EKING OUT A LITTLE MORE BATTERY LIFE

If you’ve been in to the office lately, you may have heard us mention that there’s a way to get a little longer battery life out of your disposable batteries. The trick is to wait a full 2 minutes after you peel off the battery tab sticker before putting the battery into the hearing aid. Peel off the sticker, let the battery sit positive (flat) side up for 2 minutes, and then insert the battery into the hearing aid. Hearing aid batteries are zinc-air activated, so waiting 2 minutes allows the air to sink into the zinc battery cell for complete activation. Expect anywhere from a half to a full day of extra battery life.

While we’re on the subject, let’s review a few more things. Zinc-air batteries are a little more moisture sensitive than average batteries, so it’s best not to store them in the refrigerator or in the bathroom. Also, because there are holes in the top of a battery, handling the battery too much can block the air holes and not allow the battery to fully activate. If you ever think that a battery is dead, before replacing it with another battery, try rubbing both sides of the battery with a tissue or dry cloth, let it sit for 2 minutes, then try it in the hearing aid again.