Hearing Aid Batteries

Once you receive your hearing aids, the experts at Hearing Health Care take the time to personally demonstrate how your devices work, and most importantly, how to change the batteries. We’re here to help you determine how many batteries to keep on hand and when to place a refill order. Most hearing aids come with disposable batteries, but rechargeable hearing aids are becoming popular as well.

Hearing aids with disposable batteries

Many styles of hearing aids take disposable batteries. It’s easy to remember the size of your hearing aid batteries, just order by color! Yellow batteries are size 10, brown batteries are size 312, orange are size 13 and blue batteries are size 675. The larger the hearing aid battery, the longer it lasts. Disposable hearing aid batteries last from three to 15 days. Generally, the lifespan of the battery depends upon how many hours a day you use your hearing aids, whether you turn them off at night and if you open the battery door overnight. 

These batteries come with a factory-sealed sticker on one side. Don’t peel off the sticker until you’re ready to use the battery because once that sticker is removed, the battery starts draining. These batteries are commonly made of zinc and need at least one minute to activate before being inserted into your hearing aid. 
For the longest battery life, it’s important to avoid moisture. That’s why keeping your hearing aid battery door open overnight is important – it allows moisture to evaporate. Never store your hearing aid batteries in the refrigerator! It does not extend battery life and may reduce their effectiveness. When you carry your spare batteries with you, be sure to keep them in their original package or a battery case so they don’t get lost or rub against coins or keys, which can cause damage. Also avoid storing your hearing aid batteries in extreme temperatures, such as a car’s glove compartment, where they may be damaged or drained.

Changing batteries

You’ll know it’s time to change the batteries when you hear a tone, ding or buzz. It’s important that you make sure you have clean hands before changing the batteries since grease or dirt can transfer to the batteries or hearing aids. It’s best to change your batteries at a table or some other stable place, rather than risk dropping them. Never leave dead batteries in your hearing aids for an extended period. Just like all batteries, expired batteries may swell or leak and cause damage.

Rechargeable batteries

While hearing aids with rechargeable batteries permanently contained within the units are fairly new, rechargeable hearing aid batteries can be removed from the devices and placed in a charger. Both systems typically recharge batteries in three to four hours. These rechargeable batteries are made of silver zinc or lithium ion and with daily charging can last from one to three years.

Just like your cell phone, it’s important not to “overcharge” your rechargeable batteries. As we mentioned earlier, it only takes about three or four hours to charge the batteries for a full day’s operation. Be sure to remove them from the charger once they’re back to full charge.

Today’s hearing aids with rechargeable batteries and smaller and sleeker than their predecessors. For people with arthritis or other physical challenges, rechargeable batteries may make wearing hearing aids easier.

At Hearing Health Care, we’re professional, experienced and dedicated to you. We take time to get to know you, determine your unique needs and find the best technology to match your lifestyle and your budget. Please see us at our Myrtle Beach or Conway locations today.