Ask Anna: How do I know when my child’s hearing aid batteries are dead?

Ask Anna is a weekly advice column for the hearing loss community. 

Dear Anna,

My 5-month-old has had her hearing aids for a few months now, and we check and clean them every day. She seems to enjoy wearing them, but I’m having a difficult time ensuring they batteries are working properly. Since she’s too young to tell me if they are dead, is there a trick to determine when the battery will run out? – Emma’s Mom in Minnesota

Dear Emma’s Mom,

This can indeed be a challenging experience, but there are a few different ways to cope with this. 

First you want to make sure the batteries are properly charged before inserting them in your child’s hearing aids. Zinc Air hearing aid batteries use air as an energy source, and the tab seals the air holes on the battery. To activate the batteries properly, remove the sticker tab and wait between two and five minutes before inserting it in your child’s hearing aid. 

(If the battery is not properly charged, it can reduce the number of days that it works, and may limit the voltage power. Once you remove the tab, activation begins.)  

Multiple factors can affect the running time of the hearing aid battery, including the number of hours of use per day, the amplification and the features of the hearing aid being used – such as streaming. 

When you test your child’s hearing aids daily, by using a battery tester, you’ll be able to get a good idea about how long they are lasting.  Just place the battery in the tester and it will give an indication of how much power is left. If it indicates that power is already under 40%, then it is probably safer to insert a new battery for the day.

We’ve also heard of parent’s setting a reminder in their calendars for when it’s time to replace the batteries on their child’s hearing aids.  

 

“Tip for parents new to #hearingaids for their little ones – once we figured out how many days batteries last in his hearing aids, we set a reminder in Google Calendar for a day or two shorter to replace batteries and give his ear molds a deep cleaning. That way, he’s never left with an ear or two not fully amplified!” – Thanks to @johnsgunn for the great advice and photo! #lifeison #hearingloss #deafkidsrock #phonak

A photo posted by Phonak (@phonak) on Mar 24, 2016 at 7:25am PDT

If you’re looking for a new hearing aid for your child, Phonak’s newest pediatric hearing aid, Sky V, makes this battery guessing game even easier, by alerting parents and caregivers about battery life through an LED light.

The small LED light is on the top of the hearing aid, and begins to blink when the battery life decreases. Approximately 30 minutes before the battery dies completely the LED will start to blink – three times in succession. The LED will not provide any light when the battery runs out completely.

Presenting the indicator light, the newest feature of Phonak Sky V, visible from all sides #an16 #audiologynow16 pic.twitter.com/UoxFpwJWyU

— Phonak – Life is On (@phonak) April 14, 2016

If you’re interested in the new Sky V hearing aid, talk to your audiologist or learn more here.

Do you have a question for Anna? Email: feedback@hearinglikeme.com  

The information provided through this website should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. It is not a substitute for professional care. If you have or suspect you may have a health problem, you should consult your health care provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the Hearing Like Me website. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency medical services immediately.

• Author Details

Author Details

Anna Biggins

Anna is currently the Senior Audiology Manager at Phonak. She has worked in the field of audiology and hearing aids for 25 years, and is passionate about all things audiology.