Do you have a hearing aid? If so, you’ve probably noticed that the batteries don’t last as long as they used to. That’s because technology keeps getting better and better. Rechargeable batteries are now available for many different types of hearing aids. They can be recharged hundreds of times, which means fewer trips to the store to buy new ones!
The best part is that rechargeable batteries are often included with your purchase when you get a new hearing aid. You won’t even need to worry about buying them separately until it’s time for replacements. When it does come time for replacements, though, there’s no reason not to choose rechargeables again. They’re more convenient than ever before and will save you money in the long run by eliminating those pesky battery purchases altogether.
Many of the latest models come with rechargeable lithium ion batteries that are usually recharged at night when a wearer takes out their hearing aid to sleep. So far this has only been available for behind the ear styles of hearing aids but soon we will have them in all sizes and shapes including custom ones made by your own preference.
Some of the rechargeable hearing aid brands that we carry are Oticon, Widex, Phonak, Starkey and ReSound.
Zinc-air button disposable batteries, also referred to as “button batteries,” are the other common option for hearing aid batteries. These batteries come pre-packaged with a factory sealed sticker that activates when peeled off. Once oxygen interacts with the zinc in these batteries, they produce enough energy to power most electronics for their lifetime.
To get the best performance from a zinc-air battery, let it rest for one minute before using it. Take note that after removing the sticker, replacing it will not affect any power level; once you’ve peeled off the sticker, the battery is active until its life is depleted or replaced.
Zinc-air batteries give you the best battery life when stored in a room temperature, dry environment. Unlike popular belief, storing them in the fridge doesn’t have any benefits because it can cause condensation under the sticker and reduce battery life prematurely.
Traditionally, hearing aid batteries were produced with trace amounts of mercury for conductivity and stabilization. Mercury was used in these batteries up until recently due to its conductive properties (this is why batteries were stored in a fridge). However, it has been determined by the FDA that there may be an increased risk of potential mercury exposure with prolonged use, so they have banned this element from being included in new-manufactured devices. Hearing aids are now safer than ever because they don’t require any hazardous material.
Hearing aids can be a blessing for those with hearing loss. Different types are available in different sizes and styles to fit any need. Different types of hearing aids also come with different types of hearing aid batteries. The larger the hearing aid, the larger the batteries.
There are five different sizes of batteries available on the market, all a little smaller than a dime in diameter. Size 5 hearing aid batteries are rarely used because they’re not compatible with most brands of hearing aids, but if you’re lucky enough to have one, there’s no denying that the tiny size also has its benefits. The four more common hearing aid battery sizes range from 10 millimeters to 675 millimeters in diameter and vary in price accordingly.
To make it easier for consumers to decode the difference among hearing aid batteries, the packaging is color-coded as follows:
Size 10 batteries – yellow
Size 312 batteries – brown
Size 13 batteries – orange
Size 675 batteries – blue
Non-rechargeable batteries are a thing of the past for hearing aids. Today, it’s all about rechargeable batteries that can last up to 1 week! This new technology is designed to provide higher quality sound and longer battery life.
Non-rechargeable battery life has gone from five days max to as much as one week with this new type of technology.
Call us today to schedule an appointment!
