Hearing Aid Battery Care

When handling a hearing aid battery it is important to note that modern zinc-air hearing aid batteries are relatively safe compared to the previous generation of hearing aid batteries, which contained mercury. Nevertheless, it is important to take safety precautions in order to prevent the batteries leaking, causing irritation or choking/ingestion.

Handling your hearing aid battery

When handling your hearing aid battery you should always do so with clean, dry hands This prevents potential corrosion of the battery which could affect performance.

To replace your hearing aid battery, remove and dispose of the old battery carefully. Take a new battery from the pack or battery caddy, remove the tab and allow itto ‘air-up’ for one minute. This lets the active ingredients in the battery start working fully.

Insert the new battery into your hearing aid device, ensuring the correct polarity direction (+ and -) as per the device’s instructions. Do not mix types of battery or mix old and new batteries in a device. When replacing multiple batteries you should always replace all batteries at the same time.

When changing out hearing aid batteries avoid placing the battery in your mouth or holding it between your lips. This can contaminate the battery, or more seriously lead to accidental ingestion.

Handling your hearing aid battery
Keep out of reach of children

Keep out of reach of children

When storing your hearing aid batteries it is important to consider two factors; most importantly, protecting your loved ones from harm; and secondly, avoiding damaging your hearing aid batteries.

In the United States alone, over 3,500 people swallow button batteries each year. Therefore, it is important to take precautions to ensure both you and your loved ones don’t fall victim to hearing aid battery ingestion.

Remember to keep your hearing aid batteries out of sight and out of reach of children and pets to prevent them being swallowed. This could be in a raised cabinet, or a cupboard locked with a key or child-locking mechanism. If you drop a battery then pick it up straight away.

It’s important to consider that curious pets such as dogs have also been known to swallow hearing aid batteries.

If your child has swallowed a hearing aid battery, seek immediate medical. If your pet has swallowed a hearing aid battery it’s advised that you seek veterinary attention as soon as possible.

For more information on battery safety visit:

Our Battery Safety Page

Store your hearing aid batteries appropriately

Batteries may be damaged by improper storage conditions. To get the most from your hearing aid batteries you should store them in a cool, dry place, free of moisture and extreme temperatures. To find out more on how to make your hearing aid batteries last longer, visit our Factors Affecting Hearing Aid Battery Life page.

When storing batteries, you should make sure they are secure. Storing loose batteries together can cause them to touch and short out, damaging the capability of the battery.

When carrying spare hearing aid batteries on the go, keep them in the original packaging or a hearing aid battery caddy. Rayovac Extra and ProLine brands have a perforated card which can be torn and reduced in size to be more compact. Rayovac also offer a hearing aid battery caddy, specifically designed to ensure your batteries remain safe and protected in transit.

Furthermore, you should never store your hearing aid batteries in a small-pill box or set them out alongside daily medication. Their shape and size can make hearing aid batteries easily mistakable for medication.

If you are concerned that you, your child or your pet have swallowed a hearing aid battery, seek medical attention and read our page on battery safety.

Store your hearing aid batteries appropriately
Do not tamper with your hearing aid batteries

Do not tamper with your hearing aid batteries

Do not attempt to pierce or disassemble your hearing aid batteries. The inner chemistry of zinc-air batteries can cause irritation.

Zinc-Air batteries are not rechargeable, therefore do not attempt to recharge your hearing aid batteries. This may cause them to leak or rupture.

Safe disposal of your hearing aid batteries

When your hearing aid battery is dead, promptly remove it from your hearing aid device. Avoid leaving your hearing aid device left ‘on’ after your hearing aid battery has run out of power.

You should not put your used batteries in the waste bin. Hearing aid batteries can be recycled the same way as other batteries. You should check with your local council or government on how they recommend you dispose of your used batteries.

You should NEVER dispose of batteries in fire.

Safe disposal of your hearing aid batteries