Hearing aids are a god-send for differently-abled individuals with a hearing impairment. These aids need batteries to operate.
However, the batteries don’t last that long and need to be disposed of properly. Even though you might be tempted to throw them in the trash, this is not the right way to dispose of them.
Let’s explore how to dispose of hearing aid batteries in detail!
How to Dispose of Old Hearing Aid Batteries
Here are some ways in which you can dispose of your old hearing aid batteries:
Drop Them Off at a Recycling Center
Many recycling centers and companies set up drop-off points in various areas in the city. These drop-off locations are part of their recycling programs.
If you want your environment and wildlife to remain safe, then you must dispose of your used batteries properly.
You can simply search up the drop-off point closest to your location and drop off your battery there.
Reach Out to Your Hearing Aid Provider
Another way to dispose of these batteries is to reach out to your hearing aid provider. In many instances, these manufacturers also provide battery recycling programs to ensure proper disposal of them.
They also make sure to make the disposal process as simple for their customers as possible. If you follow this route, you will easily get rid of these batteries.
Find Local Recycling Avenues
You can also research your local recycling program to dispose of the batteries. Reach out to your municipality or county offices to find out if they have their recycling programs.
You might be able to find a conveniently located drop-off point set up by these programs.
Reach Out to an Electronics Retailer in Your Locality
Some electronic retailers also provide the residents in their locality with recycling programs.
Get in touch with the electronic retailers in your locality to find out if they offer such programs. You can easily dispose of your batteries this way.
Importance of Correct Disposal
On average, a tiny size 10 hearing aid battery will only last for three to five days.
A size 321 battery will last for seven to ten days, while a size 13 battery will last for ten to fourteen days. The biggest hearing aid battery, size 675, will run for two weeks to seventeen days.
Since you have to change these batteries so often, you might be tempted to throw them into the trash.
Even though this might be convenient for you, it will cause harm to the environment. Improper disposal can also result in accidental ingestion by pets and children or even garbage-dwelling pests, such as raccoons.
These batteries might also end up in the landfill, where they might leak into the groundwater. This is why it’s illegal to throw them in the trash in some places. Instead, you have to take extra care to dispose of them properly.
How to Store Hearing Aid Batteries Properly
Rechargeable hearing aid batteries need to be stored properly.
Even though these batteries are small, they enable people to hear better, drown out the tinnitus, and stream audio.
Without functional batteries, your hearing aid will not work properly. This is why you must take extra care of your batteries. You must also store them properly.
This is because storing them improperly can result in a loss of efficacy. It can also damage the battery. You must make sure to store the batteries in a cool, dry place.
However, the location should not be too cold, either. Otherwise, the batteries will be damaged. You must also keep the batteries in their original case.
You need to protect your batteries from direct heat as it can damage them. Avoid exposing the batteries to direct sunlight or even hot temperatures.
Additionally, keep your hearing aid batteries safely out of reach of your children and pets. They might ingest them accidentally.
Store the batteries in your bedside drawers, high cabinets, or in any other secure location. Don’t store them in locations that are easy to access, such as your bathroom drawers or medicine cabinets.
These storage areas can also get humid and wet. If the batteries are exposed to humidity, they will get damaged.
Use Lithium-Ion Batteries Instead of Disposable Ones
If you want to be environmentally conscious, then it’s best to use lithium-ion batteries rather than disposable ones. This is because lithium-ion batteries are rechargeable, which helps extend their lifespan.
Today, many hearing aids come with replaceable lithium-ion batteries instead of the traditional zinc-air ones. The best part about these batteries is that using them will reduce your waste production.
Their ability to recharge will save you from disposing of old batteries too quickly. It will also reduce the overall cost of buying new hearing aid batteries.
You can easily use a fully charged lithium-ion battery for a full day, without recharging it. At the end of the day, you can simply drop the battery in its charger to recharge it for the next day. This will certainly save a lot of your time, resources, and money.
What’s more, is that you can carry portable chargers for these batteries to recharge them on-the-go. This way, you can easily carry with a single lithium-ion battery and recharge it if it runs dry.
Lithium-ion batteries also work well in colder temperatures, which makes them perfect for people living in colder regions.
If you have always disliked the hassle and carbon footprint of disposable batteries, then you can simply switch to the more conventional lithium-ion batteries. These batteries are a great investment and the best, environment-friendly choice.
How to Extend Lithium-Ion Battery Use
Even though lithium-ion batteries are rechargeable, they will certainly not last forever. If you want your batteries to last a long time, then you must use them properly.
Otherwise, you might end up damaging them or they might not last too long. If you take extra care of them, you can save yourself from the added expense of buying additional batteries. You will also benefit your environment.
The first step is to use a dehumidifier. You must put your hearing aid batteries in a dehumidifier at night. This will certainly increase their life and ensure their efficacy. If you don’t use a dehumidifier, the batteries will degrade over time.
If you need to store your lithium-ion batteries for a long time, then don’t do so in their active chargers. Always unplug the charger and place the hearing aid somewhere safe. Overcharging the battery will harm it in the long run.
Additionally, if you go months without using a battery, don’t let it become flat-dead. Every few months of disuse, make sure to charge and discharge the battery. If possible, always plug the battery in before it runs out of power completely.
The simple act of “topping off” your lithium-ion battery is much better than letting it drain completely and recharging it. This act will help extend its life.
Even if you don’t use your hearing aids regularly, activate and use the lithium-ion batteries periodically. This will ensure that the batteries remain operational and don’t degrade while in storage.
Something You Must Keep in Mind about Disposing of Hearing Aid Batteries
Also, you shouldn’t wait until you collect enough dead batteries to hand them to a disposal or recycling facility.
Instead, you should get rid of them as soon as you have used them.
Some batteries may start to leak some acid if it remains unused for a long period. In that case, the leaked substance can pose a health risk to you and those who touch it.
In addition to that, the battery may then become entirely useless. Recyclers may not be able to salvage as much from it as they would with a drained but intact battery.
In that case, the battery’s components may end up in a landfill. In turn, it will have a more harmful impact on the environment and potentially sanitation workers too.
The Bottom Line
When discarding your hearing aid batteries, you must dispose of them properly. You can’t just throw them in the trash and call it a day.
You need to reach out to a recycling center to recycle the batteries. You can leave the batteries at the designated drop-off points.
Alternatively, you can get in touch with your local municipality or electronic stores to find out if they have any recycling programs.
If they do, you can simply drop off the batteries at the designated location. This will help keep the environment safe.
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