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Hospital hearing aid battery policy

Posted by ltecato @ltecato, Jan 11, 2020

I went to an emergency room in April with a feeding tube problem and ended up being hospitalized for about three days. During this time, my hearing aid battery died and the hospital refused to provide a new one or even allow me to walk across a parking lot and buy a pack for myself. Does anyone know if it is standard policy for hospitals to not keep a stock of hearing aid batteries for patients? Have you ever been in a hospital when your hearing aid battery died? Thanks in advance for any responses.

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elwood | @elwood | Jan 13, 2020
In reply to @lizzy102 "Just thought of this, we are such strong advocates for hearing loss, what would happen if..." + (show)
@lizzy102

Just thought of this, we are such strong advocates for hearing loss, what would happen if you did some post-hospital advocacy to address the battery issue? You could write to hospital administration and to the Patient Advocate. You could ask for a visit from the Patient Advocate (all hospitals have them) and put a bug in their ear. For someone like me with severe/profound hearing loss, not having batteries (in case the card of batteries I carry everywhere I go runs out) could have been dangerous to my health.

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I keep 10-12 batteries in the case my Costco aids came in. Always in my pocket. the aids go about 4 days on one batt. Simple, never been a problem.

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ltecato | @ltecato | Jan 13, 2020
In reply to @elwood "I keep 10-12 batteries in the case my Costco aids came in. Always in my pocket...." + (show)
@elwood

I keep 10-12 batteries in the case my Costco aids came in. Always in my pocket. the aids go about 4 days on one batt. Simple, never been a problem.

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I think my batteries usually last at least 10 days but it always *seems* like they die sooner than I expect. I'm only using one aid now.

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arrowshooter | @arrowshooter | Jan 13, 2020

Not all batteries are create equal. Some brands/types have more capacity than others.
The one commonality is that streaming (bluetooth) drains batteries much faster than just using HA mics.

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ltecato | @ltecato | Jan 13, 2020

OK, I've been wondering, do batteries last longer if you let them sit and "breathe" for a few minutes after you peel off the sticker before putting them in the HA? I have tried that occasionally but cannot tell if it makes much difference.

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arrowshooter | @arrowshooter | Jan 13, 2020

I assume you mean for the zinc/air batteries. Theoretically - yes. Actually - it depends.

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ltecato | @ltecato | Jan 13, 2020
In reply to @arrowshooter "I assume you mean for the zinc/air batteries. Theoretically - yes. Actually - it depends." + (show)
@arrowshooter

I assume you mean for the zinc/air batteries. Theoretically - yes. Actually - it depends.

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Right. For as long as I can remember I have been using Size 13 zinc air, and I did not even know until a minute ago that Size 13 is mainly for the "high-powered" aids and most users are using Size 312.

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tonyinmi | @tonyinmi | Jan 13, 2020
In reply to @ltecato "OK, I've been wondering, do batteries last longer if you let them sit and "breathe" for..." + (show)
@ltecato

OK, I've been wondering, do batteries last longer if you let them sit and "breathe" for a few minutes after you peel off the sticker before putting them in the HA? I have tried that occasionally but cannot tell if it makes much difference.

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Itecato, the answer is yes. I've read that some manufacturers say to wait one minute after removing the tab. However, a student determined that if you wait five minutes, you'll get a longer life. I didn't verify but you can read about it hear: https://kfor.com/2015/06/10/boys-science-fair-project-expected-to-save-hearing-aid-users-70-a-year/

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ellen307 | @ellen307 | Jan 14, 2020
In reply to @joyces "I keep a card with 8 batteries (or whatever's left of the 8) in my wallet...." + (show)
@joyces

I keep a card with 8 batteries (or whatever's left of the 8) in my wallet. You never know when you'll be away from home and your batteries will decide to quit. I buy batteries at Costco, where six cards of 8 each (48 total) cost $8.99, a HUGE saving from drugstore cost.

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I do the same thing after bring out n about with no batteries n hearing aids died . Began keeping extras pack with me all the time.

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ellen307 | @ellen307 | Jan 14, 2020

Yes been out with out extra batteries Costco sell 45 batteries in package $8.99 I think cost is very low so you can always keep pack with you as well pack of ear wax guards if heating goes blank your lost till you get home n replace tiny part. Always keep both with you.

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ellen307 | @ellen307 | Jan 14, 2020
In reply to @ltecato "I think my batteries usually last at least 10 days but it always *seems* like they..." + (show)
@ltecato

I think my batteries usually last at least 10 days but it always *seems* like they die sooner than I expect. I'm only using one aid now.

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I do not get 10 days from my hearing aid batteries my batteries are very good depends on battery n hearing air wax guard

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