new digital hearing aids.
Uninstall Outdated Software If you have previously installed a version of America Hears software you must first uninstall before installing a new version. • To uninstall click the Start button on your desktop. • Highlight to select Programs. • Highlight to select America Hears Virtual Office or America Hears for previous versions • Highlight to select Uninstall. A message box will pop up asking you if you are sure you want to uninstall the software. • Click the Yes button.
Install New Software It is important that you do not connect the America Hears programmer to your computer until after you have installed the software. • Place the America Hears Virtual Office installation CD into your CD drive and follow the on screen instructions. This process may take a few minutes to complete. Follow the on screen directions as follows: • Click the Next button. • Click the Next button.
• Click the Next button. • Click the Finish button. • Click the Install button. Note: This process could take a few minutes to complete. • Click the OK button to complete the installation process.
• Plug the USB cord into your computer. • Plug the programmer into the USB port of your computer. A windows message will pop up in the lower right corner of your screen. The drivers are automatically installed for you. When the messages disappear, the process is complete. The green power light on the programmer will be on, confirming that the installation process is successful. • Launch America Hears Virtual Office by double clicking on the Virtual Office icon on your desktop.
Get Connected If you have purchased the optional programming kit you will receive a programming kit that enables you to adjust your own instruments or make remote adjustments via the internet. If you have not, you may do so by contacting our Customer Service Group. Note: Before launching America Hears software you have to connect your hearing instruments to your programmer and the programmer to your computer.
Contact America Hears To contact America Hears: Call: 1-800-492-4515 E-mail: contact@americahears.
