Modern hearing aids are becoming more advanced than ever before. All of that processing power, along with the added features, can drain your battery faster than ever before as well. A single hearing aid battery will usually last from 3-10 days. You’re exactly right if you think that’s a huge span, from 3 to 10 days. So, why does one hearing aid battery last 3 days and then the next last up to 10 days? The answer is: it depends. It depends on how much you use it and how much streaming you’re doing, as well as how you care for the hearing aid itself.
To maximize the life of your hearing aid batteries and to get the most out of your hearing aid, here are a few things you can do:
- Thoroughly wash hands before changing batteries: Batteries with dirt and grease on them can damage hearing aids and clog the air pores on the hearing aid itself.
- Allow the battery to “breathe”: For 3-5 minutes after pulling the tabs on the battery, allow it to sit prior to placing it into your hearing aid. The materials inside the battery are exposed to air and activated during this “activation” period.
- Utilize a hearing aid dehumidifier: Moisture in your hearing aid AND battery can be absorbed and removed using a hearing aid dehumidifier. This will improve the efficiency of your hearing aid battery. A hearing aid dehumidifier is also the perfect place to store your hearing aids.
- Open the battery door while you're sleeping: By opening the battery door at night (or simply turning it off) it will minimize the battery drain and allow moisture to escape. This will also prevent the battery from suffering corrosion that can damage your hearing aid.
- Find the battery’s expiration date: The batteries that have later expiration dates are the freshest. Time can cause batteries to lose power and drain life just by sitting on a shelf. We recommend buying batteries with an expiration date of at least a year from the time of purchase.
- If the device is not being used, remove the batteries: Should you be going long periods of time without using your hearing aids, remove the battery. This prevents the chance of trapped moisture or corrosion causing damage over time.
- Use oldest batteries first: The furthest expiration dates will be your newest batteries. Make sure to use the oldest batteries first with the closest date on them. This will ensure you’re getting the most life out of all your batteries.
- Don’t remove stickers from the batteries: The batteries have a sticker tab on them which keeps it “fresh”. The battery activates and starts to drain as soon as the sticker is removed. Do not remove these stickers until you’re ready to use the battery.
- Store your batteries in a dry and cool place: Extreme temperatures can cause new, unused batteries to lose power, drain and not last as long as other new batteries.
- Use a hearing device with rechargeable batteries: The rechargeable hearing aids and batteries are quite handy, like our Livio Edge AI hearing aids. Much like a cell phone or laptop, these new rechargeable hearing aid batteries allow you to charge them at night so you can start your day with full batteries. This technology is available in a variety of styles, including the world’s first ever custom rechargeable hearing aids that are custom molded to your unique ear shape and provides up to 24 hours of power in a single charge!
Talk to your hearing health professional if you’re interested in trying out this new technology.
We rely heavily on our hearing aid batteries, for sure! So, in closing we’d like to leave you with a list of things you should and should not do. (Especially during these times when it’s not as easy to get out and get new batteries).
Should Do:
- After you pull the tab off of new batteries, let them rest for a minute or so before placing them into your hearing aid.
- If your hearing aid gets wet, throw your battery away!
- Always carry extra batteries with you.
- After taking your hearing aids off, open the battery doors (especially at night).
- Check your batteries often with a battery tester.
Should Not Do:
- You should not store your batteries in the bathroom or refrigerator.
- You should not remove the sticker tab until you’re ready to use the battery.
- You should not store or leave batteries in any place accessible to children or pets, due to the swallow risk.
- You should not store your hearing aid with batteries in them for long periods of time.
- You should not ignore the expiration date when purchasing batteries. (In other words, always check the dates!)
For more hearing aid battery tips, reach out to your hearing professional! If you’re in need of a new hearing care provider, just call (888) 919-6824 or click here, and we can help find one near you!