Before the invention of hearing aids with integrated rechargeable batteries, all hearing aids needed to have batteries inserted. Nowadays, zinc-air batteries are used for hearing aids.
There are many different types of hearing-aid batteries. Which one is the right one for your hearing aid? So-called ‘zinc-air batteries’ are often used in hearing aids. Zinc-air batteries use air to generate energy. When you remove the sticker from the battery, you will notice three tiny holes in the flat part of the battery. As soon as these holes come in contact with the air, the batteries are charged. Daarom is het verstandig om de batterij 2 minuten te laten liggen en daarna in het hoortoestel te stoppen, dan ben je zeker van een goed werkende batterij en gaat de batterij ook langer mee. De meest gangbare batterijen die gebruikt worden voor hoortoestellen vind je op de volgende pagina:
The average time that a hearing-aid battery will last depends on the number of hours that the hearing aid is worn as well as the hearing aid’s power consumption. Power consumption depends on, among other things, the amount of amplification and adjustments to be performed by the hearing aid, including noise reduction, directional sensitivity, music streaming, Bluetooth phone calls, and the use of solo devices.
The average lifespan of zinc-air batteries is between three and fourteen days. Hearing-aid battery type 675 lasts the longest and is used in cases of severe hearing loss.
Hearing-aid battery type 13 is used for smaller behind-the-ear hearing aids and is a little smaller than the type of hearing aid that takes 675 batteries.
type 312 is the most commonly used battery type. These batteries are mostly used in RIC hearing aids. RIC are small hearing aids that are positioned behind the ear and are equipped with a small speaker that is inserted into the ear canal. A type 312 battery will last five to seven days, depending on use (e.g. streaming or making phone calls).
type 10 batteries have the shortest lifespan of all hearing-aid batteries. They are also the smallest batteries and are often used in CIC hearing aids – the smallest type of hearing aid, which is custom-made and worn inside the ear canal. Batteries of this type will last three to four days.
Hearing-aid batteries should be stored at room temperature. Average room temperature is between 15 and 25°C. Do not store batteries in a fridge, and be sure to keep them out of direct sunlight!
A major advantage of hearing-aid batteries is that they can be replaced anywhere, at any time. As long as you carry spare batteries, your hearing aid will never run out of power at an awkward moment.
A disadvantage is that loss of fine motor skills will make it more difficult to replace batteries. If too much grease gets on your hearing-aid batteries, they will attract dirt, potentially reducing their lifespan.
Rechargeable hearing aids are an alternative to battery-powered hearing aids. Lithium-ion batteries are fully encased in the hearing aid, meaning that you will never have to replace your hearing aids’ batteries.
Most batteries inside hearing aids have a lifespan of about five years, although this may differ per manufacturer. Another advantage is that such hearing aids need to be repaired less often, as moisture and dirt are less likely to get into them. Also, built-in batteries have the advantage that children cannot accidentally swallow them. In addition, the casing provides protection for the battery.
Frequently streaming music and making Bluetooth phone calls requires more capacity. That’s why a hearing aid with a built-in battery provides more stability than a hearing aid that uses zinc-air batteries.
A disadvantage might be that, despite proper charging, the battery could be empty at an awkward moment. Quickly replacing the battery is not an option, although it is possible to quick-charge the battery for 30 minutes to provide four to six hours of use.
The charging time of rechargeable hearing aids differs per manufacturer. Some will provide a full day’s use after 120 minutes of charging, while others require four hours of charging to do so.
