How to dispose of hearing aid batteries (2023)

Hearing aids are powered by small disposable batteries or rechargeable batteries. These rechargeable batteries are becoming more and more popular nowadays; However, there are still many people who use hearing aids that run on disposable batteries.

Both disposable and rechargeable batteries keep hearing aids working properly, but both batteries can cause serious injury to the user if not handled properly. Therefore, they must be discarded immediately when they become weak. Read on to learn how to dispose of it.

Storage of used hearing aid batteries

Due to the nature of the materials used, it may take some time before you can dispose of your hearing aid batteries. Therefore, you must store them in such a way that children or pets do not come into contact with them, as batteries contain silver, mercury, lithium and other heavy metals.

When these batteries run down or come into contact with bodily fluids, an electrical current is generated that can seriously damage internal organs by burning tissue within an hour or two. Also, a leaking battery can cause severe burns, regardless of whether it is fully charged or empty.

Now that you know how dangerous a battery can be, you need to be careful how you store it. How to store -

• Place it in a container with a snap-on lid. Then place it on a high shelf or in a closet that can be shielded from intruders.
• Keep it off the shelves where you keep your medications. There are pills with the same shape and size as batteries. There is a chance that you might mistake the battery for a pill, which could lead to ingestion and battery poisoning. Also, batteries should not be stored near metal objects such as keys, coins, etc.
• Make sure batteries are stored at room temperature. Make sure the heat in the room is not too high; and not cool as some people suggest with batteries.

Ways to dispose of used hearing aid batteries

How to dispose of your batteries:

recycle them

The metals in batteries make them extremely dangerous and very valuable, so you can recycle them. These metals are mined at high cost, so recycling them reduces the mining costs companies spend to obtain them. Not only do you help keep the cost of new batteries down, you also help protect the environment.

There are several collection points for battery recycling in different municipalities. Search online and you will find the collection points. You can also contact your hearing aid manufacturer as they may also offer recycling services.

However, if you cannot find any recycling collection points in your community, ask your community about nearby collection points. If there isn't one in your city, they may offer delivery to other cities that offer battery recycling services.

There's also a chance your local doctors, pharmacies, and audiology departments might know a few things about possible places to recycle or even offer recycling services.

If possible, try to recycle the hearing aid packaging along with the batteries.

Go to Batteries

If you don't use rechargeable batteries in your hearing aids, consider these types of batteries over disposable ones as they last longer. You can charge rechargeable batteries multiple times before needing to replace them, making them a more cost-effective option.

If you compare the annual cost of zinc-air batteries and the average battery life with the rechargeable battery, you will see that the latter is much cheaper. Fortunately, rechargeable batteries for hearing aids are becoming more and more popular.

Rather than spending money on batteries from time to time and worrying about the best method of disposal, simply switch to rechargeable hearing aid batteries so you don't have to hunt around for new batteries.

How long do hearing aid batteries last?

It is possible to estimate the durability of different types of hearing aids.

However, it is impossible to give an accurate estimate of how long a hearing aid battery lasts due to many factors.

On average, the batteries last between 3 and 22 days with fair use. If you wear it about 16 hours a day, it should be between 5 and 7 days. However, this depends on the capacity and type of battery, so it is not possible to make an exact estimate.

Also, if you have severe hearing loss, you'll need more amplification to make your hearing aid really loud, which will drain the batteries faster than someone with moderate or mild hearing loss.

Hearing aid batteries come in four different sizes and are universally color coded 10, 13, 312 and 675. To make the sizes easily identifiable, hearing aid manufacturers use industry standard color codes on the packaging and flaps . Here's a guide to size, color and battery life -

• 10 (yellow) - lasts 3-7 days
• 312 (brown) — lasts 3-10 days
• 13 (orange) - lasts 6 to 14 days
• 675 (blue) — lasts 9-20 days

Now that you know how long your batteries are likely to last, you can estimate how often you'll need to dispose of them. However, if you opt for a rechargeable battery, you can use it for about 6 months or even longer.

This is how hearing aid batteries last longer

Disposing of your batteries is always stressful, so you should consider how you can improve battery life/durability. The average battery life of hearing aids is 3 to 7 days. It is difficult to find a specific number of days due to many factors, e.g.

• The number of hours per day you use it
• Type and size of your hearing aid
• The way you take care of the battery
• Battery type and size
• The level of hearing aid technology
• The environment you live in

Fortunately, there are several ways to extend battery life and improve durability.

• Store extra batteries in a dry room

Hearing aid batteries should not be stored in extreme temperatures (both cold and hot). High humidity isn't good for batteries either; therefore, you should never store them in the bathroom or refrigerator.

• Use old batteries first

You can store your hearing aid batteries for as long as possible, but you should know that the longer a battery is stored (used or unused), the shorter its lifespan. So try to use older spare batteries before new ones.

• Handle the battery with clean hands

If you have grease or dirt on your hands and you touch the battery, it will transfer to it. This is bad for the battery and the hearing aid. This reduces battery and hearing aid life.

• Do not remove the plastic tab

Each hearing aid battery pack has a plastic tab. It's that plastic tab that keeps the battery cool when you store it. The moment you take it out, the battery is activated and its “juice” starts flowing from that moment on.

• After removing the plastic tab, leave the battery for 5 minutes

When you're ready to replace the battery with a new one, remove the plastic tab. When you take it out, the zinc in the battery mixes with the air to power it. Several sources have made recommendations on how long a user should wait after removing the tab and before inserting the new battery. Recent research has shown that waiting 5 minutes is enough to extend battery life by 3-5 days.

• Remove the batteries from the hearing aid

If you are not going to use the hearing aid for a long period of time, you should remove the battery to prevent damage from moisture and corrosion.

• Use a hearing aid dehumidifier

Hearing aid dehumidifiers and dry storage kits protect your battery. If you remove your hearing aid, you can also keep it protected in the kit.

• Leave the battery compartment open

Turn off the hearing aid when not in use and store it in a dry and safe place. Open battery compartment to allow excess moisture to escape. This reduces the rate at which the battery is discharged. This also protects the battery from corrosion.

Diploma

The metals in hearing aid batteries are dangerous; Therefore, if the battery leaks, it can contaminate the environment. That's why it's advisable not to throw it in the trash can. Instead, recycle it for recycling centers to extract its harmful chemicals before sending them to landfills. Disposing of them in landfills without removing the chemicals is not safe.

Also, never incinerate batteries as this can cause them to explode and release harmful chemicals into the air. Inhaling such chemicals can lead to serious health complications.