If you suffer from hearing loss and wear hearing aids, you’ve likely wondered what you’re supposed to do with your old hearing aid batteries. Proper disposal is necessary, as these batteries contain certain toxins that may harm the environment.
To ensure that you know what to do with your used batteries once it’s time to change them, let’s take a moment to discuss the proper protocol for disposing of them. Keep in mind that the laws in your state may differ from others. If you’re unsure as to what to do, talk to your hearing aid provider for more information.
What Do You Do With a Dead Hearing Aid Battery? Rechargeable hearing aid batteries, like lithium-ion, should be taken to a recycling center to ensure that they are handled correctly. You can take your hearing aid batteries directly to these centers or ask your provider if they have recycling programs available.
Although lithium-ion batteries don’t contain mercury, they are among the most unwanted items in the recycling industry due to their high risk of fire.
People who wear hearing aids need to make sure that they are recycling their hearing aid batteries as directed. Zinc-air batteries, for example, are actually illegal to throw away in the trash in certain states due to their mercury content.
Why Recycling Is So Important
Mercury is known to be particularly dangerous to the nervous system. Improper disposal can put others at risk, as inhaling mercury vapor can harm the lungs and affect the immune system, among many other dangers. What’s more, mercury contains inorganic salts that can corrode the skin if contact is made.
Many rechargeable battery types contain dangerous chemicals that must be handled correctly. This is why recycling is so important. Simply pitching your used hearing aid batteries in the trash is not just irresponsible; it’s potentially very dangerous.
Take the time to reach out to the right people so you’ll know where to take your old batteries moving forward. And when you’re ready to upgrade to new hearing aids, consider upcycling your old pair so that someone in need may benefit from them. Unfortunately, not everyone is able to afford hearing aids.
Hearing loss affect many people. By taking part in upcycling programs, you can let the less fortunate use your old hearing aids. This is all part of the recycling system that not only ensures the safe disposal of old batteries but of old hearing aids, as well.
If you have any questions about proper battery disposal or you want to ensure that someone else can use your old hearing aids, contact your hearing care provider and ask how you can get involved.
Get the Most Out of Your Hearing Aid Batteries
You can prolong the life of a hearing aid battery by practicing proper care. It’s important to keep your hearing aids and their batteries in a cool, dry place when they’re not being used. If you don’t plan to use them for an extended period of time, take the batteries out and make sure they are stored in an environment that is free of moisture and extreme temperatures.
You need to strive to keep your hearing aids clean and free of buildup. The longer you use your hearing aids, the more prone they are to accumulate buildup and debris. With the right care, you will find that your batteries last longer and you don’t have to buy new ones quite as often. Being diligent in your care will ensure that you get the most out of your hearing aids.
How Do You Properly Dispose of Batteries?
As long as your used battery isn’t rechargeable (i.e., alkaline, carbon-zinc, or manganese), you don’t need to worry about recycling. If, however, your used batteries are lithium-ion or another rechargeable type, you should recycle them using the proper channels.
If you can’t find a place to recycle your hearing aid batteries, feel free to contact your local county offices. Someone should be able to point you in the right direction as to where you can recycle your batteries.
Knowing what to do with your hearing aids and their batteries will go a long way in helping the environment. Proper battery care needs to be taken seriously to ensure the health and safety of both people and the planet. Moreover, you can look forward to your batteries lasting longer while saving money.
