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USER INSTRUCTIONS THE MENU™ SERIES ME-9 model Behind-the-ear...
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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 ...
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.
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.
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“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.
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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.
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 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.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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.
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...
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Risks There are no known risks or side effects associated with the use of the Zen program. However, consistent with our recommendations on the use of conventional hear- ing aids, stop using the hearing aids (and the Zen pro- gram) and seek attention from your hearing care pro- fessional if any of the following symptoms are noted: •...
Switching between the listening programs To change programs, press the pro- gram button briefly. Each time you switch to another program, an acous- tic indicator will sound unless this function has been disabled. Program 1: One short beep or message Program 2: Two short beeps or message Program 3: Three short beeps or message Program 4: One long and one short beep or message...
Using a telephone When using a telephone, we rec- ommend that you hold the tele- phone against your head at an angle above your ear, rather than directly against the ear. If the sound is not optimal, try mov- ing the telephone earpiece to a slightly different position.
CLEANING The following cleaning accessories are available for the hearing aid and ear-set*. For cleaning the ear-set, see the user manual “Ear-sets for Widex BTE hearing aids”. 1. Cloth 2. Wax removing tool 3. Cleaning thread Contact your hearing care professional if you need ad- ditional supplies of cleaning accessories.
The hearing aid Clean the hearing aid with the soft cloth after use. WARNING Never use water or cleaning solutions to clean the hearing aid, as this may cause it to malfunction. When the hearing aid is not in use, the battery drawer should be left open, to ventilate the hearing aid and allow it to dry.
ACCESSORIES Remote control A remote control gives you a num- ber of additional options. T-DEX A device for connecting hearing aids to mobile phones using a telecoil. Audio input The hearing aid can be furnished with an audio shoe. This allows direct connection to different kinds of ac- cessories (FM and CROS/Bi-CROS systems), as well as external audio equipment (radio, TV, etc.).
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Program Program order with audio shoe WARNING If the hearing aid is connected to equipment which is connected to the electrical mains, this equipment must meet the safety requirements stated in the international standard IEC 60065. Do not connect the hearing aid to sockets that are labelled with one or more of the following symbols:...
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FM systems The Widex FM system, SCOLA, consists of a wireless microphone and a receiver clicked onto the hearing aid via an FM shoe. The system can be set according to your needs. For more information on the SCOLA FM system, consult the SCOLA user manual.
Note: This information covers only the hearing aid. See the “Ear-sets for Widex BTE hearing aids” user manual for information specific to your ear-set. If the problems persist, contact your hearing care pro- fessional for assistance.
CARING FOR YOUR HEARING AID The hearing aid is a valuable object and should be treat- ed with care. Here are some things you can do to pro- long the life of your hearing aid: CAUTION • Turn off your hearing aid when it is not in use. Remove the battery if the hearing aid will not be used for several days.
WARNINGS WARNING Hearing aids and batteries can be dangerous if swal lowed or used improperly. Swallowing or improper use can result in severe injury or even fatalities. In case of ingestion, contact a physician immediately and the 24 Hour National Button Bat- tery Ingestion Hotline at (202) 625-3333.
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WARNING • Risk of explosion if battery is replaced by an incorrect type or recharged. Dispose of used batteries according to the in- structions. • Never allow others to wear your hearing aid, as this could cause permanent damage to their hear ing. •...
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Do not under any circumstances use alcohol, chlorine or similar substances. • Do not use Widex hearing aids in mines or other areas with explosive gases. • Do not wear your hearing aid during radiation, X-rays, MRIs, CT or other medical treatments and scans.
ADVICE NOTE • The hearing aid will not restore normal hearing and will not prevent or improve a hearing loss resulting from organic conditions. However, the hearing aid can help you to make the best possible use of your remaining hearing ability. You should also bear in mind that it can take time to get used to a new hearing aid and new sounds.
REGULATORY INFORMATION Contraindications: • Congenital or traumatic deformity of the ear • Active drainage from the ear within 90 days • History of rapid progressive hearing loss within previous 90 days • Acute or chronic dizziness • Sudden unilateral hearing loss in previous 90 days Important notice for prospective hearing aid users Good health practice requires that a person with a hearing loss have a medical evaluation by a licensed physician (preferably a...
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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 state- ment declining the medical evaluation for religious or personal beliefs that preclude consultation with a physician.
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Hearing aids, accessories and batter- ies should not be disposed of with nor- mal household waste. Please consult your national Widex distributor for advice on how to dispose of these items.
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