Q. Shalom U'Bracha Kevod HaRav! What's the Halacha about wearing hearing aids on Shabbos? And next week that Shabbos is Erev Pesach -The batteries don't last long, how can the person who wears it read and explain the Hagada if one can hardly hear?
A. On question 1126 regarding hearing aids on Shabbos we wrote: "Igrois Moishe (O.H. 4: 85) permits the use of a hearing aid, since in reality the melocho is not done by the hard of hearing, but by the one who addresses him, and he is “eino mechaven” (does it without intention). Igrois Moishe maintains that it is not an unavoidable melocho (psik reisha), prohibited also when done without intention, since the hard of hearing may not even be listening.
Shemiras Shabbos Kechichoso (34: 28), quoting Minchas Shlomo, permits using a hearing devise when it was left on before Shabbos. He also permits adjusting the volume when necessary.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that when possible it should be done with a shinui or using an unusual way for accomplishing the task, such as the back of the finger or the knuckles."
If the hearing aid uses replaceable batteries, depending on their size, they can last from three days to a month. Therefore, when needed they should be replaced before Shabbos followed by Yom Tov.
Rechargeable hearing aids with a full charge, can at the best last up to about 25 hours of use.
The Rov, in case of great need would permit to recharge on the second day Yom Tov, with a shinui (unusual way of connecting it) or asking a Gentile to do it.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a
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