JUST THE BASICS
1.
Insert the battery.
2.
Attach
the ear
tip and
tubing.
3.
Fit the BTE behind your
ear and ear tip (or custom
earmold) in your ear.
4.
Adjust the volume.
It’s normal for hearing aids to whistle
when adjusted. See page 17 for tips to stop
whistle (feedback).
HB-37 • HB-53 • HB-79
Your complete B
TE guide.
Look inside for
complete instructions.
Better hearing –
Ready ...Set ...Go!
You made a grea
t choice!
Congratulations on your choice of a
behind-the-ear hearing aid. They are
smaller today than ever before and all have
a great, clear sound. You’ll enjoy all the
benefits of a BTE (behind-the-ear) hearing
aid, especially knowing how little you paid.
So, put your BTE to the test and find out if it’s right for you.
We only ask that you read these instructions so you can make
the most of your behind-the-ear hearing aid. And do take
advantage of your 45 day home trial.
Sincerely,
Jim & Catherine
➤ Very durable
➤ Comfortable fit
with soft ear tips
or custom earmold
➤ Increased power
➤ Additional sound
output controls
2
3
4
5
6-7
8
9
10
11
12
12
13
14-15
16
17
18-19
20
21
22
23
24
Table of con
ten
ts
105 N 1st Street • PO Box 586 • DeKalb, IL 60115
Questions, call toll-free: 1-800-221-2099
3
Introduction
Table of contents
Parts identified
How to insert battery
How to attach ear tip
Choosing which ear hook/ear tip
How to tell right from left
Insert and remove BTE
Helpful tips
Adjusting the volume
Slide controls
Talking on the telephone
Care and Cleaning
Custom earmold
Troubleshooting/service
Additional information
HB-37 specifications
HB-53 specifications
HB-79 specifications
Hearing aid batteries
Warranty
B
TE parts iden
tified
4
Serial number is located on the back of the hearing aid or inside the battery door.
1
2
3
4
5
6
HB-37
1
2
3
4
5
6
HB-53P
1
2
3
4
located on back5
6
HB-79
1 - Earhook (sound outlet)
2 - Microphone (sound inlet)
3 - Volume Control
4 - Additional Controls (may be hidden
under a door)
5 - On/Off Control
6 - Battery Door
How to turn the BTE
on and off:
You move the switch from
“O” (off) to “M” (microphone on)
to turn the BTE on and off.
Controls described on p. 12.
How to insert ba
ttery
5
1.
Remove the colored tab from
the flat, positive side (+) of the
battery. Batteries need a few
minutes to activate.
2.
Open battery compartment
gently, with a finger nail.
3.
Place the battery in the battery
door - NOT directly inside the
hearing aid. When correctly
installed the “+” sign on the
battery and the battery door
will both be visible.
1
2
3
How to insert battery in your BTE
The door should close easily. If not,
the battery is probably upside down.
Mark of positive side +
How to a
ttach ear tip
Your BTE hearing aid comes complete with one soft,
silicone ear tip (size #2 for women and size #3 for men).
If you would like to improve the fit, you can select from
five different size ear tips.
(Ordering information on p. 8.)
How to attach ear tip and tubing:
Attach ear tip
1. Push the soft, silicone ear tip
onto the elbow joint tubing until
held securely in place.
Put tip and BTE in place
2. Place the ear tip in your ear and
the hearing aid over your ear.
1
2
How to a
ttach ear tip
Cut off extra tubing
3. Observe where the tubing
overlaps the earhook and mark the
tubing leaving an 1/8 to 1/4 inch
overlap. Cut off any extra tubing.
Attach tubing to earhook
4. Insert the tip of the earhook into
the tubing. If it is hard to insert,
warm the tip of the flexible tubing
with hot water.
Attention: Please make sure ear tips are securely attached to the
tubing and to your BTE hearing aid before using so they do not
come off in your ear.
3
4
7
Order replacement BTE Elbow Joint
Small elbow joint and tubing attaches to BTE
ear tip and BTE hearing aid.
#88571
$2.00
Elbow joint shown with ear tip.
Ear tip sold separately.
8
Earhooks:
The earhook should fit as
shown. If not, call to order
a different size earhook.
You can also try adjusting
the length of the tubing to
get a proper fit.
Ear tips:
Ear tips come in five different sizes.
Each BTE is sent to you with one
soft silicone ear tip (size #2 for
women and size #3 for men).
You can improve the fit by using
a different size ear tip. Ear tips
can be cleaned or replaced when
necessary.
BTE Ear Hooks
–
Three sizes of ear hooks for the best fit for you.
Small #88112 , Medium #88113, Large #88114 $7.95 each
SAVE: 3 of any size for only $5.95
small (#1)
#88581
$2.50
medium-small (#2)
#88582
$2.50
medium (#3)
#88583
$2.50
medium-large (#4)
#88584
$2.50
large (#5)
#88585
$2.50
small med-small medium med-large large
Cus
tomize y
our fit
Which is righ
t and left?
9
How to tell your right aid from your left aid:
End Itchy Ears –
Now there is a safe, all-natural solution to help
ears stay healthy. MiraCell helps relieve itchy, irritated ears. It also
has mild antibacterial, antifungal and anti-yeast properties. Try it today
for happy ears. 1/2 oz bottle. Item #88851 Call to order.
Behind-the-ear
hearing aids can be
used on either ear.
Once you have
attached your ear
tip or custom
ear-mold your hearing
aid is set for either
your right or left ear. You can identify which ear
by the direction the ear tip is facing. The ear tip
will “point” to the right for the left ear and “point”
to the left for the right ear.
Insert & remove B
T
E
10
Inserting and removing:
1. Hold the tubing behind the
ear tip and insert into your ear.
If using a custom earmold, make
sure it is correctly positioned in
your ear. The top and bottom of
the earmold should fit securely.
2. Place the BTE behind your ear
by slipping it over the top of
your ear.
Some people prefer to first place the BTE over their ear and
then insert the ear tip. Experiment and find what works best
for you.
Helpful tips
11
1. Start Slowly –
Begin by using your new hearing
aid a few hours a day while you are alone. If you
are not used to wearing a hearing aid, you will
probably notice many sounds you have not heard in
a while. Crackling paper, may be surprisingly loud.
Other sounds like the refrigerator or air conditioner
may feel uncomfortable. With time you should be
able to focus on the sounds you want to hear.
Hearing aids will not restore your old hearing, but
with time and practice, they can help.
2. Read Out Loud –
Your own voice will sound different to you. Try reading out
loud for 15 minutes a day to get used to the sound of your own voice.
3. Practice Listening to One Voice –
Start in a quiet environment listening to the
radio or your favorite TV show. Then practice listening with one friend or family
member at a time.
4. Listen and Talk in Small Groups –
Next try talking with a small group of
friends or family members in a quiet setting. Crowded places such as restaurants
or churches are likely to have more background noise that can interfere with your
understanding. Remember, it is difficult for most people to understand in these
situations. So, be patient and keep practicing. Your understanding should
improve with time.
Adjus
ting the volume and slide con
trols
How to adjust the volume:
You adjust the volume up and down by
rotating the volume control wheel. The higher
the number, the more the amplification.
Note: Feedback (a whistling sound that hearing
aids can make) can be caused by a hearing aid
being set too loud. If you experience feedback,
reduce the volume slightly. The feedback should
then stop.
Setting descriptions:
O:
Power off. Use when your BTE hearing aid is
not in use.
T:
Telephone coil (if available). Use when talking on
the telephone or with a loop system. Your BTE will
then only pick up electromagnetic signals produced
by telephones and loop systems.
M:
Microphone working, power on. Use for everyday listening.
S:
Power on and noise suppressor activated.
Talking on the telephone
13
Talking on the telephone:
You can use your hearing aid while talking
on the telephone. Simply hold the phone
over your Behind-the-Ear hearing aid
(up and behind your ear). It may also be
necessary to hold the telephone at a slight
angle to avoid feedback. It’s not hard
with a little practice.
If your hearing aid is equipped with a telecoil, talking on the
telephone is easy. Move the slide control to the “T” setting
and hold the telephone receiver near the hearing aid a little
above your ear. You will only hear the sounds from the
telephone. Note: “T” setting will not work with most cell phones.
Portable Snap-On Telephone Amplifier –
Ideal for extra
volume when traveling (or even at home)! The amplifier attaches
with the elastic band to most phones and is hearing aid compatible.
Care and cleaning
14
Always clean your BTE hearing aid regularly. Without
regular cleaning, wax and moisture can build up and prevent
the hearing aid from working properly. It’s best to clean your
BTE in the morning before you use it.
How to clean your hearing aid:
1. Wipe off the outside of the BTE hearing aid and
the ear tip with a soft cloth. Ear tips can be
replaced when necessary.
2. If wax or debris remains,
use a small soft cleaning
brush to gently remove it.
Protect your BTE
Moisture can quickly damage your hearing aid. Remove harmful
moisture with the Super Dri-Aid Kit. Easy to use. Store your BTE
in the Dri-Aid Kit overnight. Pellets can be recharged and used
indefinitely. Super Dri-Aid™ Kit, item #88740 Call to order.
Cleaning Brush
Care and cleaning
15
The Do’s and the Don’ts:
Open the battery door when not wearing your BTE hearing
aid. Any moisture inside your hearing aid can then evaporate,
extending the life of your BTE. With the battery door open,
you can be assured your hearing aid is off and not squealing.
A squealing aid can attract pets which have been known to
chew on hearing aids and damage them beyond repair.
Avoid extreme heat and cold when storing your hearing aid.
Never place your hearing aid in water. If your BTE aid
becomes wet, immediately remove the battery and let it stand
in a dry place for several hours. Never use heat (blowdryer,
oven, etc.) to dry your hearing aid.
Before applying hair spray, perfume or cologne, be sure to
remove your BTE hearing
aids. Such sprays can
damage hearing aids.
Cus
tom earmold
16
Making an Impression
Soft & Hard Earmolds
Wearing an Earmold
Improve your BTE with a custom earmold
➤
Reduce feedback (whistling)
➤
Reduce stuffed up feeling
➤
Reduce talking-in-barrel sound
Making your earmold is easy.
Step one:
We’ll send you a kit with materials and complete
instructions so you or a friend can make your ear impression.
(If you have had ear surgery or ear damage or if you have an
unusual ear canal, have your doctor assist you.)
Step two:
Making an impression is easy. Already, over 100,000
people have made their own impression at home. Impression
material sets up in minutes and easily can be removed from your
ear. Of course, if you have any questions we’re always happy to help.
Step 3:
Mail your ear impression to us and we use it to make your
custom earmold. You can expect to receive a finished earmold in
about two weeks.
There’s a refundable $19 charge for the impression kit that will be
credited in full when you return your impressions. Plus, you’ll get a
$5.00 coupon with your earmold to be applied to any future order.
Hard Lucite
Soft
1 earmold
#88421
$79.99
$89.99
Troubleshooting & Service
17
If your hearing aid is:
WHISTLING (FEEDBACK)
If your hearing aid is: WEAK, DISTORTED, DEAD
SERVICE – If your hearing aid requires service, send it to:
Hearing Help Express • 105 N First St • PO Box 586 • DeKalb, IL 60115-0586
1. Turn the volume down, it may be set
too high. (p.12)
2. Check that your ear tip is inserted
correctly. (p. 10)
3. Try a different size ear tip (p. 8) or if
you have a custom earmold, select a
vent plug with a smaller opening.
4. Verify that the tubing is attached (p.6-7)
correctly and that it is soft and in good
condition. If the tubing has hardened
or is damaged, it should be replaced.
5. Your BTE will whistle when a hand, hat
or other object is near it, bouncing
amplified sound back into the BTE.
1. Verify your BTE hearing aid is turned
on and set to “M”. (p. 12)
2. Check that the battery is inserted
correctly. (p. 5)
3. Try a fresh battery.
4. Clean your BTE hearing aid and ear
tip thoroughly. (p. 14-15)
5. If your Behind-the-Ear hearing aid goes
dead periodically, but comes on after
several hours of rest, the problem may
be a build-up of humidity. Try storing it
in a “dry-aid kit” when not in use. Call
toll-free to order. (p. 14)
1. Enclose a note with your name, address,
phone number and a description of what
is wrong with your hearing aid.
2. If your hearing aid is out of warranty, also
include payment.
(Call to verify price.)3. Pack your hearing aid securely in a sturdy
box. (Do not mail hearing aids in an
envelope, they could be destroyed
during shipping!)
We recommend
insured mail or UPS for your protection.
Precautions: A hearing aid is a precision
electronic device and as such, it requires the care in use and handling that you would afford any fine piece of equipment. The following precautions are not meant to discourage normal use of your hearing aid, but are suggested to insure quality performance and long life from your hearing aid.
Do not drop or throw your hearing aid, as this may damage internal components. Do not expose your hearing aid or batter-ies to excessive heat, such as from stove tops, hair dryers, heat lamps or your auto-mobile rear shelf or glove compartment. Do not immerse your hearing aid in water or other liquids, or wear it while bathing, showering or swimming. If your hearing aid is to be stored for any length of time, be sure to remove the battery and store both in a cool, dry place.Your hearing aid has been constructed from the finest materials, using the latest engineering technology; however, in rare instances, an individual may exhibit signs of skin irrita-tion, allergic reacirrita-tion, or accelerated accu-mulation of cerumen (earwax). If this
occurs, consult your physician.
Keep new and used batteries out of reach of children and those with diminished mental capacity. Batteries, if consumed, can be harm-ful. Consult your physician immedi-ately and call the National Battery Hotline collect (202) 625-3333.
Federal law permits an adult to pur-chase hearing aids by mail. You may either send a prescription or sign a medical waiver.
Important Notice for Prospective Hearing Aid Users: Good health
prac-tice requires that a person with a hearing loss have a medical evaluation by a licensed physician (preferably a physician who specializes in diseases of the ear) before purchasing a hearing aid. Licensed physicians who specialize in diseases of the ear are often referred to as otolaryn-gologists, otolotists or otorhinolaryngolo-gists. The purpose of a medical evaluation is to assure that all medically treatable conditions that may affect hearing are
identified and treated before the hearing aid is purchased.
Following the medical evaluation, the physician will give you a written state-ment that your hearing loss has been medically evaluated and that you may be considered a candidate for a hearing aid. The physician will refer you to an audiolo-gist or a hearing aid dispenser, as appro-priate, for a hearing aid evaluation.The audiologist or hearing aid dispenser will conduct a hearing aid evaluation to assess your ability to hear with and without a hearing aid.The hearing aid evaluation will enable the audiologist or dispenser to select and fit a hearing aid to your indi-vidual needs.
If you have reservations about your ability to adapt to amplification, you should inquire about the availability of a trial, rental or purchase option program. Many hearing aid dispensers now offer pro-grams that permit you to wear a hearing aid for a period of time for a nominal fee, after which you may decide if you want to purchase the hearing aid.
Federal law restricts the sale of hearing aids to those individuals who have obtained a medical evaluation from a licensed physician. Federal law permits a fully informed adult to sign a waiver statement declining the medical evalua-tion for religious or personal beliefs that preclude consultation with a physician. The exercise of such a waiver is not in your best health interest and its use is strongly discouraged.
Children with Hearing Loss: In
addi-tion to seeing a physician for a medical evaluation, a child with a hearing loss should be directed to an audiologist for evaluation and rehabilitation since hear-ing loss may cause problems in language development and the educational and social growth of a child. An audiologist is qualified by training and experience to assist in the evaluation and rehabilitation of a child with a hearing loss.
Warning to Hearing Aid Dispensers:
A hearing aid dispenser should advise a prospective hearing aid user to consult promptly with a licensed physician
(preferably an ear specialist) before dis-pensing a hearing aid if the hearing aid dispenser determines through inquiry, actual observation, or review of any other available information concerning the prospective user, that the prospective user has any of the following conditions:
Warning Signs:
1. Visible congenital or traumatic deformity of the ear.
2. History of active drainage from the ear within the previous 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. Audiometric air-bone gap equal to or greater than 15 decibels at 500 Hz, 1,000 Hz and 2,000 Hz. 7. Visible evidence of significant
cerumen accumulation or a foreign body in the ear canal.
8. Pain or discomfort in the ear.
NOTE: Special care should be exercised in selecting and fitting a hearing aid whose maximum sound pressure level exceeds 132 decibels because there may be a risk of impairing the remaining hearing of the hearing aid user.
Hearing with Your New Amplification
The world will seem noisier at first, but in time, you should become accustomed to your new listening experiences, learn to hear speech more clearly, and enjoy many of the special sounds you may have been missing. Obtaining maximum benefit from your new hearing aid(s) requires effort and practice on your part. Your new hearing aid(s) will not restore normal hearing and will not prevent or improve hearing impairment resulting from organ-ic conditions. In most cases, infrequent use of the hearing aid(s) will not permit you to obtain full benefit from it. Follow the program recommended by your hear-ing professional. The use of your hearhear-ing instrument(s) is only part of your hearing rehabilitation, and you may need supple-mental auditory training and instructions in lipreading.
