Full Text Searchable PDF User Manual
General Hearing Instruments, Inc.
175 Brookhollow
Harahan, LA 70123
www.generalhearing.com
MADE in USA
OWNER’S MANUAL
Device Information
Left serial no.
Right serial no.
Purchase date:
PLEASE READ BEFORE WEARING DEVICES...
If this is your first experience in wearing high fidelity devices, it is important
to know that you should expect to hear improved clarity of sound and ease
of understanding in every day situations. Do not expect to experience an
overwhelming sense of loudness or amplification. It’s best that you avoid the
temptation to immediately turn the volume wheel to its maximum setting.
After wearing the devices a few days, gradually increase the volume as
needed.
We recommend using you new device(s) each day and be patient!
You will soon discover you are hearing everyday sounds that you haven’t
heard for a long time.
Simplicity Hi Fidelity Warranty Policy
This “Limited Warranty” as defined in the Consumer Product Warranty
and Federal Trade Commission Improvement Act gives you specific legal
rights. You may have additional rights which vary from state to state.
Service Labor:
For a period of 1 year from the consumer’s original
purchase date, General Hearing will service your hearing device at no
charge as a result of defective parts or workmanship.
Parts:
Defective parts will be replaced at no charge with new or
equivalent parts for 1 year from the consumer’s original purchase date.
Any replacement parts are warranted for the remaining portion of the
original warranty period.
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C
ONGRATULATIONS!
You have made a significant step toward improving your life by joining
thousands of satisfied customers currently using advanced hearing devices
from General Hearing Instruments.
The Simplicity Hi Fidelity device has been specifically developed for those
who have difficulty understanding speech in the presence of background
noise. You will find speech not just louder, but clearer and easier to under-
stand.
Please review the DVD and instruction manual.
They contain valuable information that will help you achieve maximum
benefit from your new Simplicity device and properly care for it.
Be patient with your new hearing system. Learning to use the device will
require a period of adjustment. It may take a little time to become totally
familiar with the operation of the device and hearing certain sounds again.
Use of a hearing aid is only part of hearing habilitation and may need to be
supplemented by auditory training and instruction in lipreading.
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If you have viewed the Quick-Start DVD and reviewed the troubleshooting
section of this manual and you are still experiencing difficulty with your
Simplicity device, servicing of the device may be required.
All Simplicity device repairs are handled through the ReadyWearExpress
Service Center. There is a processing fee for repairs during the warranty
period. The processing fee includes inspection, cleaning, preventive main-
tenance, and return shipping and handling. Our website offers complete
information regarding repair service: www.readywearexpress.com
ReadyWear Express Service Center
PMB #144
5860 Citrus Blvd. Suite D
River Ridge, LA 70123
Call:
(504) 729-6185 (customer service)
E-mail: service@readywearexpress.com
Visit: www.readywearexpress.com
REPAIR SERVICE
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Device Reference .............................1
Battery Insertion ................................2
Device Insertion and Removal ...........3
Operation of Device ..........................4
Battery Information ...........................5
Maintenance .....................................6
Troubleshooting ................................7
Poly-Tube Removal ...........................8
Poly-Tube Cleaning ............................9
Feedback .................................... 10
Precautions .................................. 11
Important Notice .......................... 12
Important Notice cont .................. 13
Warning to Dispensers .................. 14
About Your Hearing Aid ................ 15
Performance Data ................... 16,17
Repair Service ............................. 18
Warranty Coverage ...................... 19
Averaging Frequencies
1000 Hz
1,600 Hz
2,500 Hz
OSPL 90 Curve
RESP Curve
120
110
100
90
80
70
60
50
(dB)
Freq. ................2000 Hz
Attack ..............0 mS
Release ...........833 mS
Microphone port
Volume control
Battery door
Retention cord
Poly-tube
ear hook
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1
SIMPLICITY DEVICE REFERENCE
Sound port with
dome flex tip
Red or Blue
color indicator
MAX OSPL90 : 110.6 dB
AT........................700 Hz.
HF AVG ...............101.8 dB
HF AVF F.O.G. .....23.7 dB
Reference Test Gain
Target: .................24.8 dB
Measured: ...........22.6 dB
Response Limit: 45.3 dB
F1 = ....................202 Hz
F2 = ....................6,000 Hz
Eq. Input Noise 27 dB
Battery (1.3V) .......0.31 mA
THD
FREQ
SRC
0.9%
500 Hz.
70 dB
0.2%
800 Hz
70 dB
1.0%
1,600 Hz 65 dB
100
90
80
70
60
50 60 70 80 90
(dbSPL)
Battery Drain ...........................0.31 mA
Battery Life (10A) ..................... 255 Hrs.
SIMPLICITY PERFORMANCE DATA
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15
BATTERY INSERTION AND REMOVAL
Your Simplicity uses a zinc-air #10 battery.
Do not remove the air activation tab until
you are ready to install the battery.
To open the battery door, place your thumb-
nail under the lip of the door and gently lift.
Note: The battery has two distinct sides. The
positive side (+) is flat and the negative side
(-) is rounded. Insert the round side first
into the battery door. If properly seated, the
flat side should be flush with the top of the
battery door. The battery door should easily
snap shut. Do not use force to close the door,
damage to the device may result.
To remove the battery,
open the door and
push the battery up and away from the lipped side of the door or use the
magnetic end of the utility brush to easily lift out the battery.
ABOUT YOUR HEARING AID...
Try to wear your hearing aid daily. Occasional use will not allow you to at-
tain full benefit from your hearing aid. Allow for a period of adjustment in
your routine listening environment. It will take a period of time to become
fully adjusted to hearing certain sounds again.
If you have purchased a single aid, we suggest that you consider purchas-
ing a device for your other ear. Amplification for both ears provides a sense
of hearing balance and allows you to reduce the amount of volume needed by
a single aid.
Hearing aids will not restore normal hearing and will not prevent or improve
a hearing impairment.
Discontinue use of your aids(s) and consult with your physician if you
notice any of the following symptoms:
•
skin irritation
•
increased production of earwax
•
any pain associated with the ear
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3
DEVICE INSERTION AND REMOVAL
Look at the base of the Dome Flex Tip for a blue or red marking. Blue
indicates the left ear and red for the right (see page. 1).
Place the Sim-
plicity device on top of the ear with the ear hook hanging over the front of
the ear (Fig. 1). The earmold should be oriented so that the tubing is facing
toward the opening of the ear canal. Gently push in the tip (red or blue) of
the tubing into your ear canal (Fig. 2).
After inserting the tip of the Dome Flex-tip into the ear canal, seat the
retention cord into the bottom bowl of ear (Fig. 3).
Fig. 1 Fig. 2 Fig. 3
WARNING TO HEARING AID DISPENSERS
A hearing aid dispenser should advise a prospective hearing aid user to
consult promptly with a licensed (preferably an ear specialist) before
dispensing 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:
• 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.
• Audio metric air-bone gap equal to or greater than 15 decibels at 500 hertz (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.
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13
OPERATION OF DEVICE
To turn your device on:
Insert battery into battery door and close the door. Insert into
your ear, then rotate the volume control slowly to the right.
To turn your device off:
Rotate volume control to the left. You should feel a slight
click when full “off” position is achieved. Do not force the
volume control, damage may occur. Or, open battery door
fully so that the battery is no longer making contact with
the device. This will allow you to leave the volume control
at your favorite listening level without
any readjustment.
Note:
If you detect a high pitched
whistling sound coming from the device,
turn down the volume slightly, check the
positioning of the sound tube in your ear,
then slowly increase the volume to a desired level.
IMPORTANT NOTICE TO PROSPECTIVE HEARING AID USERS
(continued)
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 programs 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 per-
mits a fully informed adult to sign a waiver statement declining the medical
evaluation 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 a hearing loss.
In addition 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 hearing 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.
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5
BATTERY INFORMATION
Low Battery Warning
The Simplicity features a low battery warning
alert. When the battery is in need of changing,
you will hear a low, “motorboating” sound which
becomes louder and faster as the battery power
becomes weaker.
Zinc-Air Battery Information
Your Simplicity uses a zinc-air #10 battery (yellow
tab). Peel off the paper activation tab prior to use.
To keep your device performing at peak efficiency,
use only premium zinc-air batteries.
Helpful hint #1.
Be sure NOT to remove the pull-tab off the back of the
battery until you are ready to install it in the device. This will provide the
longest possible operating life.
Helpful hint #2.
Open the battery door to your device when not in use to
rest the battery and to allow any moisture build-up to escape.
Remove activation tab
+
IMPORTANT NOTICE TO 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 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 Otolaryngologists, Otologists, or Otorhinolaryngologists. 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
statement that states that your hearing loss has been evaluated medically
and that you may be considered a candidate for a hearing aid. The physician
may refer you to an audiologist or a hearing aid dispenser, as appropriate, for
a hearing aid evaluation.
The audiologist or hearing aid dispenser will conduct a hearing aid evalu-
ation 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 individual needs.
DAILY DEVICE MAINTENANCE
1. At the end of each day, remove your Simplicity, clean the exterior with
a tissue and inspect the opening of the earmold tubing for any blockage,
moisture, or wax buildup.
2. Brush the sound port on a daily basis. Make sure the end of the tube is
pointed downward so that loose debris will not be pushed further into
the tubing.
3. Open battery door when device is not in use.
4. Do not expose your device to direct or excessive heat.
When storing your Simplicity for an extended period of time:
1. Remove the battery.
2. Place device in the presentation case or travel pouch.
3. Store the device in a cool, dry place, (not refrigerator.)
IMPORTANT PRECAUTIONS
1. Do not drop or throw your device. Internal damage may result.
2. Keep your device away from excessive heat (stove tops, hair dryers,
microwave ovens, heat lamps) or in the glove compartment of your car.
3. Do not get your device wet while bathing, showering or swimming.
4. Do not pry open the case of your device or attempt to repair it. This will void your
warranty and possibly cause further damage to the device.
5. Keep your Simplicity and all hearing devices out of reach of children and animals.
Battery Warning:
Batteries are dangerous if consumed. Keep batteries out
of reach of children and animals.
• Discard batteries properly, never place in fires or near flames.
• Never allow children to play with batteries
• Never put batteries in your mouth for any reason
• Always check medication before swallowing because batteries have been mistaken
for tablets.
If a battery has been swallowed: Call the National Button Battery
Ingestion Hot line: (202) 625-3333 for counseling on treatment
6
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10
TROUBLESHOOTING
Problem
Cause
Remedy
No sound ...................Battery dead
Replace battery
Blocked opening
Remove obstruction
Instrument defective
Consult Service Center
Not loud enough ........Volume control down
Rotate volume control
Battery weak
Replace battery
Blocked port
Check for obstruction
Component malfunction Consult Service Center
Intermittent sound ......Defective battery
Replace battery
Static ..........................Battery contact dirty
Open and close battery door
4-5 times to clean contacts
FEEDBACK
Feedback is the result of amplified sounds reflected back into the micro-
phone. Adjusting the device with your hand close to the device will also
cause feedback. This is normal occurrence with amplification devices.
If your are experiencing any feedback problems, try one or more of the
following suggestions:
• Check to ensure device is fully seated into your ear canal
• Make sure left device (blue) is in left ear and (red) for the right
• Slightly decrease the volume
• Inspect the sound port for blockage
Using the telephone
Your Simplicity device allows you to use the telephone in a completely
normal manner. Place the receiver to your ear as usual. If you hear a high-
pitched whistling noise (feedback) tilt the receiver slightly away from your
ear until the noise stops.
7
8
9
POLY-TUBE CLEANING
Cleaning the poly-tube
Slowly insert the cleaning filament end of the
Simplicity multi-tool into the sound port of the
dome flex-tip. Push the filament through the
dome completely to ensure all debris has been
removed. If you are unable to clear the blockage,
please contact the Readywearexpress customer
service dept. (page 18).
With the dome removed, insert the filament line
into the opening of the dome. Push the filament
through the dome completely to ensure all debris
has been removed.
Reinsert the flex dome on to the poly-tube, then
insert tubing connector into opening of the device
with a slight back and forth twisting motion and
push into place. Rotate the tube turn it back to its
original position.
POLY-TUBE REMOVAL
Removing the poly-tube
Turn the tubing (at connector base) left or right
ninety degrees from its original position.
Be sure to turn the tubing at the base where the
tube inserts in to the device, otherwise damage to
the tubing could occur.
The tubing position should change from directly
behind the device to parallel to its side. With a
slight back and forth twisting motion, pull apart
the device and poly-tubing.
After the poly-tube has been removed, the
dome flex tip will need to be separated from the
tube. Remove the dome flex-tip from the poly-tube
by gently twisting the poly-tube and pulling the
dome tip. Do not pull the dome by the outer edge,
hold the dome at the base where it connects to the
tubing.