Do Hearing Aid Batteries Expire?

Have you ever opened that kitchen drawer and found a little hoard of stuff you forgot you had? Maybe some stray rubber bands, a few pennies, and a dial-pack of hearing aid batteries. You might wonder, “Are these even still good?” It is a fair question, and one that leads you to ask, do hearing aid batteries expire? The experts at Pinnacle ENT confirm this is an important question for anyone who relies on hearing aids. The short answer is a definite yes. Understanding the reasons can save you a lot of frustration and protect your expensive hearing aids. 

The performance of your device, especially with modern hearing aid technology, depends on a steady power supply. Pinnacle ENT, your Chester County ENT,  emphasizes the importance of understanding what happens to a disposable hearing aid battery over time and what you need to know.

Understanding Hearing Aid Batteries

Most disposable hearing aid batteries today are zinc-air batteries. They are clever little things, using oxygen from the air to activate their ingredients and generate power. That little colored tab on the back of each battery serves a purpose beyond decoration or handling.

It is an airtight seal that keeps the zinc inside from reacting with the air until you are ready to use it. Once you peel that tab off, air enters through tiny holes in the battery’s surface, starting a chemical reaction that “turns on” the battery. This is why you should wait a minute or two after removing the tab before closing the battery door of your hearing aid; Pinnacle ENT advises this gives the aid battery time to absorb enough oxygen to reach its full voltage.

This process is different from that of rechargeable batteries, which are often lithium-ion and can be recharged nightly. While rechargeable hearing aids are growing in popularity, millions still rely on these dependable disposable batteries. Different hearing aid styles, from tiny ITE hearing aids to more powerful mini BTE models, use various battery sizes, each with specific power outputs.

So, Do Hearing Aid Batteries Expire?

Yes, they absolutely do expire. You will find an expiration date printed right on the back of the package. It is usually labeled with a “best before” date, looking something like “03-2027” for March of 2027. Pinnacle ENT highlights the importance of checking this date to ensure optimal performance.

This date is not a magical cutoff where the battery instantly stops working. Think of it more like the date on a can of soup; it will probably still be edible after that date, but the quality might not be at its peak. Similarly, an expired hearing aid battery might still provide some power, but it will not be reliable.

It is the manufacturer’s way of telling you when the battery will start to lose its performance edge. Because these batteries are crucial for clear hearing and managing hearing loss, using them past their shelf life is a gamble you should not take — a point Pinnacle ENT consistently emphasizes.

What Happens When a Hearing Aid Battery Expires?

Using old batteries might seem like a good way to save a few bucks, but it can cause more problems than it solves. Pinnacle ENT warns of several clear signs that your battery is past its prime. The issues range from being a minor annoyance to causing real damage to your device.

Reduced Power and a Shorter Life

The most common issue with an old aid battery is a significant drop in performance. The chemical components inside naturally break down over time, even if the protective tab is still in place. So, when you finally use an expired battery, it just cannot hold a charge like a fresh one can.

You might get a few hours of use instead of the several days you are used to, meaning you will be changing batteries far more often. The sound quality of your hearing aid can also suffer. A weak battery may not provide enough power for advanced features, so you might experience distortion, static, or sounds cutting out, especially when streaming audio, which tends to drain batteries quickly.

This is particularly true for smaller batteries, which already have shorter lifespans. It is always a good idea to have a battery tester on hand to check the power level before you insert a battery into your device, a tip reiterated by the team at Pinnacle ENT.

The Serious Risk of Leakage

This is the biggest reason to avoid using old batteries. Over time, the casing and seals on a battery can degrade. This weakening can allow the corrosive materials inside to leak out.

If a battery leaks inside your hearing aid, the battery acid can cause permanent damage. It can eat away at the delicate metal contacts and circuits inside the device, ruining sensitive aid technology. This kind of damage is often expensive to fix and might not be covered by your warranty. According to Pinnacle ENT, moisture and battery corrosion are common culprits when a hearing aid stops working.

Saving a dollar on batteries that hearing aid users need is not worth risking hundreds or thousands on a repair or replacement. Always choose a fresh battery to protect your investment, and check product manuals for specific warnings about battery usage as recommended by Pinnacle ENT.

Frustrating and Inconsistent Performance

An expired battery is unpredictable. It might work perfectly for an hour and then suddenly die, leaving you without sound at an inconvenient moment. This inconsistency can be more than just annoying; it can be unsettling for anyone wearing hearing aids.

Imagine your hearing cutting out in the middle of an important conversation, while driving, or during a safety alert. That kind of unreliability is not something you want from a medical device you depend on daily. You might find that your hearing aids drain faster than expected, leading to frequent interruptions.

Using fresh, unexpired batteries gives you the peace of mind that your hearing aids will work when you need them. It is always wise to carry spare batteries, especially when you are away from home for extended periods, Pinnacle ENT advises.

Finding the Expiration Date on the Package

Now that you know how important that date is, where do you find it? It is almost always printed clearly on the back of the battery packaging. Whether you buy them in a dial-pack or a small box, flip it over and look for a date stamped on the cardboard.

It is usually presented in a month and year format (MM-YYYY) or year and month (YYYY-MM). This is the “best before” date, which indicates the end of the battery’s expected shelf life. Make it a habit to check this date before you purchase batteries for hearing aids.

Sometimes, a store might have old stock sitting on the shelf. Picking a package with a date far into the future means you are getting the freshest batteries possible. This helps you get the long hearing aid battery life you expect from a new pack, according to Pinnacle ENT.

How Long Do Hearing Aid Batteries Last?

People often confuse two different things: the battery life in your hearing aid and its shelf life. The shelf life refers to the time it can sit in its package before expiring. A typical hearing aid battery has a shelf life of about three to four years if stored properly.

The life of the battery once you start using it is much shorter. This depends on the battery size, the power needs of your hearing aid, your degree of hearing loss, and how many hours a day you wear it. Pinnacle ENT experts note that several factors play into how long a battery lasts in a device.

Here is a general guide to battery sizes and their typical performance, as summarized by Pinnacle ENT.

The hearing aid battery range can vary based on your personal use habits and the specific model of your hearing aid. A battery typically provides consistent power until it is nearly depleted, at which point your hearing aid will likely give a low-battery warning. When choosing hearing aid batteries, always select the correct size for your device, as advised by Pinnacle ENT.

How to Make Your Batteries Last Longer on the Shelf

You cannot stop the slow march of time, but you can take steps to make sure your batteries reach their expiration date in the best possible condition. How you store hearing aid batteries matters. Proper storage is easy and makes a huge difference in their shelf life.

Store Them at Room Temperature

Batteries are a bit like people; they do not like extreme temperatures. Heat can speed up the chemical degradation process, shortening the battery’s shelf life. Cold can also cause problems, which is why you should never store batteries in the refrigerator. You might have heard the old tip about storing batteries in the refrigerator to make them last longer. 

Please do not do this with zinc-air hearing aid batteries. Pinnacle ENT explains that the cold temperature can create condensation inside the packaging, and moisture is a huge enemy of your batteries and hearing aids. Just keep them in a cool, dry place like a dresser drawer or a cabinet at room temperature. Avoid leaving them in a hot car or on a sunny windowsill. A stable, room-temperature environment in a dry room is perfect for storing batteries.

Keep Them in a Dry Place

Moisture and humidity can interfere with the battery’s performance and potentially cause corrosion even before you use them. A bathroom cabinet is one of the worst places to store your spare batteries. The steam from showers creates a very humid environment that can harm the batteries.

Your best bet is to keep them in their original sealed packaging until you are ready to use one. That little dial-pack is made to protect them from the elements. A bedroom drawer or a kitchen cabinet away from the sink is a much better choice for how you store hearing aid batteries, Pinnacle ENT advises.

Do Not Remove the Tab Until You are Ready

This is the most important rule to extend life. Remember that peeling off the tab is like flipping an “on” switch. The moment that the seal is broken, the aid battery starts to drain.

Even if you remove the tab and don’t use the battery immediately, it will gradually lose power. Putting the tab back on will not stop the process. Once activated, the clock is ticking. A helpful tip from Pinnacle ENT is to let the battery “breathe” for a few minutes after you take the tab off. Letting it sit on the counter for two to five minutes before you put it in your hearing aid lets it fully activate. This simple step can sometimes give you a little more battery life.

Avoid Contact with Metal Objects

Never carry loose hearing aid batteries in your pocket or purse. If a battery touches metal objects like coins or keys, it can create a connection between the positive and negative terminals. This will short-circuit the battery and drain it very quickly.

This is another reason why keeping them in their original packaging is so important. If you need to carry spare batteries, use a special battery caddy or a small pouch to keep them safe. It is wise to carry spare batteries, but always transport them in a safe place away from metal items.

What Should You Do With Expired Batteries?

So what about that pack of batteries you found that expired last year? The best advice from Pinnacle ENT is to simply get rid of them. The potential risk to your hearing aids is not worth the tiny amount of money you would save.

Here are some common questions people ask about hearing aid batteries and how long they last. A key difference to note is that disposable batteries, typically zinc-air, are used once and then discarded, whereas rechargeable batteries, often lithium-ion, are integrated into the hearing aid and can be recharged overnight. The choice usually depends on your lifestyle and how easily you can handle small batteries. 

If your batteries seem to drain faster sometimes, it’s often because of things like Bluetooth streaming, being in noisy places that make your device work harder, using higher volume settings, or even cold temperatures. Buying extra batteries in bulk can save money, just be sure to check the expiration date and store them in a cool, dry place so they last. 

You should also stick with the battery size made for your hearing aid, since using the wrong size can damage it. And finally, opening the battery door at night is a good habit because it turns off the hearing aid to save power and lets moisture dry out, which helps your device last longer.

Conclusion

So, let’s circle back to that big question: do hearing aid batteries expire? The answer is a clear and simple yes. They come with a “best before” date for a good reason, as their performance drops and the risk of damaging leakage increases over time. For the health of your hearing aids and the quality of your hearing, you should always use fresh, properly stored batteries. How you store hearing aid batteries and whether you check expiration dates matter. Properly dispose of old ones responsibly.

Taking a moment to check the date on the package is a small step that protects your hearing and your device in a big way. By following these guidelines, including those recommended by Pinnacle ENT, you can rely on your hearing aids to perform their best when you need them most, allowing you to live life to the fullest. Book an appointment today!