Some of the most common questions we get ask have to do with hearing aid batteries. Here are answers to our most frequently asked questions:
How long should batteries last? This answer depends on a couple of things. First off, hearing aid batteries come in 5 sizes, but 90% of hearing aids use either a size 10 (yellow package) or size 312 (brown package.) As a rule of thumb, the bigger the battery, the longer it will last. While battery consumption will also depend on the number of hours used during a day, as well as connectivity to streamers, cell phones, etc., for the most part you can expect 5-7 days out of a size 10 battery and 7-10 out of a 312 battery. If you find that your hearing aid is consuming batteries in 2-3 days, make sure that you are opening the battery door at night to turn it off while you sleep. If that is not the problem, schedule an appointment with your Spanish Fork or American Fork audiologist to have the aid looked at.
How can I extend the life of my batteries? Like we mentioned above, the easiest thing to do is to open the aid every night to “turn it off”. Also, one simple tip is to let the battery “breathe” for 60 seconds when removing the sticker before you put it in the hearing aid. This will allow the battery to activate completely. Also, make that the sticker stays on until you are ready for the battery. Once the sticker is removed, the battery begins to lose energy whether it is in the aid or not.
Should I store the batteries in the freezer? This is a myth that has been scientifically disproven. This doesn’t help the battery to keep its energy at all and can make the stickers detach which will actually decrease battery life.
How do I dispose of hearing aid batteries? We have had multiple patients bring us in Ziploc baggies full of dead batteries. They are shocked when we just throw them in the trash. Because they go into the landfill, the mercury was removed from them years ago. Just go ahead and throw them away—they can’t be reused.
