Worrying about running low on batteries is something you shouldn’t have to do with rechargeable hearing aids, but when you rely on this technology, it might make you slightly nervous. Do rechargeable hearing aids work as well as marketed or do they even work at all?

Those questions are understandable, as is the accompanying anxiousness. A hearing aid is often a necessary element of one’s day-to-day life, as necessary for a simple visit to the grocery store as they are for the enjoyment of a television show or movie. It’s important that a piece of technology works correctly and dependably, especially when it affects so many aspects of life.

How Do I Know What Kind of Battery I Have?

By default, most modern-day hearing aids come with rechargeable batteries, so if you purchased your hearing aids recently it’s likely that your hearing aids will have one of two battery types. Silver-zinc batteries, which can usually be distinguished by a battery door on the device, are rechargeable, but the batteries might have to be replaced every so often. A Lithium-ion battery, however, will last throughout the life-cycle of the hearing device and, because of that, those devices will not have that telltale battery door.

How to Care For Your Rechargeable Hearing Aid

For the most part, rechargeable hearing aids do work, and they work well. As battery technology has improved in the last few years, the reliability of these devices has increased significantly. In order to increase reliability, however, there are a few maintenance steps users can take as they would with any other electronic device.

• Keep Your Hearing Aids Dry and Clean: No matter how often you use or do not use your hearing aids, they have plenty of occasions to accumulate moisture, debris, and dust. Your hearing aid might not thoroughly charge if it is exposed to any of these three things. When connecting your hearing aid to your charging station, as with any other time, it’s crucial to keep your device clean.
• Be Mindful of Wires: Either the hearing aid itself or the charging station will have some kind of wire element on most hearing aids. Most hearing aid users are advised to be aware of these wires; the connection that enables the device to charge can be damaged if you pull on or hold it by the wires.
• Put Your Hearing Aids on The Charging Station: If your hearing aids have rechargeable batteries, you can increase your device’s battery life by ensuring that you regularly store your hearing aids on their charging station. The long term battery life is not diminished by charging a battery that is not fully drained.In fact, you can actually improve the battery life by making sure your hearing aids are charging when not in use. A convenient reminder, for most people, to charge their device when it’s not used, is to place the charging station on a table beside their bed.

How to Replace a Rechargeable Battery

If you have lithium-ion batteries, they will probably last as long as your device does. As a result, you shouldn’t need to worry about changing those batteries. Simply keep recharging your hearing aids as long as needed.

However, you will want to periodically change the batteries if you have a hearing aid that uses silver-zinc batteries. The longevity of your battery can be improved by changing them in the right way. Because of this, hearing experts recommend the following:

• Before replacing batteries, be sure you wash your hands.
• Until you’re ready to use the batteries, don’t remove the plastic tabs or packaging.
• Make sure you have a dry, room temperature spot to store your batteries.
• Five minutes before taking off any tabs that might be attached let the batteries sit at room temperature.
• Ensure that your battery compartment is clean and free of moisture.

Long Periods of Non-Use

If you are planning not to use your hearing aids for long amounts of time, leaving them on the charger may no longer be the best way to store your devices. Simply unplug your hearing aid and store it in a cool dry place if, for instance, you know you won’t be wearing them for a few weeks or a month.

Consider leaving the battery door open so you can stop moisture from corroding the batteries if you use silver-zinc batteries.

Keep it Charged Every Day

All your general requirements should be satisfied if you charge your hearing aids once per day. To get 24 hours worth of battery life with a lithium-ion battery will usually only require 3-4 hours every day.

Do rechargeable hearing aids work? They don’t just work, they are becoming more common all the time. Contact your local hearing aid retailer to see all the different models