Troubleshooting

We offer this section so that you may evaluate and possibly correct any problem you may have with your PRO EARS before contacting customer service. If it becomes necessary to return anything for service, please call our Service Department at 800-891-3660 to obtain an RMA (Return Merchandise Authorization) before shipping.

1. Check the batteries. While we actually receive a low number of Warranty returns, over half of the units returned are battery related. Please make sure the batteries are the correct 'N' Size, 1.5 volt (any other battery style will invalidate the warranty),are in good working order, and are facing in the proper direction. The spring end in the battery box is the negative end of the battery (as marked in the battery box). Many of the battery problems occur when using the wrong batteries. There is a similar sized, 12 volt battery on the market that is the same length with a slightly smaller diameter. Using this wrong model battery will void your warranty. Use only the 'N' size, 1.5 volt battery.
   
2. Make sure the Jumpers have not become dislodged. All PRO EARS electronic models (except the PRO 200, Pro 300 models) use Jumpers on the circuit board to allow you to customize the Sensitivity and Gain. To make sure the Jumpers have not become dislodged, you can check this by opening the foam battery flap in the ear cup. The Jumpers are located below the lower right corner of the battery box. Make sure a Jumper is covering either the pins marked L or H. A second Jumper, labeled Gain, should connect the pins labeled low or high.
   
3. Check the Jumper settings. All PRO EARS Dimension Series and Gold Series models have a special, internal set of Connector Pins or Jumpers that are used to alter the circuit board sensitivity and Gain settings. These Jumpers are independent of the volume controls. The internal sensitivity is set at the factory to a neutral (medium) setting for the Dimension Series or low for the Gold Series. However, under certain consistent, high-noise level situations such as industrial machinery, aviation, engine noise as in auto racing, or when unusually high (110 dB to 130 dB) levels are encountered, it is recommended that the circuit board sensitivity be set at the lower level. Doing so will further dampen the high background noise levels and increase the ability to hear lower level sounds such as conversation.
   

Dimension Series
To change the circuit board sensitivity setting, (see diagram) gently pull back the foam cover inside each cup. Position the cup so the batteries are on the top and the speaker is on the bottom. You will see 4 sets of stainless steel pins to the lower right of the battery box. From the left set of pins to the right, they are marked L, M, H, Gain. To adjust the sensitivity it will be necessary to use needle-nose pliers or pointed tweezers to CAREFULLY pull the black cover straight off from its current setting (usually medium) and place it on one of the other pin sets, L for low, or H for high*.

The right most set of pins is for gain. If the black Jumper is covering both of the end-pins, the Gain is on. If it is only covering the bottom pin the Gain is off (this is how the jumper is stored when the Gain is off). In most normal situations, you would use your PRO EARS with the Gain off. Having the Gain on allows you to hear amplified sounds at a very great distance and would prove to be distracting in most situations. A situation where having the Gain 'on' could be advantageous, would be in a hunting or photography situation. You would have the advantage of hearing a game bird calling or animals such as deer, elk, bear, etc., moving through brush at distances up to 100 yards, depending on the surrounding environment.

DOWNLOAD THESE JUMPER SETTINGS IN PDF FORMAT (Dimension Series).

Gold Series
Pro Ears Gold Series have two internal circuit board settings. Pins or jumpers are used to control the circuit boards sensitivity and gain settings. The internal settings are completely independent of the outer volume control knob. The two internal jumper settings; one controls the Speaker Level and the other jumper controls the Mic Gain. The internal sensitivity will be set on Low (from the factory) for both settings (except the Stalker and SC models which come with the gain set on high). The factory setting is ideal for consistent, high noise level situations. Example: Industrial noise, engine noise, aviation, or when unusually high (110 to 130dB) noises are encountered.

Along with the factory low setting the circuit board also has High settings. The first jumper setting, Gain, controls the distance at which sound is received by the electronics. The second jumper setting, Speaker Level, amplifies the sounds that are passed through the circuit board before the information is received by your ear. These setting will give you the ability to here quiet sound that you were unable to hear, and sounds from a greater distance (up to 100 yards depending on conditions) all while maintaining a safe 70dB peak sound level. When both speaker and gain levels are set to high sound is magnified 8x normal hearing. This is the unit’s highest amplification. The unit’s programmable jumpers setting are independent. A unique feature to Pro-Ears allows you to have different settings in each cup to match your specific needs.

There are different ways of setting speaker and gain controls:

Example #1 Set the Mic Gain on high and leave the Speaker Level on low; good to bring in distant sound for those who do not require amplification due to hearing loss all while maintaining a safe 70dB sound level

Example #2 Set the Speaker Level on high and leave the Mic Gain on low; good for those who need amplification due to hearing loss but do not want to hear distant sounds all while maintaining a safe 70dB sound level

The left set of pins are for Mic Gain (as shown). When the black jumper is covering the left two pins, the Mic Gain is on low. This is how the Mic Gain will be set from the factory, (excluding Stalker and SC models).
The 2nd set off pins are for Speaker Level (as shown). As with the Mic Gain; when the jumper is covering the left two pins the Speaker Level is on low. This is how the Speaker Level will be set from the factory, (excluding Stalker and SC models). Prior to making a change to these settings ensure your Pro-Ears are in the off position. You will see that there are two easy grab tabs attached to the jumpers. To make the desired change pull the jumpers straight up with your fingers or a set of tweezers or a small pair of needle nose pliers, move the jumper over to the desired pins and push the jumper straight down onto the pins carefully not to apply to much pressure and stop when jumper is fully seated.

Added benefits of the Pro Ears Gold Series are: On board Micro Processor, for built in diagnostics, interactive LED (light emitting diode) will come on during the Micro Processors self test. If your Pro-Ears are working properly the LED will shut off and the processor will turn the unit on. The test takes approximately 5 seconds. If there is a diagnosis failure the LED will shut off and the unit will not turn on. The Gold Series also has a remaining battery life indicator (by sound). With a Battery life of 60-100% you will not hear warning beeps. When you turn the unit on and the battery life is under 50% you will hear 10 warning beeps. When this happens you have approximately 40 or more hours of continues use remaining. When you turn the unit on and the batteries are at 10% or lower it will beep 10 times and stop, the unit will beep once every hour to inform you that the remaining time of use is approximately 2 hours. It is recommended that the batteries be replaced at this time due to degraded sound and performance. The unit will automatically shut off after four hours with no adjustments. The timer is activated every time the unit is turned off. If wearing the unit during shut off simply turn the unit off wait 2 to 3 seconds and turn the unit back on. Doing this will allow you to continue to use the unit and will reset the automatic shut off. The LED is used to inform the user about the status of the Micro Processor and the beeps are used to inform the user of the battery life.

DOWNLOAD THESE JUMPER SETTINGS IN PDF FORMAT (Gold Series).

*Changing the Jumper setting is a delicate operation. Altus Brands is not responsible for damage caused as a result of this procedure.*

IMPORTANT

1. PRO EARS ARE EXTREMELY DURABLE, HOWEVER, IT IS NOT ADVISABLE TO EXPOSE THEM TO EXTREME HEAT OR COLD.
   
2. CHECK TO ENSURE BATTERIES ARE IN GOOD CONDITION. EVEN THOUGH PRO EARS USE EXTREMELY LONG-LIFE BATTERIES, IT IS ADVISABLE TO ALWAYS CARRY A SPARE SET.

If, after reviewing the troubleshooting information provided above, you still have a question about your PRO EARS, please call our Service Department at 800-891-3660 between 8AM-4:30PM MST, or send an email to Service@Pro-Ears.com. Many times it is possible to rectify your problem over the phone. However, if it is necessary to return the unit(s), you will be given an RMA number for return. Because of the low rate of repairs/returns, your PRO EARS will normally be repaired and shipped back to you within 72 hours of receipt. Please see the Warranty section to ascertain what repairs are covered without cost.