Tips for Extending Hearing Aid Battery Life

One of the most common questions audiologists are asked is how long hearing aid batteries are supposed to last and if it’s possible to increase their lifespan. There are a few things you can’t change when it comes to how long batteries last – for instance, the size of the batteries, their age, your degree of hearing loss, how heavily they’re used and some environmental conditions. On the other hand, there may be things you’re doing (or not doing) that further shorten the life of your hearing aid batteries.

Even if it seems like your batteries die faster than they should, you won’t really know without a point of reference. On average, a hearing aid battery can last anywhere from five to 14 days when used for 16 hours a day. This range varies greatly based on battery size:

• Size 10 – three to seven days
• Size 312 – three to 10 days
• Size 13 – six to 14 days
• Size 675 – nine to 20 days

If it turns out your batteries are consistently dying faster than they should, ask yourself the following questions to determine if it’s a care or quality issue.

1.     Are you leaving the batteries in overnight or when not in use?

Hearing aid experts recommend taking batteries out of your hearing aid and storing them in a cool, dry location overnight. This lets the compartment and batteries air out from any moisture that may have accumulated during the day, which could shorten their lifespan.

If you’d rather not remove them, at least leave the compartment door open.

2.     Are you turning off your hearing aid when it’s not being used?

Any time you can turn off your hearing aid when you’re not using it will help batteries last that much longer.

3.     Are you storing them in a place that’s excessively moist or hot?

Storage conditions aren’t just important for your current battery, but also unused ones. Storing them where they can be exposed to heat (through the window of your vehicle, for instance) or moisture (in the bathroom) can significantly decrease their lifespan. Always choose a dry place that’s room temperature.

4.     Are you storing them where they can contact metal objects?

Don’t store batteries loosely in pockets, purses or backpacks because they might contact coins, keys and other metal objects and short circuit.

5.     Are you correcting feedback issues?

Feedback is another troubleshooting issue will quickly drain your batteries, so it’s important to get to the source of the problem and correct it as soon as possible.

6.     Are you correctly handling zinc-air batteries?

Zinc-air batteries get their name from how they’re activated. When their sticker is removed, they react with the air and start functioning. It’s important not to remove the stickers too soon or store this type of battery in a place (like the refrigerator) where moisture can get under the sticker and activate them. 

While you may not be able to control your dependency on hearing aid batteries, the way you take care of them can either shorten or lengthen their lifespan, saving you money and time. If you have any further questions about your hearing aid batteries, don’t hesitate to contact your audiologist for further insight and advice.