Hearing aids come in many sizes, and the size of the hearing aid usually dictates the size of the battery. While most hearing aids come with disposable batteries, hearing aids with rechargeable batteries are becoming popular as well. The Hearing House stocks a full line of batteries for all the hearing aids we carry.
Disposable batteries
Disposable hearing aid batteries are made of zinc and come with a factory-sealed sticker on the battery. This sticker should remain on the battery until you’re ready to use it. Once that sticker is removed, the battery begins draining. To use a zinc battery, peel off the sticker and allow the battery to fully activate, which takes at least one minute. Then you can insert the battery into your hearing aid.
Disposable hearing aid batteries are color-coded by size. From small to large, these are red-label size 5, yellow-label size 10, brown-label size 312, orange-label size 13 and blue-label size 675. The most common sized battery used in the U.S. is brown 312.
The size of the battery also dictates its lifespan. Generally speaking, the larger the battery, the longer it lasts. Disposable hearing aid batteries work for three to 15 days, and lifespan also depends upon how many hours a day you wear your hearing aids and whether you turn off your hearing aids at night and open the battery door. It’s best to do so not only to extend battery life, but also to allow any moisture to evaporate overnight.
Contrary to popular belief, storing batteries in the refrigerator does not extend life and may even reduce their effectiveness due to exposure to moisture. Battery life also can be reduced through contact with coins or keys, which may cause damage. It’s important to keep your batteries stored in their original package or a battery case.
Changing batteries
When your batteries are running out of power, you will hear a ding, buzz or tone. That’s the signal that you need to change the batteries. Since this doesn’t always happen at home, keeping a spare set of batteries in your purse or pocket is a good idea. Take care not to store extra batteries in extreme temperatures, such as the heat or cold of a car’s glove box, which may damage or drain them.
Prior to changing your batteries, it’s a good idea to wash your hands so that no grease or dirt is transferred to the batteries or your hearing aids. 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
Rechargeable batteries come in two styles: those fully-contained in the unit and those that are recharged individually in a charger. Both systems typically recharge batteries in three to four hours. With daily charging, rechargeable batteries usually last from one to three years. Rechargeable batteries are made of silver zinc or lithium ion.
In order to get the greatest lifespan from rechargeable batteries, it’s important not to “overcharge” them, or allow them to stay in the charger after they’re back to a full charge. Just like cell phone batteries, continuous charging actually reduces battery life.
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.
When you purchase your hearing aids from the professionals at The Hearing House, you receive free service for the life of your hearing aids. Visit us at one of our four great locations in Neillsville, Wausau, Colby or Marshfield and see why we pride ourselves on old-fashioned service coupled with the latest technology. Give us a call at (715) 406-4300 and make your house a hearing house.