Gilberts Audiology & Hearing Aid Center - Oklahoma

Man touching hearing aids that stopped working because the batteries drained.

Do you feel like your hearing aid batteries are not keeping a charge as long as they should? Here are some unexpected reasons that might occur. What is the average period of time that your hearing aid batteries should stay charged? Between 3 to 7 days is normal. That’s a really wide range. So wide, actually, that it’s unpredictable and leaves you in a challenging predicament. You could be on day 4 at the grocery store when unexpectedly, things get quiet and you can’t hear the cashier. Or maybe on day 5, you’re enjoying a conversation with friends when you suddenly feel very alone because you can’t participate because you can’t hear. Occasionally the batteries don’t even make 3 days. Like when you’re watching TV on day 2 and suddenly you can’t hear the show your watching. It isn’t just inconvenient. You’re missing out on life because you’re not sure how much battery power is left in your hearing aids. If your hearing aid batteries are draining too fast, there are a few likely culprits.

Moisture Can Deplete a Battery

There aren’t many species that release moisture through their skin but humans do. We do it to cool down. It’s the body’s way of ridding the blood of sodium and toxins. On top of this, you may live in a rainy or humid climate where things are even more moist. The air vent in your hearing aid can get clogged by this added moisture and it will be less reliable. Moisture can also mix with the chemicals of the battery causing it to drain faster. You can avoid moisture-related battery drainage with these measures:

  • Open the battery door when you store the hearing aids
  • Don’t keep your hearing aids in the bathroom, kitchen or other damp environments
  • if your storing them for a few days or more, remove the batteries
  • Obtain a dehumidifier for your hearing aids

Batteries Can be Drained by Advanced Hearing Aid Functions

Modern digital hearing aids help people hear a lot better than ones that you could get just 10 years ago. But if you’re not paying attention, these advanced functions can cause faster battery drain. You can still use your favorite features. But remember, you will have to change the battery sooner if you are streaming music from your phone for hours. Bluetooth, multichannel, tinnitus relief, noise canceling — all of these additional features can deplete your battery.

Altitude Changes Can Impact Batteries Too

Moving from a low to high altitude can sap your batteries, specifically if they’re on their older. Bring some spare batteries if you are going on a plane or high up into the mountains.

It’s Possible That The Batteries Aren’t Really Low

Some hearing aids let you know when the battery is running low. Generally, these warnings are giving you a “heads up”. It doesn’t mean you have a depleted battery. Also, the charge can sometimes dip briefly due to altitude or environmental changes and that can trigger a false low battery warning. Take the hearing aids out and reset them to stop the alarm. The battery might last several more hours or even days.

Handling Batteries Improperly

You should not remove the little tab from the battery before you’re ready to use it. Avoid getting skin oil and dirt on your hearing aid by washing your hands before touching them. Hearing aid batteries should not be frozen. This technique might increase the life of some types of battery but it doesn’t work with hearing aid batteries. Basic handling mistakes like these can make hearing aid batteries drain faster.

It’s Not a Good Plan to Purchase a Year’s Supply of Batteries

Buying in bulk is typically a smart money move when you can afford to do it. But the last few batteries in the pack most likely won’t have full power. Unless you don’t mind wasting a few, try to stick to a six month supply.

Shopping For Hearing Aid Batteries on The Web

This isn’t an over-all criticism of buying stuff on the internet. You can get some good deals. But some less scrupulous people will sell batteries on the internet that are very close to the expiration date. They might even be past their expiration date. So you need to be cautious.
Both alkaline (AA, AAA, etc.) and zinc hearing aid batteries have an expiration date. You shouldn’t buy milk without looking at the expiration date. You need to use the same amount of care with batteries. Be sure that the date is well in the future so that you can get the most use out of the pack. It’s probably a good idea to message the vendor if you don’t see an expiration date or better yet, come see us for your battery needs. Only buy batteries from reliable sources.

Today You Can Get Rechargeable Hearing Aids

There are a number of reasons that hearing batteries might drain rapidly. But by taking some precautions you can get more energy out of each battery. You might also consider rechargeable hearing aids if you’re going to buy a new set. If you charge them at night, you get a full day of power the next day. And you only need to replace them every few years.

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The site information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. To receive personalized advice or treatment, schedule an appointment.
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