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“How to get more life out of hearing aid batteries” Boy’s Science fair project on hearing aid batteries…. By Dr. Richard Reikowski, Au.D and his son….. Family Hearing and Balance Center

high resolution 3D rendering of a green energy concept

We can all learn so much from children and their creativity, ingeniousness, and all around smarts! My son mentioned to me the other day that he learned by waiting 5 minutes after taking the tab off of a hearing aid battery, that the battery life is extended nearly 30% or more. I thought wow! Not only because this caught my attention but that my son found interest in this video as much as I did!

He is always looking up cool stuff about experiments and such! He was browsing YouTube and saw a science fair project whereby a 14 year old boy found that the hearing aid battery, as used in the toys Hexbugs ….. increased in life based on the amount of time that the battery is exposed to air, which is the active agent, before their use in a device. In this case a creepy crawly bug called Hex bug. This is pretty cool!!

I used to put batteries in our patients hearing devices immediately after taking the tab off  but now try and wait 5 minutes so that the batteries can receive their most sufficient charge, via airflow through the holes in the battery. I also try and remind all patients to do this as well. Hey, who wouldn’t want more battery life!

Hey kids….keep being scientific, creative, and exploring new things!!

 


 

Written by:
Rich
Published on:
March 13, 2017
Thoughts:
12 Comments

Categories: Blog Categories Go Here, Community Outreach, Hearing, Hearing Aids, Miscellaneous, New Technology, Patient care, Philosophy, Phone Numbers, Slider, Testimonials, Tinnitus, UncategorizedTags: American Tinnitus Association, ASHA American Speech and Hearing Association, ATA member, Audiologist, audiology, battery life of hearing aid batteries, Dr. Richard S. Reikowski, dr.richard reikowski, ear doctor, hearing aid batteries, Hearing Aids, Hearing Aids Summa Care, hearing doctor, hearing loss

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jen Subotnik

    March 13, 2017 at 1:48 pm

    I love everything about this! I’m sure he will help a lot of people with his discovery.

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    • Richard Reikowski

      March 14, 2017 at 2:30 pm

      Jen,
      Me too! I am hopeful that it will be helpful to many that use batteries for their hearing aids.

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  2. Marie

    March 13, 2017 at 1:50 pm

    Wow! That’s pretty neat. 5 minutes. Got it.
    Those bug toys are kind of crazy!

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    • Richard Reikowski

      March 14, 2017 at 2:30 pm

      Mary,
      Yes, it is neat! I think they are cool.

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  3. Kristie Dannemiller-Smith

    March 13, 2017 at 2:08 pm

    Good for him figuring this out! I have been telling all of my patients and most of them have seen an average 1-2 days more of battery life!!

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    • Richard Reikowski

      March 14, 2017 at 2:29 pm

      Kristie,
      Yes, it does help by allowing more air in and longer battery life.

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  4. Gail Reagan

    March 13, 2017 at 2:14 pm

    That’s great!! Keep experimenting and learning kids!!

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    • Richard Reikowski

      March 14, 2017 at 2:29 pm

      Thank you Gail! I agree.

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  5. Joanne Upton

    March 13, 2017 at 2:49 pm

    This is awesome – was very curious about what size battery he used for his bugs and of course those that wear hearing aids knew the Orange ones!!! Size 13. Have done experiments with regular size AA batteries because my kids went thru them like crazy and the Duracell do last longer than other brands.

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    • Richard Reikowski

      March 14, 2017 at 2:28 pm

      Thanks Joanne! I am thinking size #13. Orange.

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  6. Amy

    April 7, 2017 at 4:27 pm

    Smart kid!

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    • Richard Reikowski

      April 13, 2017 at 1:02 pm

      Yes, he sure is a smart kid!

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