The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports, “In 2019, 7.1% of adults aged 45 and over used a hearing aid.” Most hearing aids take disposable button batteries, and if yours do, it’s important to know what to do with the used ones. We review everything you need to know about recycling used hearing aid batteries below.
Why Should I Recycle Batteries?
Throwing used batteries into the trash contributes to pollution. Zinc-air button batteries contain mercuric oxide and silver. In time, the outer casings of batteries corrode, releasing the heavy metals into the soil, which then seeps into the groundwater.
Also, trash containing batteries that are burned can release harmful smoke into the air, which can lead to health problems for both people and animals.
Although it may seem like a small amount of pollution, if everyone throws their batteries into landfills, the effect will be huge.
How Do I Recycle My Used Batteries?
In order to recycle your hearing aid batteries, avoid simply throwing them in your recycling bin. You need to take them to [Liberty Waste & Recycling in Long Grove.
You can also ask local jewelry stores and large retailers if they accept hearing aid batteries as part of their recycling programs, or you can look for a national recycling organization online.
Are Rechargeable Batteries an Option?
You can talk to your audiologist at North Shore Audio-Vestibular Lab about hearing aids that utilize rechargeable batteries rather than disposable ones. These are made of lithium-ion and built into the device. You simply dock your hearing aids on their charger each night while you’re sleeping to ensure you can hear all day long.
These batteries are made to last as long as your hearing aids, and when it’s time for new devices or batteries, you’ll simply trade your hearing aids back to your audiologist, who can take care of recycling the batteries.
This option is more environmentally friendly, and it can also be good for your wallet, saving you on the cost of buying batteries every few days or weeks.
To learn more about hearing aid batteries or to schedule an appointment with a hearing aid expert, call North Shore Audio-Vestibular Lab today.