How Long Do Hearing Aid Batteries Last? Here's What You Should Know
Hearing aid users often want to know how long hearing aid batteries last, especially if they’ve recently started using them. The answer will depend on numerous factors like battery size, hearing aid type and brand, but generally speaking, the batteries will last from seventy to one hundred and eighty-five hours.
The Importance of Battery Life
When it comes to hearing aids, battery life matters a great deal. The last thing you want is a hearing aid with a short-lasting battery that has to be replaced at an inconvenient time, such as when you’re traveling, performing in sports or music or public speaking. Therefore, when purchasing a hearing aid the type and quality of its batteries must be carefully considered.
- Usage: The manner in which you use the hearing aid will determine its battery consumption. Because these devices are highly demanding and need optimal power continually, you’ll need to ensure they are always turned off when not in use.
- Tab remover: Full zinc batteries depend on the air entering to initiate the reaction which generates power. When the battery is first received, it should feature the adhesive tab in the bottom to stop air from getting inside your battery and initiating a reaction prematurely. Once the tab is removed, the battery and reaction life will begin. The life of the battery will continue to go down, even when you’re not using it.
A quality battery typically has a low warning alert feature, and you’ll want to become familiar with it. By doing so, you’ll develop an understanding of how long the batteries will last for the activities you typically engage in. Furthermore, it is recommended to carry an extra battery just in case something happens to your primary one.
Battery Size and Material
It is important to familiarize yourself with battery size. Hearing aid batteries come in four sizes, which are size ten, size thirteen, size 312 and size 675. They are color-coded for convenience in the following manner:
- Size 675 batteries are blue
- Size 312 batteries are brown
- Size 13 batteries are orange
- Size 10 batteries are yellow
There are also rechargeable batteries on the market which can be purchased in bulk and stocked so that they are available when you need them. Batteries are made with multiple materials, such as zinc, silver zinc or lithium-ion.
Zinc air batteries are disposable, but have the advantage of being lighter and more affordable when compared to lithium-ion. Additionally, zinc is environmentally friendly and can be put inside a standard recycling bin like regular batteries. Disposable batteries feature a peel-off style back and factory seal which shields them from the air.
They will become active whenever the zinc content comes into contact with oxygen through the creation of zinc oxide. It is for this reason that their backing should be kept on until they are ready for use. One of the newest and most popular products on the market is rechargeable hearing devices. They can be plugged into charging cradles or USB ports overnight so they can be recharged for daily use.