ANA Discussion Forum
General Category => Hearing Issues => Topic started by: leapyrtwins on July 14, 2008, 10:04:08 pm
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Question for all you BAHA users.
How do you know when it's time to change your battery?
My audiologist told me a battery would last about 2 weeks and that I'd know when it needed changing.
Well, the 2 weeks guideline doesn't really make sense to me because some weeks I wear my processor more days than other weeks. And while I think I can tell when my processor doesn't sound loud enough anymore I'm not entirely sure that I can. I hate to be tossing batteries prematurely if they still have some power in them.
Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Jan
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Jan,
Great question. I am starting on day 13 and it still seems to be functioning well. I am sure that it either works or not. I'll be sure to let you know when my detective work is complete. ;)
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I find that I do go 2 weeks .. but then again I dont wear it every day (working from home by myself I dont wear it) . after 2 weeks a just start another.. it does not cost that much ...(I think back when a pack of smokes cost me 3 dollars a day :o )
I've noticed that before the batteries go out, it does not sound right.. starts to cut out at loud sounds....
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I think the information that came with my BAHA said that you would hear two long beeps. Of course, I don't know how you are supposed to discriminate them from another noise.
Linda
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I'm so glad that I'm not the only one who was mystified by the "when to change batteries" issue! I've had my Intenso since June 1 and have replaced the battery twice: June 21 and July 12. The BAHA rep who came to my audiologist's office when I "plugged in" my processor mentioned that the batteries lasted about two weeks. Two weeks passed and everything seemed okay, but on June 21 I heard a couple of random beeps that sounded as though they were coming from my head. Didn't do anything then, but a couple of hours later I heard the beeps again and decided it could indeed be a "battery signal." I changed the battery at that point. Spoke with my audiologist a few days later and she confirmed that hearing aids usually transmit signals when the batteries need to be replaced (what did I know? I've never had a hearing aid before!). I then went to the BUSK website and found this in the little write-up on the Intenso: "... sound signals alert users to when it's time to change the battery." I don't recall reading that in the literature that came with the processor, nor do I know if this is true for other BAHA models.
On July 12, the date of my second battery change, I was out on my patio with dinner guests and thought I heard the same little random beeps. The person sitting next to me looked over at me, but didn't say anything. I considered asking her if she had just heard two beeps coming from my head ... but then decided that I would just assume she had heard it, too, so I simply excused myself for a moment, went upstairs and changed the battery!
Is everyone comfortable with putting their processor on and taking it off? It was a bit like "Pin the Tail on the Donkey" for the first couple of days, but I got the hang of it pretty soon after that. I also had to get over my "yuck" factor at attaching something to my head and then prying it off, but fortunately that didn't last too long either!
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With the Divino model, there are no beeps, the sound goes intermittantly off several times, then stops completely. There is no weakening of power, just on and off a few times, then off.
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I change my Divino BAHA every 2 weeks whether I need it or not. When mine gets low it will go off and cut back on till you change the battery. I bought my batteries in bulk from www.soundbytes.com. The price is about half what you would pay in Wal-Mart buying one pack at a time.
Ellis
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Hey, guys -
thanks for all the information. I knew someone would be able to help me out.
Since I have the Divino, I guess I'll just have to wait until my sound goes completely and then change the battery.
Ellis, thanks for the battery link. I'm still working on the six-pack that came with my processor compliments of Cochlear, but I'll check out the battery prices at both Sam's Club and at the place you recommend.
Jan
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I don't know if this is accurate or not, but my audiologist told me that the batteries from Cochlear are more powerful than the ones you buy at Walmart, etc. Anyway, I ordered some to have on hand and they really didn't seem too expensive to me, but I've never bought hearing aid batteries before.
Linda
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In addition to the soundbytes link contained in an earlier post, people may want to check out www.microbattery.com. This company also carries the "powerone" brand, which is what came in my, and I assume everyone else's, processor package. This site was mentioned on the BUSK forum, and several posters commented that their audiologists said the powerone was the brand most compatible with BAHAs. I recall that one poster had even contacted Cochlear for a battery recommendation; powerone was the response. The Intenso, which is my BAHA model, requires the p675 battery, which I didn't find on the soundbytes site, but appears to be available from microbattery. I haven't ordered any batteries yet as I still have several of the "complimentary" ones from Cochlear.
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I am still using my Intenso today for the 14th day straight. I am using the Powerone brand that came with my unit from Cochlear. This battery is a 1.45V compared with other brands for the same battery size that say 1.4V so I don't know if that makes any difference or not. Anyhow I ordered and received a box of 60 Powerone P675 Zinc Air batteries for $25.95 plus about $5.00 shipping. A pretty good deal I thought. http://www.microbattery.com/ (http://www.microbattery.com/) It might be worth checking them out for yourself.
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Interesting info on all the batteries. Glad I started this thread ;)
My audiologist just said to use any "orange" coded hearing aid batteries, but it sounds like there are better options out there.
Thanks,
Jan
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Cool, a topic all about batteries. 8)
I use the brown battery, one size smaller than the orange. I went to the microbattery site; I now must choose between Rayovac Extra Advanced, PowerOne, PowerOne on a generic card for 25% less, or Rayovac GenX Extreme. I did not realize the choices were so daunting!
My hearing aid gives me two quick beeps, about 3 minutes before the battery bails out. I carry a spare in my wallet.
Steve
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Steve,
While you're knitting our hats, a little compartment on the side would be useful to carry the spare batteries for our aids. Something like a pocket would be nice and you could use your artistic abilities to knit hats suitable for the men and the ladies along with a unisex design.
While I don't have a BAHA yet, I have done the trial and should be having surgery this fall. My audiologist recommended batteries from Sam's as the cheapest for the Divino.
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Microbatteries send along with my order of 60 batteries a nifty little keyring battery container. It is big enough to carry 3 batteries. I'll try to post a picture of it later.
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Wow, Bucko!
Yes, please post a picture of the key chain! I'm really excited about this - can you tell ??? :D
Steve -
glad your BAHA envy hasn't prevented you from posting on this thread. Never considered how non-BAHA users knew when to change batteries.
Now I'm the jealous one - my Divino doesn't beep when low on battery :(
Jan
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Jan,
Sure doesn't take much to get you excited huh? :P
OK...just for you...here is my nifty cool key chain battery holder from Microbatteries.
Your Divino batteries may fit more since they are smaller. Not sure though.
(http://home.columbus.rr.com/buck/images/20080717-P1010130.jpg)
(http://home.columbus.rr.com/buck/images/20080717-P1010132.jpg)
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Wow, thanks for the pictures. As a future BAHA user I found this topic very interesting. I love the keychain. I will want to get one for myself.
Julie
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Bucko -
let's just say I live a semi-boring life :( ;)
Thanks for the picture. Does the keychain come free with a battery order?
Also, what color are the Intenso batteries? The Divino ones are orange.
I can't wait for Lori to get back from vacation! I think she'll love the keychain so much she'll want to add it to the BAHA gift packs we hope to market someday :D
Jan
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Jan,
Free with the order. Nada.
I was actually pretty excited too so I guess my life is semi-boring too. ;D
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You know, Bucko, sometimes it's the little things in life that mean the most ;)
Glad the key chain was free - I'll definitely check out the site and order some batteries as I need some; need a new keychain too :D
What color are your batteries? Just wondering for future reference; in case someone asks me. Yeah, I know the odds of that are small; but I like to be informed ;D
Jan
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I bought my batteries in bulk from www.soundbytes.com.
Ellis -
just got around to checking out this link. Very cool 8)
In addition to batteries, lots of nice products for those of us with hearing issues - kind of like a toy store for the hearing impaired ;)
Think I'll be spending some money here shortly.
Thanks,
Jan
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Jan,
It is a great site for those of us with hearing problems. All I have bought from them is a box of batteries over a year ago. I still haven't use half the box yet, changing batteries every 2 weeks. I'm sure when I need to reorder I will buy more than just batteries.
Ellis
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Ellis -
if you do purchase some stuff, please give us some feedback on what you buy.
Thanks,
Jan
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if you do purchase some stuff, please give us some feedback on what you buy.
Hopefully you buy something that does not give feedback, though. ;D
Steve
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Very amusing comeback, Steve :D
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Jan, I can't believe I just saw this! Apparently my body got back from vacation, but my brain is lagging behind on the beach somewhere.
Anyway, my battery seems to last at least 2 weeks, but I don't wear it all the time either. For my keychain, I got one that holds 2 batteries and is a battery tester - so I can test how strong my battery is! Is that cool or what? I found it online somewhere, but I'd have to look and see what the name of the place was.
I bought my batteries at Sam's club. The big package was a lot cheaper there than buying the smaller packages elsewhere. But 60 for $25.00 is even better! I think I'll check that website out!
And just as a word of advice, the BAHA will not work without a battery in it, as I found out a few weeks ago when I forgot to put a battery in. Oops. :-[
Lori
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Lori -
following your example, I guess! I just now saw your post.
Vacations - for work or for pleasure - can sure take a toll :P
I actually had my BAHA go completely dead one day recently; I just stopped hearing any sound out of it. Big clue for me that I needed to change my battery ::)
As time goes on, I've learned to reach up and touch my BAHA so that it whistles. This serves two purposes for me - one, I know my processor is attached to my head (because honestly I can't feel it and sometimes forget it's snapped on) and two, I know the battery doesn't need replacing.
I'm sure anyone standing near me thinks it's very strange to hear my head "whistling", but I really don't care :D
Jan - rebellious as ever ;)
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Hi Jan,
All this information about BAHA and batteries is very interesting. All things that will come in handy in the not too distant future (I hope anyway) How loudly does your BAHA whistle when you touch it?
Wendy
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From what I gather, it's doesn't whistle too loudly, although it's hard for me to tell since it's attached to my head and obviously the tiny microphone in the processor amplifies the sound.
My children claim they can hear the whistle. But they told me that only after I specifically asked them - so they may have just been lying to me :P They also used to tell me they could see my BAHA under my hair, but I tested a few of their friends who didn't know I had one and they said they could see absolutely nothing. So let's just say that my children aren't always truthful - but they didn't get that from MY side of the family ::)
Anyway, I don't want to give you the impression that my BAHA whistles on a regular basis. It only whistles when I purposely make it do so.
Jan
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Mine only whistles when something comes near the microphones. Like if I lean my head back on the back of the couch or sometimes my sunglasses set it off. That's actually how I can tell when the battery is getting low - it just whistles differently.
Sometimes other people can hear it, but only if it's really quiet, in which case, I probably wouldn't have it turned on anyway.
The other day I ran into a old friend who has to hug everyone, and she leaned against my BAHA and it whistled and she kept apologizing about hurting my ear. I just told her it probably hurt her ear more than it hurt mine! :D
Lori
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Jan,
I think your kids like to press your buttons since they obviously know how to! What can you do, can't liive with them, can't live without them!!
Lori - Having your friend hug you and hear your BAHA whistle could only happen to you!!!! I'll bet she was very surprised and thinks twice about hugging you again.
Wendy
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Actually, she is a sign language interpreter and spends a lot of time with deaf people and people with various hearing aids, so I'm sure it wasn't much of a surprise to her! Although, I did see her yesterday and she didn't hug me! Maybe it did hurt her ear! :o
Lori