Hearing Associates provides our patients with Rayovac Proline batteries – the best batteries available. These batteries are mercury-free and made in the USA. Rayovac batteries are consistent in performance, allowing you to predict when your batteries will need to be replaced.
How Do Hearing Aid Batteries Work?
The most common type of hearing aid battery on the market today is the zinc air battery. A zinc air battery needs a flow of oxygen inside the battery to activate. Once you remove the tab, you can see tiny holes in the battery; these allow air to enter the battery and power it up.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION! After you remove the tab, be sure to allow a battery to sit for at least 1 minute before inserting into your hearing aid. Why? The activation process happens between 0 and 3 minutes. If inserted too quickly, a battery may seem “dead” because the voltage has not reached the necessary level to power up the hearing aid. Take out the new battery and let it sit for 1 to 3 minutes. Then reinsert it into your hearing aid.
Battery FAQs
Why do my hearing aid batteries run out sooner for me than they do for my friend?
The more severe the hearing loss, the more current that is used – thus reducing battery life. Battery life is also dependent on the hours of use – do you wear your hearing aids for 4 hours or 16 hours a day?
If you have hearing aids with advanced technology and features, your battery life will be shorter, much like using apps and streaming music on a Smartphone.
Can humidity and temperature affect my batteries?
Yes. As humidity is reduced, batteries can dry out.
As temperature is reduced, hearing aid voltage is lowered – reducing battery life.
Can altitude affect my battery life?
Yes. As altitude increases, the percentage of oxygen in the aid is reduced which lowers the battery voltage – shortening battery life.
Can the environment where I wear my hearing aids affect performance?
Yes. A battery will drain less in quiet environments than in a noisy one.
How Can I Determine Battery Life?
Your audiologist will give you an expected battery life for your aids based on statistics. Also, you may find it helpful to write down the date you take out a used battery. Did you hear “low battery” warning beeps? Once you have used all the batteries in your first supply, you should have a good idea of how long each battery will last for you.
Tips to Keep Your Batteries in Top Condition
Here in Oregon, it is important to keep your hearing instruments in a dry aid kit when you aren’t wearing them. This keeps the circuitry, electronic components and batteries free of moisture from the air and/or perspiration.
Battery storage is important! Store them at room temperature, not in the refrigerator! Don’t carry them loose in your pocket or purse. If a battery comes into contact with a coin, keys or another battery, it can short out. Do not throw your batteries in the trash! Protect your children, pets and the elderly by keeping your used batteries in a closed container. Bring your used batteries to Hearing Associates and we will recycle them for you.
A fresh battery is a good thing! When batteries sit on a shelf or in a warehouse, they lose their energy. Temperature fluctuations also affect batteries sitting on the shelf.
Hearing Associates guarantees our batteries are fresh. We restock our supply at least every three months.