When it comes to looking after your hearing aid, you need to understand more about its batteries and how to get the most out of them. If your batteries aren’t performing, your hearing aid won’t perform well either. To help you out, we’ve put together a list of FAQs relating to hearing aid batteries so you’ll never be left in the dark. Read on to find the answers to the most commonly asked questions.
What are the various sizes of hearing aid batteries?
There are four standard sizes when it comes to hearing aid batteries. There’s size 10, size 13, size 312 and size 675. You should talk to your audiologist about which you need for your hearing aid when you’re going through the process of having it fitted for the first time. If you’ve already done that and you’re not sure, you can always call your audiologist or search on the internet. They’re all color-coded too: size 10 is yellow, size 312 is brown, size 13 is orange and size 675 is blue.
How do you get the most out of hearing aid batteries in terms of performance?
There are lots of things you can do to ensure your hearing aid batteries perform to the highest possible standards. For most people, this will mean keeping moisture away from the battery air holes and away from the device in general. You should also make sure that you always switch off your hearing aid when you’re not using it because that can make a big difference. If you do ever get the hearing aid wet and you think it might have reached the batteries, dry them as soon as you can.
How long do hearing aid batteries generally last?
Of course, it’s hard to say exactly how long your hearing aid batteries will last because there are several factors that will impact that. For a start, the model of hearing aid you use will have an impact on how long it lasts, as well the number of hours per day you spend using your hearing aids. If you use them for streaming, this will dramatically reduce the lifespan of the batteries, so that should always be taken into account.
Should I use rechargeable batteries?
Rechargeable batteries are much more cost effective for many people, especially if you’re someone who needs to use your hearing aids a lot throughout the day. You want to make sure that you don’t have to be spending money on new batteries all the time and heading out to buy new ones when you have better things to be doing. That’s why rechargeable batteries are so appealing. You can simply charge them overnight or when you’re not using your hearing aids.
Why might my hearing aid batteries not be working?
There’s a variety of reasons why your hearing aid batteries might not be working for you as they should. To begin with, you should look if they’ve been activated by removing the tab. You might also find that a dented surface on the battery might negatively impact performance. It could also be the case that you’re using the wrong batteries or they’re faulty and arrived not adequately charged. That last example is rare, but it does sometimes happen.
How should hearing aid batteries be stored?
If you’re storing your hearing aid batteries outside of the device before using them, you should keep them at room temperature. That’s between 10 and 25 degrees Celsius. Somewhere in the middle of that range is the best option in most cases. You certainly shouldn’t store them in a refrigerator because they’ll be too cold, condensation can form when removed and their performance will ultimately be damaged. You should also do your best to keep them away from other metal objects to avoid short circuits.
What are the air holes in hearing aid batteries for?
The power of the battery is determined, to some extent, by the design of the electrodes and this is linked to the air holes that are found on the battery. You should keep these clean and don’t allow moisture to reach them if you can help it. Even if it might not look like it, these air holes are essential to the functioning of your hearing aid batteries.
Visit San Francisco Hearing Center if you want help with anything relating to your hearing aid or its batteries. We’ll be more than happy to book an appointment for you and find the best solution for your specific needs.
