Batteries are one of the most important things when it comes to hearing aids. Hearing aids need a steady source of power from a quality hearing aid battery in order to run effectively and properly. A low battery or defective battery can significantly impair the performance of a hearing aid.

Here are five things you should know about hearing aid batteries:

How Long Batteries Last: Standard hearing aid batteries last anywhere from 3 to 22 days, depending on the type of hearing aid, the battery type and capacity and how often the hearing aid is used.

Changing Batteries: Depending on how often you use your hearing aids, you may need to change batteries once a week or twice a month. You should change your batteries if any of the below occur:
• Sound becomes distorted or you have to turn up the volume on your hearing aid more than normal.
• The “low-battery” beep or voice sound comes on, indicating that the battery is getting low and should be changed. Switch to a new set of batteries as soon as you can when you hear this sound.

NOTE: Dead batteries should be removed immediately so they don’t swell and become difficult to remove later.

Protective Seals: You might have noticed a small, sticky tab in orange or another color on each battery in a package. These protective seals keep the battery from discharging power, so never remove the seal unless you’re about to use the battery. Additionally, never buy opened battery packages as the batteries are most likely compromised.

Let Batteries Breathe: Last year a Rochester, Minnesota student discovered how to help extend battery life of hearing aid batteries by waiting after removing the protective seal! See how here! His results were not based using a hearing aid, but it is recommended to let a battery sit out for about one minute before inserting into a hearing aid. Note, this helps to charge up the cell but may not directly improve battery life overall.

How to Minimize Battery Drain: Once you remove the protective seal from a battery it begins to discharge power; however, there are three things you can do to help minimize battery drainage.

1. When no wearing your hearing aid, turn it off or open the battery door. Note, you should always open the battery door at night to allow moisture to escape and to help keep the battery from corroding.

2. If you won’t be using the hearing aid for an extended period of time, take the battery out completely. You can store it in the protective case for your hearing aids.

3. Avoid storing batteries and hearing aids in extreme temperatures, hot and cold, as they can quickly drain battery power and shorten a battery’s lifespan.

Check out the below for more great hearing aid battery tips!

• TIP 1: Batteries can suddenly lose power, so be sure to carry an extra set with you at all times. Keep an extra package in your purse, car, briefcase or desk at work.
• TIP 2: Keep backup batteries away from coins, keys and other metal objects so as to avoid accidently discharging the batteries before use.
• TIP 3: Store batteries at normal room temperatures and do NOT refrigerate or expose to extreme hot or cold temperatures.
• TIP 4: Wash your hands before changing batteries. Grease and dirt residue on batteries could damage the hearing aid.

Try it Yourself » Need more hearing aid care and maintenance tips? Contact us today for product information, care tips and more! 

This blog originally appeared on www.starkey.com.