Modern hearing aids are miraculous devices. In fact, their quality is now so good, and the technology so advanced, that users often forget they are even there! Because of this, it can be very easy to forget that they need a bit of care, and the day that they fail you can come as an untimely and massively inconvenient surprise. The fault will most likely occur when your battery runs out of juice.
For your hearing aid to function at an optimum level, you must take care of your power supply. It requires a steady and reliable power source to run efficiently. Even the smallest dip or fault in your battery function can have significant effects on the quality of the device’s performance. Here are a few tips on how to supply your aid with the best power!
How Do I Know If My Batteries Need Changing?
The lifespan of a standard hearing aid battery varies vastly based on the device’s design and the corresponding battery’s capacity; this could be anywhere from 3 days to 3 weeks. So, if a problem does arise, a battery check is the first thing you should do. Listen out for the following symptoms!
– Distorted sound or having to adjust the volume more than you usually do.
– If your aid has an alarm, be sure to swap out your batteries as soon as the beeping begins.
– A sudden loss of sound.
Some hearing aids lose power quite suddenly, so it is a good idea to carry around a spare set of batteries, just in case.
How to Minimize Drain
There are a few little things you can do to make your batteries last longer. They may seem small, but these little savings will make a huge difference over time.
– Once you have removed the tab from your fresh battery, let it sit for a couple of minutes. This allows the air to reach the internal materials of the battery and activate them more effectively. Also, on the subject of battery tabs, never buy a battery that has had its tab removed. Hearing aid batteries begin to discharge as soon as they are “de-tabbed,” so you may be purchasing a dead battery!
– When you are not using your hearing aid, turn it off. Or even better, take the battery out completely. This will significantly minimize battery drain.
– Be mindful of where you store them. Batteries will lose power faster if they are kept in extreme temperatures or near metal objects such as coins or keys.
Care Tips
There are also a few good habits that you might want to observe when handling and caring for your hearing aid batteries. These will not only keep your batteries in good condition but will also ensure that the aid itself continues to function well.
– Room temperature! This may seem obvious, but do not keep batteries in the fridge or a cold room.
– Ensure your hands are clean before changing batteries. Even small amounts of grit and grime will accumulate over time and could permanently harm the functionality of the aid itself.
– Open up the battery compartment of your aid at night. This means that any moisture can evaporate, which will evade the possibility of battery corrosion.
– Dead batteries can swell. So, once they have died, remove them immediately or you might never get them out!
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