Replacing your hearing aid batteries is part of the routine of wearing hearing aids. Here’s everything you need to know about hearing aid batteries.
Standard Hearing Aid Battery Sizes
Hearing aid batteries come in four standardized sizes and are color-coded by size. There may be additional numbers or letters stamped on your batteries but these numbers and letters are not important to read or know. The most important thing to remember is the battery color. Your hearing professional will tell you the battery size and color you need.
Activating Your Hearing Aid Batteries
On the back of each battery is a tab that you remove to activate the battery. This common button battery type is a “Zinc Air” battery. It works by mixing zinc with outside air. Once the tab is removed, the battery is active. Replacing the tab will not restore the battery to inactive status.
Helpful hint:
After you remove the paper tab from the battery, stick it on your calendar to remind yourself when you last changed your batteries.
How to Insert Your Batteries
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Unlock the battery compartment on your hearing aid using your fingernail or provided tool to open the door or “hatch.” You may purchase a small cleaning brush equipped with a magnet on one end. This tool is ideal for handling tiny button batteries.
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Remove the tab from the hearing aid battery to activate the battery. It may take several moments for the battery to reach full power. Do not assume your new battery is dead during its power-up cycle.
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Insert the battery so the beveled edge of the button battery fits snugly in the drawer or opening designed for the battery. If you insert the battery upside down, the battery door will not close.
Care and storage of hearing aid batteries
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Change hearing aid batteries often (approximately every 4-14 days depending on battery size) so they don't suddenly run out of power. Some hearing aids have a feature to alert the hearing aid wearer when batteries need to be replaced. Some hearing aid wearers replace their batteries on a specific day each week to ensure their hearing aids are always at peak performance.
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Switch off your hearing aids when you're not using them. Remove the batteries if you will not be wearing your hearing aids for an extended period of time.
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Battery contacts should be cleaned regularly. Use a cotton swab, taking care not to bend the contacts. Dirty battery contacts can cause improper device function.
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Keep batteries away from pets and small children and dispose of batteries properly. If hearing aid batteries are swallowed, immediately notify the doctor and contact the Poison Control Hotline collect at (202) 625-3333 or (800) 222-1222.
Battery Life
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Battery life depends on how much power the hearing aid requires and the size of the battery. In digital hearing aids, batteries last between 4-14 days. If you experience a shorter battery life, the hearing aid may not be functioning properly and should be evaluated.
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You will know when the battery is exhausted when your digital hearing aid emits a beeping sound or a voice warning. For hearing aids without an automatic low battery warning, consider a battery tester.
Storing spare batteries
Because zinc air batteries become active when you remove the tab, do not store the batteries in warm places. If the adhesive holding the battery tab in place dissolves, the tab may detach and activate the battery. Zinc air batteries stored at room temperature with tabs intact have a shelf life of about three years. Do not store used batteries with fresh batteries.
Disposing of hearing aid batteries
Though it is not illegal in most states to throw hearing aid batteries in the trash, battery users are encouraged to recycle batteries safely to prevent toxic chemicals from entering the environment in landfills. Many hearing aid retailers and clinics offer free battery recycling. Some national chain retailers and county governments also offer recycling programs. Check with your county to find out how to safely dispose of hearing aid batteries. For more information on recycling button batteries, visit The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Web site.
Where to purchase hearing aid batteries
Batteries can be purchased from your hearing professional, from most drug stores and national chain retailers. Some hearing professionals offer loyalty programs or free batteries. To save money when purchasing hearing aid batteries, consider buying them in bulk from battery clubs or from your hearing professional’s loyalty program.
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