Download Manual - SpeechEasy Pro

Tips & Hints
FDA Warning
Limited Warranty Terms
How it Works
Listen to the device
The use of a device in the ear may increase the accumulation of ear wax or
cause skin irritation. If you notice any irritation, or if wax builds up rapidly,
please consult your SpeechEasy® Provider.
What the Limited Warranty Covers and the Period of Coverage
Janus Development Group, Inc. warrants that the SpeechEasy® device will be free from
manufacturing defects in materials and workmanship for one year from the date of
manufacture. The warranty extends only to the original purchaser.
SpeechEasy® is a device designed to emulate choral speech — a
phenomenon which has been found to induce fluency in people who
stutter. Your SpeechEasy® device creates this choral speech pattern
through the use of Altered Auditory Feedback (AAF), which consists of a
combination of Delayed Auditory Feedback (DAF) and Frequency Altered
Feedback (FAF). The use of AAF in people who stutter has been shown to
produce amazing results.
The fluency that SpeechEasy® can help to induce is not entirely automatic.
Depending on the individual, a degree of effort may be required in order to
pay attention to the auditory feedback generated by the device. Most users
find that after a few days of actively reminding themselves to listen to the
device, this process becomes fairly automatic.
Stretch vowel sounds
Battery Warning
Stretching vowels can help achieve the voice inhibition needed to go
though difficult sounds. As you approach a sound you know is difficult,
attempt to stretch the vowel sounds on a few words prior to the difficult
sound. You can also apply this technique by stretching the vowel sound on
small words throughout your reading and/or conversation. (For example,
words like I, the, and, out, of, etc.)
• SpeechEasy® should only be used as recommended by your SpeechEasy®
Provider or Physician.
Perform “warm-up” exercises
• Dispose of batteries immediately in a receptacle that is inaccessible
by children.
Every time you put your SpeechEasy® in your ear, take a minute to do
some “warm-up” exercises to get accustomed to listening to the signal
again. Simple recitations, such as counting to ten or saying the months of
the year, are effective exercises. While performing these exercises, be sure
to listen to the device and to be conscious of the signal.
Use a starter
You should take some time to practice each day by reading aloud using
the “uh” method. During the reading, each time you naturally stop to
take in a breath, start speaking again using an “uh” sound. Follow this
regimen for at least ten minutes in the morning and again at night (even
though you may already be fluent when you read aloud to yourself).
This simple exercise can lead to a continuing improvement in your
conversational speech.
• Keep your batteries out of reach of small children and pets.
• Never change batteries in front of small children.
• Never let children play with batteries.
• Never incinerate batteries.
• Never put batteries in your mouth for any reason.
• Always check medication before swallowing; batteries have been
mistaken for tablets.
!
If a battery is swallowed, immediately call The National Button
Battery Ingestion Hotline at (202) 625-3333 for counsel on treatment.
Minimizing anticipation
The SpeechEasy® can significantly enhance your fluency, but thoughts
and feelings of expecting to stutter may linger for awhile. For years you
may have expected to stutter every time you spoke, but with an ongoing
improvement in fluency, this will change. In the early stages of adjusting to
the SpeechEasy®, many users state that they expect to stutter on a word
and are surprised when they do not. In addition to using an “uh” between
utterances as described in the section above, you might find it beneficial
to also add an “uh” before a word you anticipate you will stutter on. You
may need to experiment to determine if you really need to do this – or to
determine the degree to which you may need to do it. The signal from the
SpeechEasy® and the routine application of an “uh” may be sufficient for
you. Should you apply this technique, focus on the “uh” as you blend into
the word, not on the word itself.
Ear wax blockage is the most common cause of low or no sound.
To remove ear wax from the instrument, use the cleaning tool provided by
your SpeechEasy® Provider.
Do NOT attempt to use toothpicks, pins, needles or other sharp
objects as this could cause damage to the instrument. Depending
on the depth and degree of the blockage it may be necessary to
see your SpeechEasy® Provider for a thorough cleaning.
Ease into difficult situations
Immediate perfection with the SpeechEasy® is an unrealistic expectation.
Do not feel like you should immediately be fluent in areas where you
typically have the most difficulty. For example, if you have a great deal
of trouble being fluent while using the telephone, do not feel pressured
to make several phone calls in one day. Instead, limit your amount of
exposure to these difficult encounters while simultaneously gaining
confidence and experience using your SpeechEasy®. You should find that
as time progresses, your difficult situations will become less frequent and
easier to manage.
Symptom
Possible Cause
Remedy
Low Volume or dead
Wax in sound tube
Battery
Clean
Replace
Intermittent, scratchy
Wax in sound tube
Weak battery
Moisture in Microphone
Moisture in Receiver
Clean
Replace
Use a Drying Kit
Use a Drying Kit
Experience the process
Whistle (feedback)
Volume too high
Ear wax
Readjust
Clean instrument
Clean your ears
Reinsert
See your SpeechEasy®
Provider
Even though your experience using the SpeechEasy in the Provider’s
clinic was quite an event, you will be going through an adjustment
process of adapting to the use of your new aid. Some points that
will require adaptation are: getting accustomed to the signal in
your ear, learning to listen to the second signal, gradually taking on
more challenging speaking situations, and learning how to make the
SpeechEasy® work best for you. All of these items will take time ... be
patient and pace yourself during this process.
®
Not properly inserted
Loss or gain of weight
Sound Distorted
Wax in sound tube
Weak battery
Moisture in Microphone
Moisture in Receiver
What You Must Do For Warranty Service To file a claim, contact the Speech
Language Pathologist who fitted you for the device. If you are unable to reach your
Speech Language Pathologist, contact us at the address below. Claims must be
filed within the warranty coverage period. Information verifying the date of original
purchase may be requested. Except for implied warranties arising under state law, or
as otherwise limited by law, the time within which an action must be commenced to
enforce any of our obligations arising under this warranty or under any statute or law of
the United States or any state thereof, is limited to ninety (90) days from the date you
discover or should have discovered the defect.
Our Address
Janus Development Group, Inc.
112 Staton Road
Greenville, NC 27834
Telephone: (252)551-9042
Troubleshooting
!
Your Responsibility and What is Not Covered
The above warranties are subject to the following conditions:
• All warranty servicing must be performed at authorized service centers.
• This warranty does not cover the cost of re-fitting or re-evaluation, except as specifically provided under “What We Will Do.”
• This warranty does not cover damage, defects, or failure caused by abuse or misuse;
excessive wax accumulation; improper care; impact or insertion of foreign objects;
improper fitting; vandalism; improper storage; maintenance or repair performed by
anyone other than an authorized service center; application of harmful chemicals; Acts
of God, fire, or water; abrasives; negligence; failure to follow manufacturer’s instructions; loss of the device; normal wear and tear; or alteration.
• This warranty is effective only if the product is purchased and used in the United
States.
• Warranty claims may need to be substantiated with proof of purchase for your device
(bill of sale), at Janus’ request. Please retain the device bill of sale for your records.
What We Will Do If a device fails under a warranted condition, we will repair or replace
the device, at our option, at no cost to you. If we choose to replace the device, we will
replace the device with the same product or another comparable product of equal or
higher value. If repair or replacement will take longer than fifteen (15) business days
(not including shipping time), we will notify you of an estimated repair or replacement
date. We will pay shipping costs from an authorized SpeechEasy® dispensing speech
language pathologistís office to our facility and pay for shipping back to your residence.
If we replace the entire device under warranty, including all fitted parts, we will cover
the cost of re-fitting (which may include an ear impression and any additional shipping
charges). Repaired or replaced devices are warranted only for the remainder of the
original warranty period. Please see “Limitations on Liability and Warranty Exclusions”
and “Disputes,” below, for additional important information.
Clean
Replace
Use a Drying Kit
Use a Drying Kit
Benefits of AAF
• Alteration of auditory feedback results in 50-95% stuttering reduction in
80-90% of the stuttering population who try it.
• Use of altered auditory feedback reduces stuttering regardless of rate of
speech; implying that people who stutter need not be asked to reduce
their rate of speech to achieve fluency.
• The fluency effects of altered auditory feedback are more robust and
satisfactory (about 50-95%) than masking noise (about 40-50%).
• Use of altered auditory feedback has been shown to be effective when
speaking in front of an audience.
• Use of altered auditory feedback has been shown to be effective when
speaking on the telephone.
• No differences in the effectiveness of altered auditory feedback when
used either in the right or the left ear.
© 2004-Rev.2 Janus Development Group, Inc.
Limitations on Liability and Warranty Exclusions With the exception of any warranties implied by state law as limited in this document, the foregoing warranty is exclusive
and in lieu of all other warranties and obligations. We disclaim and shall not be liable
for any indirect, consequential, special, or incidental damages, whether in contract,
tort, or otherwise, and whether or not we have been advised of the possibility of the
same. Except to the extent otherwise required by law, our liability in connection with
any order or device shall not exceed the price you paid to us for the device, excluding
freight, service fees, and taxes. We are not responsible for any costs or losses you may
incur because of a canceled order, failure of delivery, late delivery or errors in delivery,
travel incurred for purchase or delivery, mistakes on an order accepted by you, or shipping from a location other than that of a providing SLP. The sole remedy provided by
this warranty is the repair or replacement of defective devices. Any refunds are in our
complete discretion and do not obligate us to make any future refunds.
ALL WARRANTIES IMPLIED BY STATE LAW, INCLUDING (BUT NOT LIMITED TO)
IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
PURPOSE, ARE EXPRESSLY LIMITED TO THE DURATION OF THE EXPRESS LIMITED
WARRANTIES SET FORTH ABOVE. Some states do not allow limitations on how long
an implied warranty lasts, so the above limitation may not apply to you. Some states
do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the
above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific
legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state.
Disputes This warranty is governed by the laws of the State of North Carolina, without
regard to principles of conflicts of laws, and applicable United States federal law. The
United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods shall
not apply. YOU AGREE TO SUBMIT ANY CLAIM, DISPUTE, OR CONTROVERSY
(REGARDLESS OF THE FORM OR TYPE OF ACTION) AGAINST US TO ARBITRATION
ADMINISTERED BY THE NATIONAL ARBITRATION FORUM UNDER ITS CODE OF
PROCEDURE THEN IN EFFECT (available at http://www.arb-forum.com or via telephone at 1-800-474-2371). Except to the extent otherwise required by law, you agree
that the arbitration proceedings will take place exclusively in Greenville, North Carolina,
USA. You may be entitled to file suit under state laws without submitting your claim to
arbitration first. Information on arbitration may be obtained from, and a claim may be
filed with, the National Arbitration Forum at P.O. Box 50191, Minneapolis, MN 554050191 USA.
Miscellaneous Terms A waiver of strict compliance with any term herein shall not
be deemed a continuing waiver or waive any other terms or conditions. Any modification or amendment to this warranty must be in writing and signed by the President
of Janus Development Group, Inc. in order to be effective. Distributors, dealers, and
speech language pathologists are not authorized to add to or vary this warranty. If any
term herein is illegal, invalid, or unenforceable, then such term shall be ignored, but
the remaining terms and conditions shall remain in effect. The official language of this
warranty is English. We are excused from performance to the extent of any delay or
inability to perform arising due to weather events, disasters, acts of terror, governmental
action or regulation, labor or materials shortages or disputes, or other circumstances not
under our control.
Care & Maintenance
Manual
Congratulations
Inserting and Wearing
Cleaning
General Care
We wish you every success with your new fluency tool and feel confident
in the knowledge that its effects will dramatically improve your life.
• Hold the SpeechEasy® positioned the way it
will sit in your ear.
Your SpeechEasy® is a precision instrument and regular care will reduce the
likelihood of it needing service or repair. On a daily basis, you should:
Avoid heat
Please keep this manual in a safe place and refer to it often.
• Gently insert the canal portion of the device
into your ear.
• Wipe the instrument with a soft lint free cloth or facial tissue.
Your new SpeechEasy® requires attention, in order to keep it in top
working condition. The device is designed and manufactured to provide
you with many years of superior performance, but only under proper care.
The information in this booklet will help you to care and maintain your
SpeechEasy® — and ultimately to extend the life of your new investment.
Please take the time to read this guide and learn how to use and care for
your new SpeechEasy® device.
Getting Familiar
ITC
Microphone
• If your instrument is not properly inserted, whistling
(feedback) and/or discomfort will occur.
!
• Should you feel undue pressure or discomfort after
properly inserting your device, please contact your
SpeechEasy® Provider.
• Remove the instrument with a gently twisting motion.
Pull String
• Never pull on the volume control or battery compartment as damage
can result.
In The Canal (ITC)
• Your instrument may be equipped with a pull string for easier removal.
Wax Guard
Vent
Volume Control
Behind The Ear (BTE)
Battery Door
Microphone
Second Memory Option (if selected)
Battery Door
SpeechEasy® Identification
A unique, identifying serial number is either imbedded in the custom shell
of your instrument or is placed within the interior of the battery door. This
serial number is specific to your device and allows us to track any problems
or repairs. Please write this number on the Notes panel for future reference.
Turning Device On & Off
For devices equipped with a volume control knob:
Battery Information
Battery sizes
CIC = 10A
CIC
ITC = 312
BTE = 13
ITC
BTE
We recommend the use of zinc air batteries to provide longer battery life.
• The tab should be removed from the battery 30–60 seconds prior to
installing it into the device (this prevents a battery ‘surge’ from damaging
the SpeechEasy®).
Figure 1
• If the device happens to get wet, let it dry naturally with the battery door
open. A dry aid kit may also be purchased from a hearing professional
which can help to remove moisture.
• Never dry a device with a hair dryer.
Figure 2
To clean:
2. Using the tool included with your purchase, gently
brush away wax that has collected on the door, as
shown in Figure 3.
• If a battery is swallowed, immediately call:
The National Button Battery Ingestion Hotline at (202) 625-3333.
Cleaning Devices with a Wax Spring or an Extended Receiver Tube
• Identify the positive side of your new battery.
If your device does not have a volume control knob:
!
WARNING—Attempting to close the door with the battery inserted
incorrectly will cause damage to your instrument. NEVER FORCE
THE DOOR CLOSED! Severe damage to your SpeechEasy® can
occur from improper installation. See additional warnings on back.
Figure 3
The opposite end of the brush provided with your SpeechEasy® device
should house a small wax pick for cleaning this style of wax protection
system.
1. Hold the device horizontally, with the sound outlet
to one side, as shown in Figure 4, and gently pick
the wax out of the area surrounding the sound
outlet.
!
• It is recommended that you insert your SpeechEasy® while comfortably
seated on a soft surface.
• Carry a spare battery with you, in case of emergencies.
If you sweat excessively, a Drying Kit can be very helpful, and will help
protect your instrument from failure caused by moisture.
REMEMBER—Continuous use will maximize your enjoyment and benefit.
Wear your SpeechEasy® often.
!
IMPORTANT—In addition to the cleaning processes described,
we highly recommend that you have the instrument professionally
cleaned periodically. Your SpeechEasy® Provider can help you determine when and where this should be performed.
Service
To clean:
2. Be careful not to push the wax into the sound
outlet.
• When not in use, store your SpeechEasy® in the case or pouch provided.
• Never store your SpeechEasy® within reach of children or pets.
5. In the unlikely event that the wax guard door is removed or damaged,
see your SpeechEasy® Provider for immediate assistance.
• DO NOT place the battery directly into your device. The hinged door is
designed to cradle the battery and hold it securely.
• Avoid dropping your SpeechEasy®, especially on hard surfaces.
• Never attempt to repair your SpeechEasy®.
• Keep batteries away from children, pets and medications. If a battery is
accidentally swallowed, seek medical attention immediately.
• Open the battery compartment by holding the instrument firmly in one
hand and using a fingernail to ease the battery door open.
Handle with care
• Avoid leaving your SpeechEasy® where it could potentially be exposed to
extreme heat or cold.
1. Open the door and support with your finger.
4. Once done, be sure to close the wax guard door prior to inserting the
device into your ear.
Changing the battery
• Protect the device from rain and snow.
• Perspiration can also damage the device.
• Do not carry loose batteries in your pocket or purse, as contact with other
metal objects may short-circuit the batteries.
• If the compartment door does not close smoothly, check to make sure
the battery is inserted properly.
• Turn on by inserting a battery in the door and closing the compartment.
• SpeechEasy® should never be worn while swimming or participating in
water-related activities.
Your SpeechEasy may be equipped with this unique
wax protection system. A small, hinged door is installed on the sound
outlet of the instrument. This wax protection system helps reduce the
likelihood of ear wax getting into and blocking the speaker and damaging
other internal components.
®
• After extended periods of exposure to cold temperatures, the battery may
lose power. If this occurs, allow the SpeechEasy® to naturally return to
room temperature and power should be restored.
• The SpeechEasy® should never be worn in or near saunas, steam baths,
regular baths, vaporizers or showers.
• Store batteries in a cool, dry place. Do not refrigerate.
• The CIC device cannot be turned on or off with a volume control.
• Turn off by rotating the volume control backwards until it clicks off.
Cleaning Instruments with a Flip-Top Wax Guard
Avoid cold
Avoid moisture
3. Be sure when brushing that you are pushing the
wax away from the hole, rather than into the device!
• Match the plus “+” sign on the battery with the “+” sign on the top edge
of the battery compartment door and close the door slowly. You may also
note that the battery door is designed so that the battery will only fit properly when the plus signs are matched.
• Turn on by rotating the volume control forward.
NEVER use alcohol, water or solvents to clean your SpeechEasy®.
Your SpeechEasy® may be equipped with some type
of wax guard system: a Flip-Top, Wax Spring, or
Extended Receiver Tube. A Flip-Top Wax Guard, like
the one shown in Figure 1, has a hinged door on the
end of the device. A Wax Spring is a metal coil at the
tip of the device that keeps wax from going further
into the device. The Extended Receiver Tube Wax
Guard is a white tube that extends slightly beyond
the tip of the device, as shown in Figure 2. This tube
creates a lip that hinders wax from entering the
device. Note: Some devices may be too small to have
a wax guard.
• Do not wear the device when using a hair dryer or while applying hair
spray or perfumes.
• The device can function well when outdoors even during winter.
Three Types of Wax Guard Systems
BTE
• Push gently behind the ear to expose the instrument enough to handle
with your thumb and index finger.
Battery Door
• Lightly brush the face of the instrument. Be sure to brush away from the
microphone sound inlet.
• Leave battery door open at night to allow the device to air out.
Removing
Wax Guard
Volume
Control
CIC
• Wearing an improperly fitted device can lead to more
serious complications.
Completely In The Canal (CIC)
Vent
• Push carefully on the face of your instrument to ensure that it is fully seated in your
ear. The instrument should fit securely in your ear.
• Clean the canal tip using a brush and the wax pick.
• Do not place the device near stoves, radiators, heat lamps or in
direct sunlight.
If you do not know where to obtain authorized service for your
SpeechEasy®, our customer service staff will help you find a Provider
in your area. Please call Janus Development Group.
Figure 4
IMPORTANT— SpeechEasy® requires cleaning every day to stay
operable. The number one cause for failure in SpeechEasy® devices
is directly related to the lack of daily cleaning. Without cleaning,
your SpeechEasy® quickly begins to accumulate wax and moisture,
which lead to eventual damage of the internal components of the
device. This damage, however, is relatively easy to prevent.
By performing these cleaning procedures on your SpeechEasy® each
day, you can dramatically extend the life of your device.
Contact Information
Janus Development Group, Inc.
112 Staton Road
Greenville, NC 27834
Website:
E-Mail:
Phone:
Fax:
www.speecheasy.com
[email protected]
(252) 551-9042
(252) 413-0950