Hearing Aid Batteries
Hearing aids require a lot of power and energy. For this reason, zinc air batteries are most often used because they produce a large amount of energy despite their very light weight.

All batteries are toxic and dangerous if swallowed. Keep all batteries (and hearing aids) away from children and pets. If anyone swallows a battery it is a medical emergency and the individual needs to see a physician immediately.

Batteries should be changed about every ten to 14 days. The exact schedule for changing batteries depends on the amount of time the hearing aids are worn and the power consumed over time. Most new digital hearing aids have battery warning indicators. Before the battery goes out, the hearing aid will " beep, beep, beep " to tell you you have another hour or two before the battery fails. Using excellent, fresh batteries is important, and changing batteries should take no more than 60 seconds.

Batteries are inexpensive, costing less than a dollar each. Generally, the smaller the battery size, the shorter the battery life. The sizes of hearing aid batteries are listed below along with their standard number and color codes.

Size 5: RED
Size 10 (or 230): YELLOW
Size 13: ORANGE
Size 312: BROWN
Size 675: BLUE

Today's hearing aid batteries are " zinc-air. " Because the batteries are air-activated, a factory-sealed sticker keeps them " inactive " until you remove the sticker. Once the sticker is removed from the back of the battery, oxygen in the air contacts the zinc within the battery, and the battery is " turned-on " . Since many of today's automatic hearing aids do not have " off " switches, removing the battery from the hearing aid circuit, by opening the battery door, when not in use, assures the device is turned off. Zinc-air batteries have a " shelf life " of up to three years when stored in a cool, dry environment. Storing zinc-air hearing aids in the refrigerator has no beneficial effect on their shelf life. In fact -- quite the opposite may happen. The cold air may actually form little water particles under the sticker. Water is made of oxygen and hydrogen. If the water vapor creeps under the sticker, oxygen may contact the zinc and the battery could be totally discharged by the time you peel off the sticker! Therefore, the best place to store batteries is in a cool dry place, like the back of your sock drawer, not the fridge!

Battery Tips

• Always keep hearing aid batteries away from children and pets.
• Never place or carry batteries near metal objects such as coinage as it may cause them to short-circuit, which can cause leakage or explosion.
• Zinc air batteries have a peel-off tab that exposes the battery to air. The tab should only be removed when the user is ready to replace the battery, because putting the tab back on has no effect since the battery has already been activated.
• To maximize the life of your hearing aid battery, it is best to read all literature and manuals to ensure maximum safety and efficiency.

Battery Care

• When you remove your hearing aids, turn them off. If they don't have an on/off switch, then turn them off by opening the battery door.
• Remove the battery at night, or whenever the hearing aid is not used for an extended period, and store the aid in a cool, dry place.
• Keep the battery compartment clean and dry.
• Always wipe the battery clean before inserting.
• Discard used batteries carefully in a place where they cannot come into contact with infants, small children, pets or others who might accidentally swallow them.