Let us share a story with you, recently one of our staff members Ellie was exercising and her Bluetooth headphones stopped working because the battery died. She was about 15 minutes from home, and she had to run the whole way without any music to motivate her. This may not have been the struggle of the century, but it was inconvenient. When she shared the embarrassing story with the rest of the team, it got us thinking about how many portable technology devices need a reliable power source to fulfil their function. Hearing aids, for example, need a strong power source to work to the best of their ability for the person wearing them. When hearing aid batteries aren’t working as well as they could, it can lead to devices dropping out with little warning.
Many clients ask us how they can ensure that their hearing aid batteries last, or how they can extend the life of their batteries. We hear you, and we are here to help! Stretching the life of your hearing aid batteries could save you both time and money. If you can get a couple of extra days out of each battery, that’s a decent amount saved through the course of a year. So, we have put together a list of several things you can do to enhance the life of your hearing aid batteries. By making a few small changes, you could see the difference in the life of your batteries straight away.
- Keep your battery supply fresh.
Hearing aid batteries unopened in the packaging can last for several years. Unfortunately, like all batteries, power is diminished as each year passes. Keeping a fresh and new supply of batteries in case of emergency is always a good idea. Have a spare set in your car, or your bag just in case! Hearing aid batteries last longer in an unopened packet than those kept in an opened pack. Zinc-air batteries (the type of batteries hearing aids use) are activated by air, so those kept in a sealed container will hold their power longer.
Most manufactures will specify the life cycle and calendar life of their batteries, and you can find this information on the packet.
- When not using your aids for a prolonged period, remove the batteries. When not using your hearing aids for a short period, keep the battery door open to avoid battery drainage.
If you have ever found an old piece of technology like a film camera or remote control and opened the battery compartment to find corroded batteries, you know how destructive batteries can be if they’re not cared for properly. If you don’t plan on using your hearing aids for a while, we recommend you remove the batteries completely. This will help prevent corrosion from collected moisture within the hearing aids and keep them in tip-top shape. Happy batteries equal happy hearing aids.
When you are not using your hearing aids for a few hours or at night, we recommend you open the battery door to avoid draining the battery unnecessarily. So, when you go to sleep and if you use hearing aids which take disposable batteries, start getting into the habit of opening the battery doors completely before you go to bed. We also recommend you store your aids in a clean, dry place. Avoid keeping them in the bathroom overnight. The temperature changes and dampness can be hazardous to the batteries. Your bedside table is normally the safest place for your hearing aids.
- Keep your batteries at a comfortable temperature.
Just like Goldilocks, your hearing aid batteries like their temperature kept not too hot or not too cold. Temperature is one of the most influential factors in battery performance. Li-ion and zinc-air batteries are typically happiest around room temperature. In warmer climates, a protective layer inside the batteries breaks and needs to be reconstructed which sucks up some of the power of the battery, draining the life span. In colder temperatures, the chemical reactions inside the batteries slow down. Slower reactions cause the power to drain and shorten the capacity of the battery. As a general rule, cold is usually less harmful than heat.
A solution to battery drain in the colder months is to store your hearing aids somewhere where they won’t get too cold when they’re not in use. When you’re out and about make sure you carry a spare packet of batteries with you in case of an emergency. When possible cover your ears when you’re out and about with a funky hat or fluffy ear warmers – this will keep the chill from reaching your aids.
If you have any questions about your hearing aid batteries, or would like to explore the option of rechargeable hearing aids, give us a call on 8331 8047 to book a FREE 30 day trial of new technology.
