INTRODUCTION

The OtoSimple II hearing screener has just one button. See figure 1. Pressing the rectangular shaped button turns on the unit.

Quickly pressing and releasing the button advances the frequency. There are four frequencies: 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 Hertz. The sound level is accurately calibrated to 25 db HL.

Holding the button down will pulse the selected frequency at a louder sound level of 40 db HL.

BASIC OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

1. Press and release the rectangular button. The unit turns on and a green light indicates that the 1000Hz tone is active. See figure 1. The sound level is 25 db HL
2. Press and quickly release the button to advance to the next frequency. The sound level remains at 25 db HL.
3. The green lights always indicate which frequency is active.
4. Holding the button down instead of quickly releasing it causes the unit to “pulse” on and off every 200 milliseconds. The green light turns red and flashes indicating that the unit is pulsing. See figure 2.
5. If the button is released while the unit is pulsing the pulsing stops. The frequency remains unchanged. The light turns green and the sound level reverts back to 25 db HL.
6. To pulse the frequency again, press and hold the Scan button again.
7. The unit turns itself off if no buttons are pressed for 60 seconds.

Become familiar with operating the unit before using it to screen a subject for hearing loss.

The pulsing function of the unit is useful if the subject has Tinnitus (ringing in the ears).  It also helps to clarify if a subject is actually hearing a tone.

Your unit should be calibrated every 1–2 years.  Check your State regulations. Go to www.HearingScreeners.com for information about re-calibrating your unit.

PRACTICE SEQUENCE OF BUTTON PUSHES  (video shown on right of screen)

The video on the right of the screen is demonstrating the following sequence of button "pushes" and plays in a continuous loop. You can "mouse over" and pause the video if desired.

1. The sequence starts when the green 1 kHz LED is on by itself and pauses for a second. This indicates the rectangular button was pressed to turn on the unit. The 1000 Hz tone is now on.
2. The button is then pressed and quickly released 4 times. This scans through all the frequencies. A tone is always present.
3. Next each button is pressed and quickly released, but before advancing to the next frequency the same button is held down to start the frequency pulsing. The green lights turn red during the pulsing.
4. Step 3 above is repeated until all four frequecies have pulsed.
5. Then the unit returns to the starting point with th 1000 Hz tone on.
6. The sequence repeats

Practicing the above sequence a few times will make you proficient with operating the unit and prepare you to screen subjects.

 

There are many different ways to use the OtoSimple to screen hearing.  Following is one possible method to follow.

STEP ONE – TALK TO THE SUBJECT

• For successful screening there needs to be good communication with the subject. Talk to the subject before any screening begins
• Explain to the subject to raise their hand when they hear something and lower their hand when they don’t, see figure 3. Also explain to them to speak out when what they hear changes and explain what the change was. For instance they should say something when they detect the unit starts pulsing a tone.

STEP TWO – SETUP THE UNIT

• Holding the OtoSimple II unit away from the subject, press and release the rectangular button to turn the unit on.
• The lights should be as figure 2 indicates.
• When the OtoSimple unit is turned on there is always a tone present. The green light indicates which frequency tone is active.

STEP THREE – QUICK CHECK

Do the following quick-check sequence to see if the subject is hearing all the tones:

• Place the unit over one of the subject’s ears centered on their ear canal.
• If the subject raises their hand ask them what they hear to confirm it is a tone. If the subject doesn’t raise their hand make a note that further testing is needed for this frequency.
• Press and quickly release the button to advance to the next frequency. If the subject hears the tone their hand should be raised and they should verbally indicate they hear a different pitch. If the subject doesn’t raise their hand or comment on the frequency change, make a note that further testing is needed for this frequency. See figure 3.
• Repeat the above step as many times as necessary to get a consistent result for all frequencies. The 500 Hz test should be omitted if the testing environment is not very quiet.
•  Repeat all of STEP THREE the other ear

STEP FOUR – VERIFY HEARING PROBLEMS

• Holding the OtoSimple II unit away from the subject, turn the unit on and sequence to the frequency the subject lowered their hand or didn’t hear the presented frequency.
• Hold the button down until the green light turns red and begins to flash.
• Place the unit over the subject’s ear centered on their ear canal.
• Ask the subject what they hear. If they don’t hear a pulsing tone there is a good probability there is hearing loss at that frequency.
• Repeat STEP FOUR as many times as necessary to get a consistent result.

STEP FIVE - REFER

• Refer the subject for more detailed testing if a hearing loss is suspected.

INSTALLING / REPLACING THE AAA BATTERIES

• Refer to figure 4.
• Remove the battery compartment screw using the supplied screwdriver.
• Remove the battery compartment cover.
• Install/replace three AAA batteries.
• Replace the battery cover and re-attach with the screw.