AUDIO SERVICE Hearing Instruments Owner’s Manual

Safety manual for hearing instruments

Safety information

This safety manual provides safety information and other important information about your hearing instruments. It covers several instrument types and optional features.
▶ Refer to the user guide of your hearing instruments, to check the instrument type and the activated features.
Intended use
Hearing instruments are intended to improve the hearing of hearing impaired persons. Diagnosis and prescription of a hearing instrument must be performed by hearing health specialists, e.g. acousticians, audiologists or ENT doctors.
Use the hearing instruments and accessories only as described in the respective user guides.

Explanation of symbols

Symbols used in this document

| Points out a situation that could lead to serious, moderate, or minor injuries.
| Indicates possible property damage.
| Information and warnings for children with hearing instruments.
| CE compliance label, confirms compliance with certain European Directives, refer to section “Conformance information”.
| EMC and radio communications compliance label Australia, refer to section “Conformance information”.
| Optional symbol for custom models with wireless functionality.
| Indicates the legal manufacturer of the device.
| Do not dispose of the device with general domestic waste. Read more in section “Disposal information”.
| Packaging can be recycled.
| Read and follow the instructions in the user guide.
| According to IEC 60601-1, the applied parts of this device are classified as type B.
| Keep dry during transportation.
| Temperature during transportation. Read more in section “Operating, transport and storage conditions”.
| Relative humidity during transportation. Read more in section “Operating, transport and storage conditions”.
| Atmospheric pressure during transportation. Read more in section “Operating, transport and storage conditions”.
| Medical device
| Compatible with Qi-certified wireless chargers.
| Bluetooth® low energy technology.

General warnings
WARNING
Risk of impairing the residual hearing of the user.
▶ Use only hearing instruments that have been fitted especially for your needs.
WARNING
Risk of injury!
▶ Do not use obviously damaged devices and return them to point of sale.
WARNING
Note that any unauthorized changes to the product may cause damage to the product or cause injury.
▶ Use only approved parts and accessories. Ask your Hearing Care Professional for support.
WARNING
Your hearing instruments may reduce certain background sounds, potentially also traffic or warning signals.
WARNING
Risk of explosion!
▶ Do not use your hearing instruments in explosive atmospheres (e. g. mining areas).
WARNING
Choking hazard!
Your hearing instruments contain small parts which can be swallowed.
▶ Keep hearing instruments, batteries and accessories out of reach of children and mentally disabled persons.
▶ If parts have been swallowed consult a physician or hospital immediately.
If you have hearing instruments that are intended for the fitting of children under the age of 3 years or persons with a developmental age of under 3 years, refer also to section “For children under the age of 3 years”.

NOTICE
▶ Protect your hearing instruments from high humidity. Do not wear them in the shower or when you apply make-up, perfume, aftershave, hairspray or suntan lotion.
NOTICE
▶ Protect your hearing instruments from extreme heat. Do not store them in direct sunlight.
NOTICE
▶ Do not dry your hearing instruments in the microwave oven.
NOTICE
Different types of strong radiation, e. g. during X-ray or MRI head examinations, may damage hearing instruments.
▶ Do not wear the hearing instruments during these or similar procedures.
Weaker radiation, e. g. from radio equipment or airport security, does not damage the hearing instruments.
NOTICE
Your devices comply with international standards.
However, it cannot be guaranteed that all products on the market work interference-free, for example some induction cookers may cause audible interference.
NOTICE
In case of a serious incident, report the occurrence to the manufacturer of the device.
NOTICE
When not in use, please store your hearing instruments in the supplied jewel case or charging case (if applicable) and keep out of the reach of children.

Contraindications
WARNING
In case of a known contact allergy, consult the hearing instrument manufacturer regarding the presence of the allergen before using the hearing instrument. If an allergic reaction develops after wearing the hearing instrument, immediately discontinue use and consult a licensed physician.
WARNING
Consult a Hearing Care Professional if you experience any unusual side effects like skin irritation, excessive accumulation of ear wax, dizziness, change in your hearing, or if you think there may be a foreign object in your ear canal.
WARNING
A Hearing Care Professional should advise a prospective hearing instrument user to consult a licensed physician before using the hearing instrument if the Hearing Care Professional determines that the prospective user has any of the following conditions:
▶ Visible congenital or traumatic deformity of the ear.
▶ History of active drainage from the ear within the previous 90 days.
▶ History of sudden or rapidly progressive hearing loss within the previous 90 days.
▶ Acute or chronic dizziness.
▶ Unilateral hearing loss of sudden or recent onset within the previous 90 days.
▶ Audiometric air-bone gap equal to or greater than 15 dB at 500 Hz, 1,000 Hz, and 2,000 Hz.
▶ Visible evidence of significant cerumen accumulation or a foreign body in the ear canal.
▶ Pain or discomfort in the ear (e.g. recent or current ear infection).

For hearing instruments with wireless functionality
** In some countries restrictions for the usage of wireless equipment exist.
▶ Refer to local authorities for further information.
WARNING
Risk of affecting electronic equipment!
▶ In areas where the use of electronics or wireless devices are restricted, verify if your device has to be turned off.
NOTICE**
Your hearing instruments are designed to comply with international standards on electromagnetic compatibility but interference with nearby electronic devices could occur. In this case, move away from the source of interference.

For hearing instruments with a tinnitus feature
Your hearing instrument may be equipped with a tinnitus feature (e. g. with a tinnitus therapy signal, a tinnitus noiser, or another special function). The use of the tinnitus feature should be only on the advice and in consultation with your Hearing Care Professional.
WARNING
Risk of further impairment to the user’s hearing health.
The volume of the tinnitus feature can be set to a level which could lead to permanent hearing damage when used for a prolonged period of time.
▶ The tinnitus feature should never be used at uncomfortable levels.

For hearing instruments with AutoPhone magnet
WARNING
Risk of affecting life support systems!
▶ Use a magnet only when it is a safe distance away from life support systems, such as pacemakers or magnetic valves. For example, the safe distance between pacemaker and magnet should be at least 10 cm (4 inches).
NOTICE
Magnets can disturb electrical devices and delete stored data.
▶ Keep magnets away from computers, monitors, television sets, storage media and other electronic equipment/devices.
NOTICE
In close proximity, AutoPhone magnets can damage receiver units of RIC hearing instruments.
▶ Keep a minimum distance of 2 cm (0.8 inches) between the RIC receiver and any magnet, including the AutoPhone magnet.
For example, do not store your RIC hearing instruments and a smartphone with attached AutoPhone magnet together in a small pocket or box.

For hearing instruments with a magnet in the battery compartment
WARNING
Risk of interference with active and non-active implants!
There is a magnet in the battery compartment, therefore if you wear an active or a non-active implant, e.g. a brain implant:
▶ Prior to use, have the electromagnetic compatibility verified.
Consult the physician that implanted the device before using your hearing instruments.
▶ Keep a safe distance of about 4 cm (1.6 inches) between the implant and hearing instruments.

For certain instrument types
BTE models
Instruments that are worn behind the ear and that have a tube.

CAUTION
Risk of injury!
▶ Always wear the tube with an ear piece.
▶ Make sure that the ear piece is completely attached.
CAUTION
Risk of injury!
▶ Insert the hearing instrument carefully and not too deeply into the ear.
CAUTION
Risk of injury!
▶ In very rare cases the ear piece could remain in your ear when removing the hearing instrument. If this happens, have the ear piece removed by a medical professional.

RIC models
The receiver is placed within the ear canal and connected to the instrument via a receiver cable.
CAUTION
Risk of injury!
▶ Always wear the receiver cable with an ear piece.
▶ Make sure that the ear piece is completely attached.
CAUTION
Risk of injury!
▶ Insert the hearing instrument carefully and not too deeply into the ear.
CAUTION
Risk of injury!
▶ In very rare cases the ear piece could remain in your ear when removing the hearing instrument. If this happens, have the ear piece removed by a medical professional.
NOTICE
▶ Do not pull the receiver connection as this could damage your hearing instruments.

Instant fit models
The hearing instrument is placed within the ear canal and kept in place with an ear piece.
CAUTION
Risk of injury!
▶ Always wear the hearing instrument with an ear piece.
▶ Make sure that the ear piece is completely attached.
CAUTION
Risk of injury!
▶ Insert the hearing instrument carefully and not too deeply into the ear.
CAUTION
Risk of injury!
▶ In very rare cases the ear piece could remain in your ear when removing the hearing instrument. If this happens, have the ear piece removed by a medical professional.

Other models
For all other models, no model-specific safety information applies.

For children under the age of 3 years
There are special hearing instruments for the fitting of children under the age of 3 years or persons with a developmental age of under 3 years. Ask your Hearing Care Professional for further information.
WARNING
Choking hazard!
Your hearing instruments contain small parts which can be swallowed.
▶ Ensure adequate supervision if infants, small children or mentally disabled persons need to wear hearing instruments.
▶ Check the completeness of the hearing instruments regularly.
▶ Ensure that your child or the mentally disabled person does not detach the hearing instrument from the earmold.
▶ Consult your Hearing Care Professional if the housing is deformed.
▶ Keep the battery compartment locked. Verify the proper function of the locking mechanism.
▶ Keep batteries and accessories out of children’s or mentally disabled person’s reach.
▶ If swallowed consult a physician or a hospital immediately.

For certain battery types
For hearing instruments with built-in power cells (lithium-ion rechargeable batteries)
Read the safety information on power cells in the hearing instrument’s user guide.
For hearing instruments with replaceable batteries
NOTICE
Only use zinc-air batteries or nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) rechargeable batteries.
Do not use e.g. silver-zinc or lithium-ion rechargeable batteries.
NOTICE
Leaking batteries damage the hearing instruments.
▶ Turn the hearing instruments off when not in use to preserve the battery.
▶ Remove batteries when the instruments are not in use for a prolonged period of time.
The following table helps you to find the correct zinc-air battery. The suitable battery size for your hearing instruments is listed in the user guide.

When using remote control apps
When using an app for controlling hearing instruments:
WARNING
Risk of hearing damage!
The device with the app for controlling hearing instruments generates short control signals which may be audible. If the device running the app has a very high audio output there is the risk of hearing damage.
While using the app:
▶ Do not hold the loudspeaker of the device to your ears or the ears of others.
▶ Do not use the device with headphones, headsets or other audio playback devices.

For Hearing Care Professionals
WARNING
For hearing instruments with an output sound pressure level of 132 dB SPL or more:
Risk of impairing the residual hearing of the user.
▶ Take special care when fitting this instrument.

Tinnitus feature
The target population is primarily the adult population over 21 years of age. The patient may have some control of the level or volume of the signal and the patient should discuss this adjustment as well as his or her comfort level and sound of the signal with their Hearing Care Professional.
WARNING
Risk of further impairment to the user’s hearing health.
The volume of the tinnitus feature can be set to a level which could lead to permanent hearing damage when used for a prolonged period of time.
▶ Should the tinnitus feature be set to such a level in the hearing instrument, advise the user of the maximum amount of time per day he or she should use the tinnitus feature.
For example, occupational safety guidelines restrict continuous noise exposure of 80 dBA SPL to 8 hours per day.
▶ The tinnitus feature should never be used at uncomfortable levels.

Important information

Operating, transport and storage conditions
For hearing instruments with built-in power cells  (lithium-ion rechargeable batteries)
Read the operating, transport and storage conditions in the hearing instrument’s user guide.
For hearing instruments with replaceable batteries
The hearing instruments operate in the following environmental conditions (also valid in between uses):

During extended periods of transport and storage, please observe the following conditions:

| Storage| Transport
---|---|---
Temperature| 10 to 40 °C (50 to 104 °F)| -20 to 60 °C (-4 to 140 °F)
Relative humidity| 10 to 80 %| 5 to 90 %
Atmospheric pressure| 700 to 1060 hPa| 700 to 1060 hPa

For other parts, such as batteries, other conditions may apply.
Disposal information
▶ Recycle hearing instruments, accessories and packaging according to local regulations.
For hearing instruments with replaceable batteries
▶ To avoid environmental pollution, do not throw batteries into household trash.
▶ Recycle or dispose of batteries according to local regulations or return them to your Hearing Care Professional.

Conformance information
The CE mark indicates conformity with the following European directives:

• Regulation (EU) 2017/745 for products manufactured by WSAUD A/S and 93/42/EEC for products manufactured by Signia GmbH, Sivantos GmbH and AS AUDIO-SERVICE GmbH*
• 2011/65/EU RoHS concerning the restriction of hazardous substances
• Only for products with wireless functionality: 2014/53/EU RED concerning radio equipment

The full text of the declaration of conformity can be obtained from www.wsaud.com.
The ACMA compliance mark indicates conformity with the electromagnetic interference standards set by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA).
Devices with the FCC marking comply with the standards of the FCC regarding electromagnetic interference (only for products with wireless functionality).
Technical details
If the certification information for USA and Canada is not listed in the hearing instruments’ user guide, the following certification numbers apply:

• Wireless platform, model: e2e 3.0
• USA FCC ID: SGI-WL003BTE
• Canada: 267AB-WL003BTE

Notices
This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.
Changes or modifications made to this equipment not expressly approved by the legal manufacturer may void the FCC authorization to operate this equipment.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules and with ISED’s licence- exempt RSSs.
Operation is subject to the following conditions:

• this device may not cause harmful interference, and
• this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

For body worn operation, this device has been tested and meets the FCC RF exposure guidelines when used with the legal manufacturer’s accessories supplied or designated for this product. Use of other accessories may not ensure compliance with FCC RF exposure guidelines.
Data is stored inside the hearing instrument. This contains:

• the audiogram,
• the average daily wearing,
• the frequency distribution of acoustic environments (i.e., what percentage of the wearing time you were in a quiet environment, in a noisy environment, in an environment with speech, in a car and how often you listened to music),
• the different noise levels (including wind noise) within the last 24 hours,
• the average frequency of changes to user controls,
• the average frequency that algorithms in hearing instruments are actively in operation,
• an identification number.

Part of the information inside your hearing instruments is additionally stored in separate databases in anonymized form (meaning, it cannot be connected to you) in order to improve the quality of future hearing devices. This information may help your acoustician provide the optimal fitting for you. However, he/she will not read out this information without your consent. Also, when you send in your device for service, this information will not be read out without your consent.

Warranty and service
The terms of any warranty for this product are set out in the contract between you and the supplier from whom you purchased this product. This document is not intended to create any additional warranty rights directly against the manufacturer.
Where in accordance with such contract this product is received for warranty repair or replacement by the manufacturer, any repair or replacement may be with products or parts that are new, used or refurbished. Repairs or replacements shall not interrupt, extend or prolong the term of any warranty.

Country specific information
Important information: Australia and New Zealand
If battery is swallowed contact the Poisons Information Hotline on 13 11 26 for Australia and 0800 764 766 for New Zealand.
For other countries, please contact the local Poisons Information Hotline.

This document applies to hearing instruments manufactured by Sivantos GmbH and by Signia GmbH.
This document applies to hearing instruments manufactured by AS AUDIO-SERVICE GmbH.
This document applies to hearing instruments manufactured by WSAUD A/S.

Document No. 03342-99T05-7600 EN
Order/Item No. 109 509 71
Master Rev07, 10.2021
© 10.2021, WSAUD A/S. All rights reserved 0123

Documents / Resources

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