As an Audiologist we do hearing aid fittings on a daily basis and the reaction when discussing the lifespan of hearing aid batteries is always the same. People are very shocked to hear that most hearing aid batteries will not last longer than two weeks. Due to the advancement in hearing aid features, battery usage will increase with the increasing processing of the hearing aids.
Hearing aid batteries come in different sizes due to different power needs and features. The size of hearing aids are largely dependent on the degree of the hearing loss and the power the hearing aid must provide. Larger hearing aids require larger batteries and visa versa. The average lifespan of hearing aid batteries is as follows:
- Size 10 – three to seven days
- Size 312 – three to 10 days
- Size 13 – six to 14 days
- Size 675 – nine to 20 days
There are a few variables that may have an effect on the lifespan of hearing aid batteries like the amount of hearing aid use, streaming and how you take care of your hearing aids. Therefore it is difficult to provide a patient with the precise lifespan of their hearing aid batteries.
While there are no definite way of prolong battery life, thanks to Starkey’s blog post we have a few tips that can be incorporated into your everyday routine to prolong battery life.
- Let the battery “breathe” for 3-5 minutes. After removing the tab (sticker) from the battery, let the battery sit for 3-5 minutes before installing it in your hearing aid. This “activation” time allows air to reach all the materials inside the battery and activate them completely.
- Wash your hands thoroughly before changing batteries. Grease and dirt on the batteries may damage the hearing aid. Also, grease and dirt can clog up the air pores in the battery.
- Open the battery door at night. When you’re not wearing your hearing aid, turn it off or open the battery door to minimize battery drain. Leave the battery compartment of your hearing device open at night so moisture can escape. Doing so will keep the battery from corroding and damaging the hearing aid.
- Use a hearing aid dehumidifier.A hearing aid dehumidifier will help absorb moisture out of your hearing aid and battery. This will allow the battery power to be used more efficiently. The dehumidifier is also a great place to store your hearing aids.
- Remove the batteries entirely if you won’t be using the device for an extended period of time. This also helps to avoid corrosion and damage from trapped moisture.
- Check the expiration date on the batteries. The further out the batteries are, the fresher they are. Over time, batteries will drain slightly while sitting on the shelf. Ideally, you should buy batteries that have an expiration date a year or further from your purchase date.
- Use the oldest pack of batteries first. The newest packs will have the furthest expiration date than your older packs of batteries. You want to ensure that you use the oldest batteries first, so that you are getting the most life out of them.
- Keep the stickers on the battery. The sticker tab on the battery keeps the battery “fresh.” As soon as the sticker is removed, the battery is activated and starts draining. You want to make sure you don’t peel the sticker tab off until you need to use that battery.
- Keep the batteries in a cool dry place. Storing new, unused batteries in extreme temperatures can cause the battery to drain/have a shorter life. Therefore never place hearing aid batteries in the refrigerator or in direct sunlight.
- Batteries shouldn’t be carried loose in pockets, a purse or a backpack. The battery may come into contact with other metal objects like coins or keys that can short-circuit the battery.
For more information about hearing aid batteries and to purchase the perfect battery for your hearing aid visit Your Hearing today!