Hearing Aid Batteries
Battery Life
How long should your batteries last?
Each person has a unique hearing loss “fingerprint.” No one fingerprint will be exactly alike, so no one person will have the exact same battery life as another.
The best way to get a good estimate on what your battery life should be is for you to test the battery. Write down the date you put in the battery and when you take it out. Once you have used all of the batteries in the package, you should be able to have an estimate of how long your battery will last.
Factors That Affect Battery Life
Individual’s Hearing Loss
As severity increases, increased amplification is required. This causes an increase in the current, which reduces battery life. Therefore, the more severe of a hearing loss a person has, the shorter the battery life. Also, hearing loss can be worse in one ear. That means you shouldn't expect equal battery life for each hearing aid.
Individual’s Hearing Aid Usage
Most people refer to days when referencing battery life, but what is the definition of “a day” to each person? Some people only wear their aids 4 hours a day, while others wear them 16 hours a day. “Hours” is a more accurate way to calculate battery life.
The Hearing Instrument Itself
The more advanced the aid is, the more power is required. This concept is similar to a cell phone. The more features you use on your phone (internet, apps, games, movies, etc.), the faster the battery dies. New hearing instrument accessory items also put more drain on the hearing aid battery.
Environment Humidity
As humidity is reduced, batteries may dry out, thus reducing the battery life. This can be an issue if you are indoors during the winter months in northern climates, use a wood-burning stove to heat your home, or keep batteries in a dry-aid kit in an already dry environment.
Temperature
As temperature is reduced, hearing aid battery voltage is lowered, which reduces battery life.
Altitude
At higher altitudes, the percentage of oxygen in the air is reduced, lowering the hearing aid battery voltage. This can cause the battery to reach its endpoint earlier.
Personal Environment
The noise around you can affect battery life. A battery will drain less in a library than in a restaurant or at a rock concert. Turning up the volume on your hearing instrument in a noisy setting can prematurely drain the battery.
Battery Tips
Store your batteries at room temperature. Batteries should not be carried loose in your pocket or purse, and should not be stored out of the package. If a battery inadvertently comes into contact with metal objects such as coins, keys or other batteries, the battery may short out, leak or, in rare incidences, rupture. Store and discard batteries in places that cannot be reached by infants or children.
Zinc air batteries use air as a source of power, and the tab provides a seal that ensures freshness until the battery is ready for use. To activate the battery, simply remove the tab, wait one minute to allow air to activate the ingredients, and insert the battery into your hearing aid.
Just like fresh vegetables are better than canned, a fresh battery is better than an aged battery. When batteries sit on a shelf or in a warehouse, they slowly lose their energy. Temperature fluctuations and the slow seepage of air into the battery are some of the factors that can affect the life of the battery while it sits. Always look at the best-before date before purchasing batteries.
For answers to questions regarding hearing aids, hearing loss or hearing aid batteries, please contact your local Costco Hearing Aid Centre.