Everyone with a hearing device has had their battery die on them at some time. What do you do to get through it?
It's happened to me before but one weekend sticks out in mind. We were in living in RI for at the time and our daughter was 2 months old. Two hours into a drive to Baltimore for the weekend I realized I didn't pack my CI battery charger. NOOO! My heart plummeted and I panicked. We would be SURROUNDED by people excited to meet our baby girl! I used to utilize the racks and disposable batteries before I upgraded to N7 processors but was now pissed that I chose to use rechargeable. I teared up from all of the emotions churning inside of me - "I'm going to be so embarrassed! People are going to say what's wrong with her/why is she so rude? I won't be able to hear anyone say anything! I can't lipread that well anymore!"
With a breath I somehow accepted that we couldn't turn around. I told my husband to tap me and look at me if he needed to tell me anything then promptly turned both processors off. I needed to save my batteries! I went to MyCochlear.com to order and RMA. However was already 8:30 PM Friday evening and I likely wouldn't get a battery/charger on time for MIL's surprise retirement party Saturday evening. With that event, we wouldn't even be at the house to receive the package so what was the point? I tried to Google audiology clinics open on Saturdays but didn't find anything. I even texted my clinic rep in CA to see what my options were but for the short time I'd be without, there was nothing.
Last option - I reached out on CochlearTown USA's Facebook page: "Anyone in the area that would let me borrow your charger for the day?" What a community!! One person noted I could use someone's battery racks, buy disposables and mail them back (but he wasn't local) and another was willing to overnight something to me but it wouldn't get there in time. A few others simply let me know that they understood what a bummer of a situation I was in. Regardless of having no solution, I felt so supported and understood by a group of people that had never met me!
End story: I didn't have any back up but it actually turned out okay.
My husband let his family know why I was so quiet and he served as my translator. I turned my processors on for the surprise party and they lasted through the whole few hours! I wore them for the ride home and they died about 3 hours before we got home. Not too bad!
Lessons learned:
-Keep battery racks/disposables or car charger while traveling
-Never be afraid to reach out to the community
-It's actually all going to be okay
-Mom-brain is REAL!
