Northgate Hearing Services, Seattle WA » Hearing Aid Care

Hearing Aid Batteries Join the Green Revolution

Lori — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 02:42:33 +0000

Do you ever worry about the impact all those used hearing aid batteries have on our earth? In the past, the amounts of mercury and lead in these tiny objects posed great threats to the environment and recycling was often difficult to execute. However, battery manufacturers have recently made great strides to reduce hearing aid batteries’ risk to both humans and the environment.

A few of the major hearing aid manufacturers, Siemens and ReSound in particular, now offer some hearing aids that utilize rechargeable batteries. Now, you can “plug” your hearing aids in to charge every night along with your cell phone! These batteries last approximately one to two years before requiring replacement.

Just a few more battery care reminders:

1. Do not remove the tab from your batteries until you are going to use them. As soon the tab is removed, oxygen permeates the cell and there’s no going back.

2. Do not keep loose batteries in your purse or anywhere they can come in contact with other metals.

3. Keep batteries away from fire or heat (i.e. glove compartments on a hot summer day).

4. Make sure you turn your hearing aids off at night to conserve your batteries. Remember, after the tab has been removed the battery continues to drain even when your hearing aids are turned off, just at a lower rate than when turned on. That means that if you set your hearing aid aside for a month (nobody does that, do they?), the battery will most likely be dead when you try to use it later.

5. Store hearing aid batteries at room temperature in a dry place, not the refrigerator.

It’s so wonderful to see these new technologies come to market to help our planet and home. It’s even more wonderful when it helps make our lives richer through better hearing!

Pets and Hearing Aids- Don’t Let This Happen To You!

Lori — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 01:06:38 +0000

Patients often ask what kinds of ways their hearing aids might get damaged when they are considering various hearing aid insurance plans. One way that is surprisingly common is having them get chewed by their pets.

Your pet loves you and your own particular scent, which is also on your hearing aids. As a consequence, they are a natural magnet for your cat and/or dog. In order to keep them safe, it’s important to keep your hearing aids out of reach at all times, even when removed momentarily. You know how crafty pets can be! At night, store them in a closed box or dresser drawer in your bedroom. If you remove them throughout the day, perhaps have a couple closed containers in various rooms for convenient storage. Finally, call the National Battery Ingestion Hotline at (202) 625-3333 as soon as possible if your pet swallows a hearing aid battery in order to avoid esophogeal and gastric erosions. Keep your pets and hearing aids safe!

What Do I Do If My Hearing Aid Gets Wet?

Lori — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 04:47:10 +0000

When you are so comfortable with your hearing aids that you forget to take them out to shower, you have reached a milestone that

is shared by many others! Do not fret! There are things you can do to improve your odds of recovery. First, dry off the exterior of your hearing aid and earmold if applicable, remove the batteries and dry them off , and leave the battery doors open to dry for 24 hours.

DO NOT use a blow dryer, or put them in the oven or microwave. DO NOT try to take them apart. If they don’t recover after 24 hours, please contact our office. Two more things to remember: If your hearing aids are under loss and damage warranty, moisture related repairs are covered. Finally, a sign on your bathroom mirror reminding you to remove your hearing aids before showering helps until you get in the habit.