Hearing Aid Batteries
It’s important not run out of power. Depending on the type of battery that powers your hearing aids, you need to be prepared for it to be in optimal working condition.
Disposable batteries
In most hearing aids, you’ll hear a low battery beep in your hearing aid when it’s time to change your battery. Otherwise, if your hearing aid goes ‘dead’ the first thing to do is change the battery. Ensure you know the correct size and type of battery for your hearing aid.
Follow these steps to change the battery safely:
- Sit over a table or flat surface while you’re changing the battery. If you do this, and happen to drop the battery, you’ll be able to locate it easily.
- Locate the battery door on your hearing aid and open it. If you have a battery tool (stick with a tiny magnet on one end) in your Hearing Aid Kit, you can use this to push the old battery out. The battery has a flat (positive) side and raised (negative side). You will need to orientate the new battery the correct way when placing it in the battery door.
- Remove a new battery from the battery packet and peel the tab off from the back of the battery. Once the tab is removed, the battery is active. Don’t remove the tab until you’re ready to use the battery.
- Remove the tab and use the battery tool magnet to orientate the fresh battery into the battery door. With the flat side of the battery attached to the magnet, (facing up) place the battery into the battery door. Once in place, pull off the battery tool magnet and close the battery door. If you’ve put the battery in the wrong way, the door won’t close easily. Don’t force it. Take the battery out and replace it correctly.
To get the most life out of your batteries:
- Make sure your batteries are fresh and not past their expiration date. Keep them in a cool dry place.
- Allow the battery to ‘breathe’ for 3-5 minutes after removing the tab – this activates the battery properly.
- Have clean hands when changing the battery to stop grease or dirt from ‘tainting’ the battery.
- Leave the battery door open at night.
- Remove batteries completely if not using the hearing aids for a long period.
You can purchase new batteries from your Hearing Clinic or from your local pharmacy.
In Australia there are no laws regarding safe disposal of hearing aid (button cell) batteries, however they can damage the environment so should be disposed of safely. Ask your Hearing Clinic how they recommend you dispose of your hearing aid batteries. You can support the Australian Battery Recycling Initiative and follow their guidelines for safe recycling of your hearing aid batteries.
Rechargeable batteries
there are a few tricks to ensure you charge your hearing aid correctly and get the most out of your power:
- Put your hearing aid in the charger before you go to bed and you’ll have a full power charge when you wake up in the morning – just like you do with your phone.
- Chargers may vary so check with your clinician the correct way to place your hearing aids in the charger. An indicator light will let you know the battery is charging successfully. The light will change from red to green when your hearing aids are fully charged.
- Different rechargeable batteries will vary on how long you need to charge your hearing aid and how long the charge will last. Some brands will give you up to 30 hours of power, however if you stream with your hearing aids, the charge won’t last that long.
- Store your hearing aids in the charger when not in use to ensure they’ll be powered up ready to go when you next wear them.
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