Hearing Health Blog

Photo of hearing aid batteries lasting longer.

The trick to making hearing aids cost effective lies in just one component–the batteries. The cost of replacing them adds up fast and that makes it one of the biggest financial issues when buying hearing aids.

Usually the batteries die at the worst time which is even more distressing. Even for rechargeable brands, this is a huge issue.

There are a few things you can do to increase the life of the batteries in hearing aids, so you don’t have to stop and replace them a few times every week. Make the batteries last just a little bit longer by thinking about these 6 simple ideas.

1. If You’re Looking to Buy a Hearing Aid, be Smart About it

When you first start shopping for your hearing aids is when it all begins. Battery life depends on many factors like features on the hearing aids or quality of the brand. Not every battery is made the same, either. Some cheaper hearing devices have low quality components that work with cheaper cell batteries. You’ll be changing those batteries out a lot, so be certain to talk it over with your hearing specialist.

Make some comparisons as you shop and, also, consider what features are essential for you. Wireless versions have batteries that need replacing twice as fast as models with wires. The larger the hearing aid, the longer the battery life, too. The smaller devices require new batteries every couple of days, but larger models can go for up to two weeks on one set of cells. Get the features you need but understand how each one affects the power usage of the hearing aids.

2. The Hearing Aids Need to be Stored Properly

In most instances, the manufacturer will recommend opening the battery door at night to avoid power drainage. Also, you will want to:

Store your batteries in a cool, dry place. Batteries are adversely affected by high temperature and humidity. The most important thing is to keep them away from heat sources like light bulbs. Room temperature is fine.

Also, a dehumidifier is a smart idea. It’s one of the best ways to protect both the hearing aids and their batteries. Moisture in the air is hard on their fragile components.

3. Take Precautions When Changing the Batteries

Make sure your hands are dry and clean. The life of the battery is negatively impacted by humidity, dirt, and grease. Until it’s time to use the batteries, be sure to keep the plastic tabs on. Modern hearing aid batteries mix zinc with the air to power on. But you want to be ready before that occurs.

After you remove the tab, but before you use them, it’s smart to let them sit out for 5 minutes. The battery could be prolonged by days if you do this.

4. Different Battery Sources And Batteries Can be Experimented with

Quality batteries have a longer life than cheap ones, obviously. Think about not only the brands, though, but what types of hearing aid batteries you’re using and where you purchase them, as well. Big box stores might sell good batteries for less per unit if you buy in bulk.

Be careful if you shop online, particularly from an auction site like eBay. Batteries have an expiration date that they have to be sold by. You shouldn’t use them after they expire.

The easiest way to get batteries at an affordable cost is to ask your hearing care specialist.

5. Accept The Inevitable And be Ready For it

Eventually, the batteries are going to die. If you don’t want to end up in a difficult situation, it’s helpful to get an idea when this will occur. Keep a schedule of when you replace the batteries and when they fizzle. You’ll get an idea of when you need to change them over time.

So you can figure out what features have the biggest affect on the battery and which brand batteries are appropriate for your device, keep a diary.

6. What Are the Alternatives to Batteries

One of the greatest things about modern hearing aids is that some are rechargeable. You might pay a little more for those units, but it will be worth it if you can save money on batteries. Rechargeable batteries are probably the best choice if you need a lot of features such as Bluetooth or wireless.

Hearing aids are a significant investment but so are the batteries that you need to make them work. Extending the life of your batteries and saving money begins with some due diligence. Contact a hearing aid retailer for some information on what option is best for you.

The site information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. To receive personalized advice or treatment, schedule an appointment.
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