Hearing Aid Battery FAQs

When your audiologist prescribes hearing aids to you as part of your hearing care, you may be overwhelmed by a whole world of questions. Not only do you need to know how to use these strange new devices, but you need to know how to take care of them and how to look after the batteries. This is a whole lot of information that you have to absorb, mainly as no two hearing aid batteries are the same. They all come in a variety of sizes and colors, and manufacturers have color-coded batteries to make things simpler. Below, you'll find several frequently asked questions that are common for those who now have hearing aid batteries to care for.

Where can I buy new hearing aid batteries?

Most of the time, your appointment that talks you through how to care for your hearing aids will mean your audiologist giving you a list of manufacturers that sell your particular battery brand. Otherwise, you can find bulk packages of your specific hearing aid batteries at large superstores.

How long do hearing aid batteries last?

Mostly, hearing aid batteries last anywhere between three and ten days. However, this will depend on the size of the batteries and what they're used for. Your battery will have a sticker tab over them, and they are not activated until this sticker is removed. Once the air hits the battery, the battery is activated and starts to be used. The best thing that you can do is wait until your hearing aid battery needs changing before you take the tab off of it. Leave the battery to activate for 30 seconds, and then put it into your hearing aid.

How do I take care of my hearing aid batteries?

When you are storing hearing aid batteries, they need to be at room temperature. Some online hacks will tell you to make them last, that you should put them in the refrigerator. Hearing aid batteries should not be subjected to extreme temperatures, whether hot or cold. You should try to keep them away from humid places, like shower rooms and hot rooms, and you should also avoid carrying them in a wallet or purse. When your batteries come into contact with other metal objects – like coins – they can short circuit.

What do I do if my child/pet swallows a battery?

Batteries will leak when punctured, but hearing aid batteries are incredibly small. So, while they may not leak fluid, they will still be a hazard in small throats. Your pet or child could end up with burns due to electrical current, and the best thing to do is to head to the local vet hospital/emergency room to get the right help.

I put in a new battery, but it's not working

There are a lot of reasons that your hearing aids may not work despite you adding a new battery. These include:

• The battery has not had enough time to activate before being put into the hearing aid
• The surface of the battery is broken or dented
• The battery is dead. This can happen, even with brand new batteries, but it is rare.
• There is dirt on the hearing aid battery; there could be dirt inside it which has disrupted the circuitry
• The battery is the wrong size so cannot fit inside the cavity for the hearing aid

All of these reasons for the battery not working can be overcome, so call your audiologist if you are concerned and they will be able to advise you on what to do.

How should I store my batteries?

Hearing aid batteries should never be kept any colder or hotter than room temperature. Humidity and heat is not the right environment, and too much exposure to cold can cause a short circuit. You should keep your hearing aid batteries away from other metals too; otherwise you could risk it going dead without you getting the chance to use it.

How can I safely dispose of my hearing aid batteries?

You wouldn't throw your household batteries away without caution, so you should consider your hearing aid batteries and the way that you treat them. They are a hazard when thrown in the regular trash, so you need to recycle your hearing aid batteries correctly. Your audiologist will be able to advise you on how best to do this, and they can give you leaflets about the best battery recycling centers around.

If you have more questions about your hearing aid batteries, consider calling Clifton Springs Hearing Center at this phone number: 315-496-4314 today.