Batteries for hearing aids are essential for the operation of these devices. A properly selected battery will save time, money and nerves, and will not force you to get into an uncomfortable situation due to the fact that the device sat down at the wrong moment.
To select the correct battery for your hearing aid, it is enough to understand its basic characteristics and take into account some points that are important during use. To make it easier for you to decide, in this article we will answer common questions about hearing aid supplies that are often asked by specialists.
What you need to know about zinc air batteries and their protective film
The zinc air batteries used as batteries for hearing aids have an adhesive protective film that covers the air holes.
After removing the protective film, it takes two minutes for the battery to become active.
Several sources indicate that the optimal time for the battery to activate and begin to release energy is five minutes.
Thus, after removing the film, the battery will start to discharge, and this happens regardless of whether it is in the battery compartment of the hearing aid or simply lies on the table. A battery that is not properly activated can be damaged and will not return to the level of power sufficient to power the hearing aid.
Never remove the protective film if you are not planning to use the battery! Returning the film to its original place does not solve the problem, since the battery is already activated and its operational period has already begun
How to deal with used batteries
It is important to consider a few points here:
- Never leave used batteries in places where children and animals can reach. It is not uncommon for babies to swallow batteries and often leads to disastrous consequences.
- Batteries (any) must not be disposed of with household waste. They must be disposed of separately – there are special points for collecting batteries in any city.
Best Places to Order Hearing Aid Batteries
The best option is to purchase batteries from the hearing center where you bought your hearing aid. There may be various bonus programs for customers that provide discounts on batteries. You should not buy alkaline or alkaline batteries: despite all the assurances from the manufacturers, their service life will be significantly shorter than that of batteries manufactured specifically for hearing aids.
How to store hearing aid batteries
The optimum storage temperature for hearing aid batteries is 10-25 ° C. Heat, high humidity – all of these factors can shorten battery life.
It is unlikely that this thought will come to your head, but, nevertheless: do not put batteries in the refrigerator, as this is guaranteed to disable them. Contact of batteries with metal objects (keys, coins, etc.) can cause a short circuit, therefore it is not recommended to put batteries in a purse or wallet.
What affects the life of a hearing aid battery
Battery life for hearing aids depends on the length of daily use, the sound amplification level used, and the type and functionality of the hearing aid. For example, active use of features such as FM or Bluetooth can significantly reduce battery life due to the increased current consumption of the hearing aid in this mode.
According to statistics, in most cases, a too short battery life is not due to a manufacturing defect, but to the following circumstances:
- Exposure to environmental factors (high humidity, high or low temperature).
- Changes in how you use your hearing aid (longer daily wear, more use of energy-intensive features, longer exposure to noisy environments, etc.).
- Buying a different type or brand of hearing aid.
- Your new hearing aid has additional features.
Improper handling of batteries can also shorten battery life:
- Too short a time (less than two minutes) between removing the protective film and placing the battery in the battery compartment of the hearing aid.
- The hearing aid does not turn off at night.
- Partial loss of battery capacity caused by short circuits caused by metal objects in the batteries.
- The battery is stored in a hot environment (for example, in a car parked in the sun).
