Longest Lasting Hearing Aid Batteries
If you are in the market for a new hearing aid, you may have considered a number of factors: size, technology, fit, and price. These are common considerations, however many consumers overlook the tiny, but important, hearing aid battery. Every hearing aid requires a battery to work, and the average lifespan can range from just 3 days to almost 20, depending on the hearing aid you select. For many users, changing a battery every 3 days is just too much inconvenience. Learn more about the longest lasting hearing aid batteries to keep your hearing aids charged and confident.
Types of Hearing Aid Batteries
The most common type of hearing aid battery available is the zinc-air button battery. This mercury-free, air-activated battery is inactive until the factory seal is removed by the consumer. Zinc-air batteries remain stable for up to three years. They should be stored only at room temperature, in a dry environment. Avoid exposing your hearing aid batteries to heat, humidity, or refrigeration. Rechargeable batteries are also available, although much less frequently used by consumers.
Typical Battery Lifespan
Hearing aid batteries come in four sizes. They are color coded, making it easy to remember exactly which battery fits your hearing aid. The blue size 675 battery has the longest average lifespan at 9-20 days. These batteries usually fit power behind-the-ear hearing aids. Orange size 13 batteries fit many behind-the-ear hearing aids, as well as most in-the-ear models. The average lifespan is 6-14 days. The smallest batteries, sizes 312 and 10, have the shortest average lifespans at 3-10 days.
How to Extend Battery Life
To ensure the best performance from your zinc-air battery, it is important to let the battery rest for at least one full minute after removing the factory-sealed sticker. This allows the zinc to interact with the air and begin to fully activate prior to being inserted into the hearing aid. One way to conserve battery life is to remove the battery when the hearing aid is not in use. If removing the battery isn’t an option, simply ensuring the device is turned off and opening the battery door will improve the average life of your hearing aid battery.
Hearing Aids with Long-lasting Batteries
New technology has been introduced by hearing aid manufacturers, pairing increased performance with lower power requirements. Phonak recently launched a new processing platform called Venture. Venture features double the processing power of the previous platform, but uses 30% less power. This ensures a longer battery life, which is a great convenience to consumers. Oticon also offers hearing aids that boast longer battery lives.
Your hearing healthcare provider can work with you to help you choose a hearing aid that works best for your lifestyle and has a battery lifespan that you can live with.