Hearing aid wearers have to take good care of their hearing aids, including regular battery changes to keep their hearing aids powered. Hearing aid batteries are small batteries, which can last anywhere from a couple of days to a few weeks. Knowing which ones to buy, how to take care of them and how to make them last as long as possible will save you money and help you to ensure your hearing aids are working as best as they can. Keep reading to find out all about how your hearing aid batteries will deliver a better hearing aid experience.

Types of hearing aid battery

There are several different hearing aid battery sizes. It's always important to get the right batteries for your hearing aids to make sure they work and so you don't waste money buying the wrong size. When you buy new hearing aids, you might consider what type of battery they need so you can choose based on how long your batteries are likely to last. Each hearing aid battery size has a corresponding color to make them easy to find. Hearing aid battery sizes include 675 (blue), 13 (orange), 312 (brown) and 10 (yellow).

Different sizes tend to be used in certain types of hearing aid. For example, 675 batteries are typically used for behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids and can last anywhere between nine and 20 days. 312 and 10 batteries are more likely to be used in smaller hearing aid styles and will likely last seven to 10 days at most.

Choosing hearing aid batteries

When you buy hearing aid batteries, you need to find the right size for your hearing aids. However, you can still choose from different brands. You might find that some brands last longer or are packaged better. Some factors can affect which brand is right for you, including your hearing aids and how you use them. It's best to try out some brands to find out which ones work best for your needs. You can find sample packs of batteries from different manufacturers to try out. Another option is to speak to your audiologist, who can recommend some brands for you.

Using hearing aid batteries

Hearing aid batteries are easy to handle. When you first get your hearing aids, your audiologist can show you how to change the batteries when you need to. They can also explain how to recognize when your batteries need to be changed. It's important to make sure that you put your batteries in the right way and that you take out empty batteries right away. Most hearing aid batteries activate when you remove the plastic tab for them, as they contain zinc and activate when the air hits them.

Extending the life of your batteries

Having to change your hearing aid batteries all the time is annoying. If you find that you need to do it more often than you would like, you can try some ways to extend the life of your batteries. Start by leaving your batteries to activate for five minutes after removing the plastic tab, before you put them into your hearing aids. This gives them time to activate properly and could extend their life by a number of days.

Another good tip is to make sure that you store your batteries properly. Make sure you put them in a cool, dry place and keep them in their packaging until you're ready to use them. When you're not wearing your hearing aids, open up the battery compartment to allow moisture to escape. Be sure to keep your hearing aids somewhere cool and dry too; don't leave them in your bathroom.

When to change your batteries

It's also a good idea to know when you need to change the batteries in your hearing aids. If you're having any problems with the sound for your hearing aids, changing the batteries is one of the first things you can do, along with checking the volume. You might get distorted sound or no sound at all when your batteries are low on energy. If you have to turn up the volume more than normal, it might be time for new batteries. It's important to have spare batteries so you can change them when you need to, but try not to buy too many at a time.

Take a look at Salyer Hearing Center to find out more about hearing aid batteries and how we can help. Call us at one of our three convenient locations: