Batteries play a very important role in the life of a hearing aid. Batteries must provide a constant power supply for the hearing aids to operate efficiently and effectively. Read this blog to learn more about hearing aid batteries and how they work.
Zinc air batteries are the most common type of battery for hearing aids on the market today. These batteries need air to activate and provide power.
Once you remove the tab on the battery, you should let it sit for one minute before installing it in your hearing aid. This “rest” time allows air to reach the materials inside the battery and activate them. Batteries may appear dead or under-powered if they are inserted immediately in the hearing aid and not given time to activate. If this happens, remove the battery and allow it to sit for one minute before reinstalling in your hearing aid.
One of the most common questions asked about batteries is, “how long will each battery last?” There are a number of factors that affect how long a hearing aid battery will last:
- Individual’s hearing loss – As the severity of the hearing loss increases, increased amplification is required. This increase generally results in shorter battery life.
- Hearing aid usage – The length and frequency you wear your hearing aid affects the life of your batteries.
- Hearing aid technology – More advanced hearing aids and those with more features require more power.
- Environment – Humid environments can cause swelling or leakage, while low humidity may dry out batteries. Both extremes can result in reduced battery life. In addition, high altitude may cause the battery to reach its endpoint sooner due to reduced oxygen in the environment.
- Temperature – Exposure to low temperatures may reduce battery voltage and life expectancy.
It is important for each wearer to know their hearing aid’s battery life. How do you do so? Track it – it’s simple. Here’s how! On the battery package, record the date you install the battery and the date you remove it. Once all the batteries in the pack are used, you should see a pattern and get a reasonable estimate on how long your batteries will last.
It is recommended to purchase hearing aid batteries from your hearing professional to ensure optimal performance and battery life.
Contact us today if you are in need of a pack of batteries or if you have any questions!
