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Hearing aid battery safetyIf you use disposable hearing aid button batteries, follow smart safety rules
Contributed by Debbie Clason, staff writer, Healthy Hearing Hearing aids are powered either by rechargeable batteries or small, disposable "button" batteries. Although rechargeable hearing aids are quickly becoming the more popular battery option, many people still use hearing aids with disposable batteries. These batteries keep hearing aids working at their optimum performance, but did you know they can cause serious injury or death if they’re not handled properly? ![]() away from children and pets. Batteries contain mercury, silver, lithium and other heavy metals as their main component. When these chemicals are ingested and come in contact with body fluids, they create an electrical current which can burn through tissue and seriously damage internal organs in as little as two hours’ time. When you handle a leaking battery, it can cause serious burns immediately. This is true no matter if the batteries are fully charged or no longer power your hearing aids. Storing your disposable hearing aid batteries safelyNow that you know, you can see why it’s important to keep your hearing aid batteries safe from little hands or inquisitive pets. If you have small children or animals in your house, it’s important to find a safe place to store your batteries. Here are some dos and don’ts:
How to properly discard your batteriesWhen you change your hearing aid batteries, be sure to place them in a child- and pet-proof container immediately until you can take them to a recycling center. Do not leave them on a counter or throw them in the trash can. Batteries are recyclableBecause of the valuable metals these batteries contain, they’re extremely recyclable. Those same contents make them extremely hazardous if you simply throw them in the trash. Over time, the batteries can leak these hazardous chemicals and contaminate the environment. Recycling centers extract the dangerous chemicals and discard the remaining contents, which are safe for landfills. In this day and age, it’s likely there are more than a few battery recycling collection centers in your community. If you aren’t already aware of their location, check with your hearing center. Swallowed a battery?
If you or a loved one has accidentally swallowed a button battery, seek medical care immediately. More on the dangers of swallowing button batteries. Time is of the essence in this situation. Acid burnSometimes, batteries can leak acid that can burn your skin. If you receive an acid burn when handling your hearing aid batteries:
Debbie Clason, staff writer, Healthy Hearing
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