Batteries
Save those used batteries!
We are pleased to announce that we are now recycling used hearing aid batteries. This is an excellent opportunity for a hassle- free environmentally - friendly way to dispose of your used batteries. It's easy - just save your used batteries in a small container and bring them with you to your next appointment – or if you would like, feel free to drop them off the next time you just happen to be in our area.
Why recycle hearing aid batteries?
The zinc in zinc-air batteries is a hazardous component. So is the mercury or mercuric oxide if the battery contains mercury. The danger in throwing them in the garbage when used up, is that when the batteries are dumped at a landfill, over time, the decaying of the batteries could release harmful chemicals into the environment.
How Batteries Are Recycled
The toxic components are extracted and re-sold by recycling companies. The remainder is safe for the landfill.
Questions about Hearing Aid Batteries?
Q. How can I tell what size I need?
A. A few years ago, the hearing aid battery industry standardized battery sizes and came up with a color code to help you remember your battery size.
On the back of each battery is a tab that you pull off to "activate" the battery. Each size battery has a specific colored tab that corresponds to the size battery. Sometimes you may see other letters after the numbers, but those are arbitrary letters. The most important thing to remember is size and color as noted in the table below.
| Battery size | Color |
|---|---|
| 10 | Yellow |
| 312 | Brown |
| 13 | Orange |
| 675 | Blue |
If you can't remember your size, keep the color in mind. We will also have this information in your chart and can look it up for you any time.
Q. How long will the battery last before I have to change it?
A. That depends on the type of hearing aid you wear. Some hearing aids require more power and therefore will have a shorter life than others. Digital hearing aids require more battery than an analog hearing aid, simply because more complicated circuits are in a digital hearing aid. Typically, battery life of the smaller size 10 (yellow) battery can range anywhere from 5 to 7 days. Larger batteries (size 312, 13, 675) may last up to 21 days depending on the settings and how often you change settings on your hearing aid. If you're experiencing a shorter battery life, the hearing aid may not be working properly, and should be evaluated. We can evaluate your hearing aid and check the battery contacts, as well as test battery drain. If the hearing aid is not performing to specifications, your hearing aid can be sent to the manufacturer for repair.
Q. What happens when I take the tab off the battery?
A. The most common hearing aid batteries are called "Zinc Air", which means the battery works by mixing zinc with the outside air. Once the tab has been taken off of a battery, the battery becomes active and will continue to stay active. The battery cannot be "deactivated" by placing the tab back on the battery. The best advice is to keep the tabs on until you need a new battery. If you have a dead battery, keep it separate from your fresh battery supply. Do not keep them together in the same case, as this could lead to accidentally mixing the batteries. As long as you leave the tab on your batteries, you can expect a shelf-life of approximately three years. However, after three years, the battery may not perform as well.
Q. Where can I purchase batteries?
A. There are several ways you can purchase hearing aid batteries. Most drug stores will carry a small selection of batteries. You can also purchase batteries at our office or from our Website to be delivered directly to your door. We purchase the best batteries that we can and most often use Ray-O-Vac Proline batteries. These batteries are only available at dispensing offices and are stronger than the batteries that are available through drug stores and discount stores. We feel that by purchasing better batteries, hearing aids function better and the batteries last longer so you don’t have to change them quite as often.
