Carrying a Hearing Aid
Question
A person has a hearing aid inserted in his ear whose battery has run out. Seemingly, it is muktzeh because of a prohibition, and he is permitted to walk with it to a secure place, since it was inserted in his ear. But if he continues walking with it in his ear, he may lose it, since he cannot hear. Is it permitted to transfer it from his ear to his hand and thus walk with it to a secure place? Especially if we assume that an object whose normal manner is to be carried with the body may not be carried with the body.
If so, even when the device was inserted in his ear, it is as though he was holding it in his hand; therefore, when he removes it from his ear and continues to hold it in his hand, it is considered as still being in his hand.
If so, even when the device was inserted in his ear, it is as though he was holding it in his hand; therefore, when he removes it from his ear and continues to hold it in his hand, it is considered as still being in his hand.
Answer
Shalom u’vracha
Indeed, there is no difference between carrying the device in the ear and carrying it in the hand.
Therefore, if he wishes to take it in his hand to a secure place, it is permitted.
Comments
Have an additional question on this topic or need clarification? Leave your comment below. (Please note that the comment will not be published but will be sent directly to the answering Rabbi for review and a private response)
