Classic Hearing Aid Batteries, What to Know
If you wear hearing aids, you will already know that they require batteries in order to work. Traditionally, aids require small button-type batteries that need to be changed regularly. However, there is now a wide variety of batteries and rechargeable hearing aids available, giving wearers a bigger and better choice of what works best for them.
Rechargeable Batteries
For hearing aids that come with rechargeable lithium batteries, these require charging at night, or they can be charged any time when they are not being worn. These are mainly available for hearing aids that are worn behind the ear. Similar to smart phones, they need to be charged in order to work and will let you know when they are running low. A typical overnight charge should last for all of the following day. However, there are some drawbacks. For example, if you use Bluetooth regularly, this can wear the battery down quickly. Moreover, if you forget to charge them or there is a power supply problem or a problem with the socket, you could wake up to find yourself without your hearing aids for a while.
The Nexus HP App Controlled Hearing Aid is a Bluetooth app-controlled, self-adjusting, rechargeable hearing device. It is particularly suited to anyone who enjoys different listening environments, including large crowds, as well as more intimate occasions. This Receiver-In-Canal (RIC) model offers a fuller and cleaner sound, and the advanced directional dual microphone speech processing feature helps with environments where there is a lot of noise at a high level - for example, a concert or a busy restaurant.
Disposable Batteries
Many people who wear a hearing aid still rely on traditional batteries, which are sometimes known as zinc-air batteries. These come with a sealed sticker, which keeps the batteries inactive until the sticker is peeled. Other batteries, such as Rayovac Pro Line Advanced Hearing Aid Batteries, are popular as they offer long-lasting power, even when using wireless streaming.
Battery Sizes
Different hearing aids require different sized batteries. As you would expect, the larger the hearing aid, the larger the battery that is required. Many battery manufacturers color code their batteries based on their size to make selection easier for their customers. For example, the Rayovac 675 Batteries are color-coded blue, in line with other 675 size hearing aid batteries.
Battery Life
Non-rechargeable, standard hearing aid batteries can last for anywhere from 5 to 14 days, depending on the size of the battery and the power required by the aid. The Rayovac Pro Line Advanced is produced with Active Core Technology, which provides power on demand and is a great choice for hearing aid wearers with active lifestyles who enjoy spending days outdoors or time away from home and don’t want to be worried that their aid is going to run out of battery power.
Getting the most out of your hearing aid battery
There are no magic solutions to getting more power from your battery, but there are some simple ways of extending your hearing aid battery’s lifespan. First, you should always turn your hearing aid off overnight or when you're not wearing it. Keep the battery compartment open and exposed to the air when not in use as this will help dry any moisture from the day’s wear.
Always make sure you have a supply of spare batteries and ensure that they are stored at room temperature. Don’t keep them in a bathroom or any other humid environment as this can affect the quality of the battery and shorten the battery's life.
When traveling or going out for the day, it is a good idea to take spare batteries with you just in case. However, you should make sure they are packed correctly and not loose in a pocket or purse. Be sure to keep them away from other metal objects, such as money or keys, as this can affect the batteries' performance.
Safety
If you share your home with young children, vulnerable adults or pets, make sure you keep the batteries stored in a dry, airtight box out of reach. Accidently swallowing a battery can have extremely serious consequences. If you think someone may have swallowed your hearing aid battery, always ensure they get medical attention urgently.
Recycling old batteries
Remember to keep your old, used batteries and take them to your nearest battery recycling center when you can. Many hearing aid centers now offer this service, and it means the batteries don’t end up in the waste system.
