Congratulations! You're the proud owner of a new hearing aid. Now it's time to get
hearing aid batteries. These little zinc wonders are small silver discs designed to last the longest they can. They come in different sizes but in order to keep it simple for consumers, manufacturers have banded together to color code each size.
You will find that the Uno uses a size 10 battery which is designated by yellow. The Dia and Canto use size 312 batteries coded by the color brown. Read on to learn more about taking care of your batteries.
Where can I buy hearing aid batteries?
Audicus always has
hearing aid batteries in stock for purchase. Additionally, batteries are found at your local pharmacy or drug store. For bargain hunters, batteries can also be bought in bulk at lower prices at warehouse stores like Costco and Sam's Club.
How long do my hearing aid batteries last?
The size 10 batteries last 72 hours while the size 312 last 200 hours. The batteries are covered by a sticker tab and when it is removed the battery activates using air as an energy source. It is recommended to let the battery activate for 30 seconds before putting it in the hearing aid to ensure maximum life. Additionally, battery life can be conserved at night by leaving the battery door open.
NOTE: Do not activate the battery by removing the sticker tab until you're ready to use it since once the tab is taken off, the battery cannot be returned to inactive status.
How do I take proper care of my hearing aid batteries?
The batteries should be stored at room temperature as heat will shorten the running time. Humidity is also bad for them as it can dissolve the adhesive on the sticker tabs, causing the battery to activate. Also, avoid carrying individual batteries in a purse, wallet or bag as any contact with metal objects can cause the batteries to short-circuit.
It is recommended to change your batteries on the same day each week so that it becomes habit and to carry extra batteries to circumvent the hearing aid going dead while away from home. However, be sure to keep the batteries in the original packing to avoid any short circuiting.
What do I do if my pet ingests my hearing aid batteries?
Batteries are dangerous for pets because if they are punctured, they will leak their alkaline contents and cause ulcers. However, since hearing aid batteries are very small, this is less likely to happen but can still be harmful since if they get lodged in the esophagus, the two sides of the esophagus can touch the battery and an electrical current can occur resulting in burns. The best course of action to take is to seek veterinary emergency services for an X-ray and the veterinarian can properly diagnose the situation.
How do I dispose of used hearing aid batteries?
Like all batteries, if they are disposed with regular household trash, they are harmful to the environment as the metals and chemicals can leak into the air and water supply. Larger grocery stores often have a recycling bin for batteries and companies like
BigGreenBox.com and
BatteryRecycling.com offer battery recycling boxes with a prepaid shipping label for collecting all of your batteries, regardless of type, to send them back once your box is full. For more on where you can recycle batteries,
Earth911 is a great resource to reference to.
by Esther Shasho
