4/29/2023 0 Comments Rayovac batteries![]() ![]() After you take the tab off, the voltage will rise enough to power a hearing aid within one minute, but the entire cell could take as long as 24 hours to rise to the maximum 1.45 volts. Although the package of most batteries will state 1.45 volts, the fact of the matter is that batteries that are still tabbed on the shelf will measure anywhere from 1.1 to 1.3 volts if you were to test them with a volt meter. Voltage is another thing that should be explained. ![]() Schematic of oxygen activation of a zinc-air battery. That is important because it allows the voltage in the battery to rise and ensure that you will not have start-up problems with the hearing aid.įigure 2. We always recommend that you let the battery sit for a full minute before you insert it into the device and shut the door. After the tab is removed, the battery literally requires a moment to “catch its breath.” As air starts to enter the battery, it becomes able to be activated. Comparison of the amount of zinc contained in button batteries versus hearing aid batteries.Īs I indicated earlier, removing the sticky tab activates the battery as air enters through the holes (Figure 2). The more zinc available in the battery means longer life.įigure 1. However, since zinc-air uses oxygen from the atmosphere as one of its reactants, it frees a large amount of internal space to allow for more zinc (Figure 1). Virtually all battery or cell systems store their positive and negative reactive components inside the cell. Zinc-air batteries have a much higher capacity-to-volume ratio, sometimes known as energy density, than other types of batteries. Other products that use button cell batteries, such as watches, do not require the same sort of power that hearing devices do. That is especially important when you are talking about very small instruments like hearing aids. Why does zinc-air chemistry make sense for hearing aid batteries? Most importantly, zinc-air batteries provide longer life and more energy than any other type of battery or cell system. Battery performance, and ultimately hearing aid performance, can be sensitive to the environment, whether we are talking about temperature or the amount of moisture in the air, known as humidity. Another is that zinc-air batteries are best used soon and consistently after activation, because the battery begins to discharge as soon as that tab is removed it is impossible to stop that discharge from occurring once you have removed that tab. Some of the more noticeable ones would be the need for a tab or sticker to seal the vent holes in the battery and prevent dry out. There are some other unique aspects that make zinc-air batteries different from other types of batteries. Since that is the case, it is very important for us to have relationships with the hearing instrument manufacturers to ensure that batteries work properly in their devices and vice-versa. ![]() This technology is used almost exclusively in hearing aid battery applications. What is zinc-air technology? As the name implies, zinc-air technology uses oxygen from the atmosphere as an active ingredient. After completing this training, you should be able to understand how a zinc-air hearing aid battery functions, explain factors that affect the life of a zinc-air battery, and most importantly, counsel with your patients on things like battery life expectations, proper care and use of hearing aid batteries, and lastly, determine and resolve when a patient has a battery issue versus an issue with their hearing instrument. Kevin Kouba: Today we are going to talk about some important things for you to know to ensure patient satisfaction with hearing aid batteries. Download supplemental course materials: slides and reference guide. This is a transcript of a Rayovac webinar on AudiologyOnline. ![]()
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