One of the first and most important things that you need to know when managing hearing aids is battery care. In order to run properly, a hearing aid needs a high quality battery designed specifically for the use of a hearing aid. Without this, a hearing aid’s ability will be significantly lowered and will not perform to its full capacity.
The type of battery you need will depend on the type of hearing aid you are using. How often you use the hearing aid and the battery’s capacity will determine how long the battery will last, so you will need to take this into account when planning how often you’ll need to replace them. If the performance of your hearing aid deteriorates, such as sound becoming distorted or quieter than usual, then you should switch out your batteries immediately. If you do not take out the dead batteries soon after they run out of energy, then they will swell and be difficult to remove. Similarly, opening the battery door on your hearing aid at night will allow moisture to escape and will lessen the chances of the battery corroding.
An important characteristic of hearing aids batteries are the colored protective seals on each battery. Hearing aid batteries are standardized by size and marked by color so that it is easier to remember what size you will need when searching for a new battery. Make sure to keep note of the color of your battery’s protective seal so that you can remember what size battery your hearing aids need to function. Additionally, only remove these seals when you are preparing to use the batteries immediately after or it will discharge power and be less effective. Studies show that leaving a battery out to “breathe” for about a minute after removing the seal and before inserting it into the hearing aid can improve performance, but any time over that would be wasting the battery’s power.
Another way to make a battery more effective and decrease power drainage is to turn it off when you aren’t wearing or using it. If you won’t be using your hearing aids for a long amount of time, then it’s advised to take the battery out entirely. When storing your batteries, be sure to avoid keeping them in extreme temperatures as it can drain battery power.
You should also carry extra batteries with you at all times in case of an emergency, wash your hands before and after handling batteries, and store extra batteries away from metal objects to avoid accidental discharge. Take note of how long your batteries usually last according to your own personal experience so that you can plan for when they will need replacing, and avoid stocking up on batteries because their performance usually deteriorates after three years even with the protective seal still in place. If you are always conscious and aware of these simple tips, then the battery care of your hearing aids will be a simple task and you will be able to use the batteries to their full potential.
Qualicum Beach Hearing Assessment
Salt Spring Hearing Assessment
Sooke Hearing Assessment
Sidney Hearing Assessment
Ucluelet Hearing Assessment