Although some rechargeable hearing products are now available, many hearing aids still require disposable batteries. Choosing the right batteries is important not only so that you have the right size for your hearing aids, but also so that they last as long as possible to help you to save money. When you buy new hearing aids, whether how long they last for, and how to buy and replace them when necessary.

This guide will help you become more familiar with hearing aid batteries and how to handle them.

How to test hearing aid batteries

If you have trouble with your hearing aids, the batteries can sometimes be the source of the problem. The battery might have run out or could be running low, causing a host of issues with your hearing aids. If the batteries are at fault, you could find that the sound on your hearing aids isn’t right, or perhaps they won’t turn on at all.

To check if a battery is working, you can use a special battery tester. These are simple to use. You place the battery on the test surface with the positive mark facing up, then slide the battery in the direction of the arrow. The display will tell you whether the battery still has any power left in it. If you don’t have a battery tester, you can simply use your hearing aids. With the battery inside a hearing aid and the battery compartment closed, close your hand around the hearing aid and hold it to your ear. If you can hear the hearing aid squealing, the battery is working. Ask someone else to do it for you if you can’t hear well enough.

Buying batteries for your hearing aids

When you buy hearing aid batteries, you first need to make sure that you get the right ones for your hearing aid. Hearing aid batteries come in different sizes, which numbered and color-coded. Which batteries you use will depend on the size and type of your hearing aids.

These are the sizes and colors of hearing aid batteries, and which types of hearing aids they are typically used for:

• 675 blue: For powerful behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids
• 13 orange: For BTE and in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids
• 312 brown: For mini BTE hearing aids, receiver-in-the-ear (RITE) hearing aids and in-the-canal (ITC) hearing aids
• 10 yellow: For mini RITE and completely-in-canal (CIC) hearing aids

When you’re buying hearing aid batteries, just getting the right size isn’t necessarily enough. You might also be thinking about how you can save money, and how you can avoid having to change your batteries too often. You can ask your audiologist to recommend a battery brand if you want batteries that will last. Compare the prices of different brands and take a look at some reviews too. Reading reviews will help you to find batteries that provide the best performance and last longer. However, how you handle your batteries is often more important than which brand you buy.

Changing hearing aid batteries

When you need to change your hearing aid batteries, there are a few things you can do to get the most from them. Firstly, don’t remove the sticker tab on the battery until you need to use it. As soon as you take it off, it will activate the battery. Wash your hands before handling your batteries to avoid getting any dirt on them. When you do remove the sticker, leave the battery to “breathe” for five minutes before putting it into your hearing aid. This has been proven to let the zinc in the battery activate and allow the battery to last longer. Use your oldest batteries first, so they are as fresh as possible.

If you’re not going to use your hearing aids for a while, take the batteries out completely. When you remove your hearing aids overnight, leave the battery compartment door open, which helps to avoid battery drain. Keep both your hearing aids and batteries in a cool and dry place. You can use a hearing aid dehumidifier if you want to prevent moisture from damaging the batteries and your hearing aids.

Taking care of your hearing aid batteries is an important part of wearing hearing aids. Find out more about hearing aids and hearing aid batteries from Beck Hearing Aid Centre. Call 888-618-3778 to book an appointment or to ask any questions that you might have.