Method for initializing a long-term-storage mode for a hearing instrument that exhibits a rechargeable battery cell, wherein for a long-term storage of the hearing instrument an upper limiting value (Vmax) of a parameter for a state of charge of the rechargeable battery cell is predetermined, wherein within the scope of an activation routine for long-term storage - an actual value (Vist), actually present, of the parameter for the state of charge of the battery cell is measured, - the measured actual value (Vist) of the parameter for the state of charge of the battery cell is compared with the upper limiting value (Vmax) of the parameter for the state of charge, and - in the case where the measured actual value (Vist) of the parameter lies above the upper limiting value (Vmax) for the parameter the battery cell is discharged at least until the parameter for the state of charge has reached the predetermined upper limiting value (Vmax), and the hearing instrument is placed into a long-term-storage mode, characterized in that - a utilization of the hearing instrument is checked repeatedly, and - the activation routine for long-term storage is initiated automatically as soon as no utilization of the hearing instrument has occurred for at least a first time-period. wherein for a long-term storage of the hearing instrument an upper limiting value (Vmax) of a parameter for a state of charge of the rechargeable battery cell is predetermined, wherein within the scope of an activation routine for long-term storage - an actual value (Vist), actually present, of the parameter for the state of charge of the battery cell is measured, - the measured actual value (Vist) of the parameter for the state of charge of the battery cell is compared with the upper limiting value (Vmax) of the parameter for the state of charge, and - in the case where the measured actual value (Vist) of the parameter lies above the upper limiting value (Vmax) for the parameter the battery cell is discharged at least until the parameter for the state of charge has reached the predetermined upper limiting value (Vmax), and the hearing instrument is placed into a long-term-storage mode, - an actual value (Vist), actually present, of the parameter for the state of charge of the battery cell is measured, - the measured actual value (Vist) of the parameter for the state of charge of the battery cell is compared with the upper limiting value (Vmax) of the parameter for the state of charge, and - in the case where the measured actual value (Vist) of the parameter lies above the upper limiting value (Vmax) for the parameter the battery cell is discharged at least until the parameter for the state of charge has reached the predetermined upper limiting value (Vmax), and the hearing instrument is placed into a long-term-storage mode, characterized in that - a utilization of the hearing instrument is checked repeatedly, and - the activation routine for long-term storage is initiated automatically as soon as no utilization of the hearing instrument has occurred for at least a first time-period. - a utilization of the hearing instrument is checked repeatedly, and - the activation routine for long-term storage is initiated automatically as soon as no utilization of the hearing instrument has occurred for at least a first time-period.