Today most popular disposable hearing aid batteries are mercury-free or zinc-air, characterized by a longer service life, whereas in the past years mercury and zinc batteries were primarily used
Zinc-air battery
As the name implies, Zinc-air battery uses oxygen as an active ingredient. When the protective tab being removed, air penetrates the casing through holes on the battery surface and reacts with the contained zinc to produce zinc oxide. The result of this chemical reaction is energy, accounting for the necessary current of the power supply.
Battery types, sizes, and lifespan
Standard hearing aid batteries last anywhere from 3 days to 3 weeks depending on the type of hearing aid, the battery type and capacity, how frequent or extensive the hearing aid is used. If the hearing aid is being used daily or used with streaming from other devices via Bluetooth, the battery drains more quickly.
Statistic studies show on average:
|
Size & color |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Hearing aid types |
Mini RIC CIC IIC |
BTE ITE |
Power BTE |
|
|
Battery lifespan |
3 – 7 days |
3 – 10 days |
6 – 14 days |
9 -20 days |
Maximizing disposable battery life expectancy
After the protective seal remove from a battery, it begins to discharge power. There are things you can do to minimize battery drainage:
-
Use fresh/new package battery
don’t overstock batteries since power diminishing as time passes. Package of batteries with old expiration date will have much less power than batteries with newer expiration date
-
Remove protective tab only when ready to use
since air is the ingredient that activate the zinc chemical reaction for the battery becomes active. Reapplying the protective tab will have no effect on the active result nor will it stop the current from drainage.
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5 minutes rule
After removing the protective tab, avoid placing the battery into the hearing aid immediately. Utilizing the few minutes delay will enable the air to fully activate the battery, expanding its life for several more days.
-
Store batteries and hearing aids at room temperature
usually considered to be at 68 to 77°F (20 to 25°C). Extreme hot or cold temperature can quickly drain battery power and shorten a battery’s lifespan.
-
Turn hearing aid off
when not in used. Due to the zinc-air nature, the battery will stay active; but it helps to ensure the power draw is as low as possible.
-
Leave battery door open or Remove battery from hearing aid completely
when hearing aid is not used for an extended period will allow moisture to escape and to help keep the battery from corroding.
-
Avoid disposable batteries from getting in contact with other metal objects
as it can short-circuit the battery.
-
Use hearing aid dry box or dehumidifier
helps securing your hearing aids at night while remove moisture to prevent residue built up that may cause internal corrosion.
-
Cleaned hands
before changing batteries will prevent contaminations, such as grease and dirt, that are bad and will most likely affect the quality performance of the battery and the hearing aid.
When hearing aid batteries need changing
Depending on how the hearing aid is being used, frequent and/or extensive. Hearing aid battery should be changed when either of these conditions occur:
- Sound diminished, sound distorted and/or no sound at all.
- In some hearing aid models, the “low-battery” beep or voice sound comes on, indicating that the battery is getting low and should be changed.
- If hearing aid has Bluetooth function which failed to connect is a signal for low/drained battery that needs replacement.
Proper disposal of hearing aid batteries
To ensure safety of young children and pets, it is important to secure the used/dead hearing aid batteries in a child/pet-proof containing materials immediately. It is best to dispose all types of hearing aid batteries at the battery recycling center or any hearing aid centers to prevent environmental pollution.
Hearing aid that best fit your lifestyle, your choice
Disposable batteries may cost less to buy, but most likely it would be more expensive in the long run, as it depends on how the hearing aid is used, battery will need frequent replacement.
Increasing in popularity is the rechargeable hearing aids which might require higher initial cost; however, a rechargeable hearing aid is more convenient and easier to use especially to users with dexterity and poor vision. For people who highly value the ease-of-use and the environmental impact, prefer rechargeable hearing aids, this option has a well-rounded benefit.
Are you ready to embrace the joy of wearing the rechargeable hearing aids? Check out Luxato rechargeable hearing aids, we hope with our current products offering will help you get start on your hearing gain journey, preparing you for the festivity celebration of the soon approaching holiday season! Having the ability to hear the joy from laughter of your loved ones is the best gift! Luxato loves to deliver such happiness package and because you deserved it!
