Hearing Aid Battery FAQs

Hearing aids can be genuinely life-transforming devices, but for them to function correctly, most users will need to become accustomed to handling, using, and preserving their hearing aid batteries. To help you achieve this goal, below, we’ve sought to answer the most common questions users have about their batteries.

How can I make my hearing aid batteries last for longer?

There are a few tricks you can try to optimize the life of your batteries, included:

• Always switch your hearing aids off when you are not using them
• At night, open the battery compartment of your hearing aid to allow any moisture that may have accumulated to escape
• When you remove the tab, leave the battery open to the air for around five minutes rather than inserting it into your hearing aid immediately
• Clean your hearing aid after each use.

Why do hearing aid batteries have a tab on them?

Most hearing aid batteries are known as zinc-air batteries, which means they rely on a chemical reaction between the air and the zinc contained within the battery. The tab is designed to ensure this reaction does not commence until the battery is ready to be used.

Due to the above, it is essential only to remove the tab from a zinc-air battery when you intend to use it imminently. If you buy batteries and notice that a tab is missing or has been displaced, request a replacement as soon as possible.

Does replacing the tab when a hearing aid is not in use make the battery last longer?

No; when the zinc-air chemical reaction begins, it cannot be halted by replacing the tab.

How long do hearing aid batteries last?

The longevity of a hearing aid battery depends on several factors, including how often the battery is in use and the manufacturer of the battery, but perhaps the biggest indicator is size. Hearing aids are available in the following different sizes, which are listed from smallest to largest:

• Size 10 (yellow)
• Size 312 (brown)
• Size 13 (orange)
• Size 675 (blue)

As one might expect, the larger the battery, the longer it is likely to last – for example, a 675 blue-colored battery can last for up to 20 days, whereas smaller batteries such as a Size 10 battery may only last for around a week.

What size of battery do I need for my hearing aid?

The battery size you require will depend on the type of device you have. Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids tend to use larger batteries, while more discrete devices, such as in-the-canal (ITC) or completely-in-canal (CIC) hearing aids will use smaller batteries.

Due to the above, it is worth keeping potential battery life in mind when choosing which style of hearing aid you wish to use.

How can I know when my hearing aid batteries need to be changed?

Some types of hearing aids will begin to emit a series of beeps when the battery is running low. If you hear this noise on your own device, make the change as soon as possible. Not only do batteries tend to lose power very quickly when they begin to fade, but a fully-discharged battery can also swell and thus become difficult to remove.

If you use hearing aids that do not have a low battery indicator, the most common sign to listen out for is sudden sound distortion or a reduction in volume. However, sometimes sound distortion or volume issues can be the result of a fault rather than a loss of power; if you switch to a new battery and the problem persists, contact your audiologist for further advice.

How should hearing aid batteries be disposed of?

Look for a local collection point that accepts discharged batteries wherever possible; these are often found in grocery stores or pharmacies.

How should I store my spare hearing aid batteries?

• Spare batteries should be kept in their packaging until they are ready to be used.
• Store batteries (and their packaging) at room temperature in a dry, secure space where pets or children can not access them.
• If you want to carry spare batteries with you during the day, then avoid storing them alongside metal objects such as keys or loose change, as doing so can cause the battery to short-circuit. Instead, use a protective container that is kept in a separate section of your bag.

Hopefully, the above will have answered any questions you may have had related to hearing aid batteries.

If you are curious to learn more about Audiology and Hearing Aid Center and the batteries we offer, call our office at (920) 486-6922 today.