Oticon Hearing Aid Check

I can’t believe it’s been three years since I got my first pair of hearing aids. I knew I was having a hearing problem because the TV volume was set at ridiculously high levels and I was constantly asking my husband to repeat himself.  And the hearing test confirmed my suspicions. It was also during the height of the pandemic. So I not only had to get used to the idea of wearing the hearing aids, but also getting used to them in a very sheltered environment. Then I had to get used to them again once we began to start living our lives in the outside world. So before the three year warranty expires in October, I got a reminder email that the aids should be brought in for a check, clean up, and for a battery change. The batteries were starting to run low early in the evening. It was the first time I saw the audiologist without a mask. The hearing aids looked good and the battery was changed. I asked about the newest technologies and at this time I am content with the pair that I have until it really becomes necessary to update them. It’s sort of like an iPhone. Unfortunately the ringing in my ears has returned and that may mean they need to be adjusted based on another hearing test - which I may schedule in the fall. I also got another year warranty. The charge for that can also be used to purchase a new pair. Supposedly these Oticon aids last 5-7 years. I’m happy that the battery change made a big difference and that these sorts of devices are available to make life easier. And the best part is that the office is literally right across the street so it couldn’t be any more convenient. 

Eufy Battery Arrived

We have had it for more than three years. Our Eufy iRobot vacuum cleaner has been a wonderful device. It scoots around and under the furniture and picks up dirt and dust that we wouldn’t be able to reach with our traditional machine. So when it started beeping out of no where we didn’t know why. The unit still charged up and worked, but the beeping sound and orange blinking light was weird. So I had a chat with the rep online and she said to take out the battery and put it back. If that didn’t help then the battery would probably need to be replaced. I didn’t really think about the battery as an issue because it’s not readily accessible - and that wasn’t mentioned in the instructions. Of course the first step of removing and replacing the battery didn’t work. So we decided to replace the battery. I also read several battery reviews and they all confirmed the same experience we were having. When the battery arrived we inserted it and recharged the unit. Not only did it stop beeping, the charging color turned to blue again and the run time lasted a lot longer than usual. It would have been a shame to dispose of the unit because it really does the trick in our 1000 square foot unit. These devices really are worth it. 

CVS and Boncare Digital Thermometer and Battery

It’s good to have a working thermometer in the house. But the CVS thermometer battery ran out of juice when my husband wanted to check his temperature the other day after receiving his second covid vaccine. So I got out the tiny screwdriver we have for glasses and opened up the tiny battery compartment. Of course we didn’t have that kind of battery, so we decided it might be a good idea to have battery replacements, but maybe an additional thermometer too. Since I couldn’t read the battery type I needed to get in a close shot of the thing. Of course the batteries were on Amazon, and I also found another digital thermometer from Boncare. Both the replacement batteries and thermometer arrived yesterday. It was easy enough to actually replace the battery and thing was in working order once again. So I think now we will have a thermometer for my husband and one for myself. It’s not such a bad idea. Luckily we don’t have a need for either one of them now. It’s always good to be prepared. 

RAVPower Luster Mini Portable Battery Pack

I’ve always wondered what we would do if we ever ran out of power on our iPhones. I always make sure all the electronics are charged before we go anywhere. And if you are in the car we have the USB port we can use and I always have a charging cord in my purse. But when you aren’t close to home, an outlet, or your car, you are pretty much stuck. And when it’s cold outside the battery tends to last even less. I also take a lot of photos, so my battery runs out faster than my husband’s. So after looking st a few options I finally decided to get a very small pen sized battery pack from RavPower. Of course, it comes from China like most things. (Remember back on the day when everything was made in Japan?) we are generally happy with the products we purchase, and hopefully this one will be no different. I haven’t had an opportunity to try it out yet. All I know is I will have to remember to bring the cord that is used to charge the battery pack, and another one to transfer the power to the phone. Pretty soon I will need a bag just for all the power cords we need for so many devices. The RAVPower Luster Mini portable charger was less than fifteen dollars on Amazon. Let’s hope it works when I need it. 

iPhone Battery and Cold Weather

We walk every morning. And in order to keep my photo blog, Instagram, Facebook art page, and Tumblr site updated I need photographs! So when I pointed and tried to click on a squirrel who was scavenging the garbage can by the American Indian Museum yesterday, my iPhone froze. It's happened before - while the Christmas tree was being unloaded in front of the Capitol - and is very irritating! So I read about it at that time and understood the problem the be the cold weather. And apparently keeping the phone inside your coat pocket isn't good enough. We even had the battery checked at the Apple Store, and it was "okay." So I searched again to see what other factors contribute to reducing battery power and came across an article by David Payette. I read along and followed the instructions to shut off this and that. Someone else suggested that you keep your phone in it's cover/holder - just like wearing a coat. I didn't try taking photos today because it was just too darn cold to move - except to keep walking in three degrees and wind. But when I got home the battery reduced to 67% rather than 2%. Unfortunately I missed the clever squirrrl and am running out of daily photos. So I will need to attempt some new photos and see if these measures really do work. There will be plenty of opportunity over the next many days. I feel like I am living back in the Midwest. Thank goodness we don't have any ice or snow - at the moment. 

Smart Solar Bird Bath Battery Replacement

On our little patio garden is a birdbath nestled in among the hydrangea that are about to bloom, and assorted annuals that are in full bloom - and a digitalis that surprisingly returned this year. We've had the birdbath for quite some time and have replaced the battery pack once for the fountain to work from the solar panel. Since it only bubbles in the sunlight, we decided to get a battery saver option the last go round in case we wanted to hear the gurgling in the later part of the day. We never used it, so when the battery died just a week ago, it seemed much too quiet to go without some kind of replacement. So we ordered up another solar panel and battery pack. It arrived this week and we were eager to test it out. As soon as it hit the sunlight the battery was in motion and waiting to get in to the water. The biggest decision was to figure out which spout we wanted to use - the one stream up or the spray all around. The one stream up looked nice so we'll give it a go. Now this afternoon I need to get out there and whack down all the overgrowth that has taken over the space - the very hot days we've experienced this spring were also unexpected. Everything is so overgrown it's looking a but messy. But it is a lot easier to take care of compared to the one acre, several gardens, and multiple bird baths, houses, and feeders we had in Milwaukee. Things on a smaller scale are looking better and better all the time. Replacing the battery is worth every penny.