Does it seem like your hearing aid batteries drain way too quickly? Here are some surprising reasons that might happen.
So how long should the charge on my hearing aid battery go? The standard hearing aid battery lasts anywhere from 3 to 7 days.
That range is rather wide. But it’s so wide that it’s unpredictable and may leave you in a bind.
You could be at the store on day 4. Out of the blue, you can’t hear anything. The cashier is speaking to you but you don’t hear what they are saying.
Or it’s day 5. You’re appreciating a night out with friends. All of a sudden, you can’t follow the discussion and it’s leaving you feeling rather alone.
Now, you’re at your grandchild’s school play. You can no longer hear the kids singing. But it’s only day 2. Yes, sometimes they even die before that 3-day mark.
It’s more than inconvenient. You’re missing out on life because you’re not sure how much juice is left in your hearing aids.
If your hearing aid batteries die too quickly, look to these seven possible culprits.
Moisture can drain a battery
Did you know that humans are one of the few species that release moisture through their skin? You do it to cool down. You do it to remove extra sodium or toxins in the blood. Your battery may be exposed to even more moisture if you live in a humid or rainy setting.
The air vent in your device can get clogged by this extra moisture which can cause less efficient functionality. It can even interact with the chemicals that produce electricity causing it to drain even faster.
Avoid battery drain related to moisture using these steps:
- If you’re storing your hearing aids for an extended period of time, take out the batteries
- Don’t keep your hearing aids in the bathroom or kitchen
- Open the battery door before storing the hearing aids
- Get a dehumidifier
Sophisticated modern features are power intensive
Modern digital hearing aids help individuals hear so much better than ones that came out just 10 years ago. But when these sophisticated functions are in use, they can be a draw on battery power.
Don’t stop using your favorite features. But just know that if you stream music for hours from your smartphone to your hearing aids, you’ll need to change the battery sooner.
Noise-canceling, Bluetooth, multichannel, tinnitus relief — all of these added functions can drain your battery.
Batteries can be impacted by altitude changes
Your batteries can be quickly depleted when you have a quick climb in altitude, and if they’re already low this is particularly true. Be certain that you bring some spares if you are in the mountains or on a plane.
Is the battery actually drained?
Some hearing aids tell you when the battery is getting low. Generally, these warnings are giving you a “heads up”. They’re not telling you the battery is dead. On top of this, sometimes an environmental change in altitude or humidity temporarily causes the charge to drop and the low battery alarm will sound.
You can turn off the alarm by removing and resetting your hearing aid. You may be able to get several more hours or even days out of that battery.
Incorrect handling of batteries
You should never remove the little tab from the battery if you’re not ready to use it. Always wash your hands before handling your hearing aids or batteries so you don’t get hand oil or dirt on them. Never freeze hearing aid batteries. This may increase the life of other batteries but that’s not the case with hearing aid batteries.
Hearing aids will drain more quickly if you mishandle them in these ways.
Overstocking on batteries isn’t a good plan
Purchasing in bulk is usually a smart money decision when you can afford to do it. But you can anticipate that the last few batteries in the pack won’t last as long. It can be a waste to purchase any more than a 6 month supply.
internet battery vendors
We’re not suggesting it’s necessarily a bad idea to buy things online. You can find lots of bargains. But you will also find some less honest vendors who will sell batteries that are close to or even past their expiration date.
Both alkaline (AA, AAA, etc.) and zinc hearing aid batteries have an expiration date. You wouldn’t purchase milk without checking the expiration. You shouldn’t do that with batteries either. If you want to get the most from your battery, be certain the date is well into the future.
If you buy your batteries at a hearing aid store or pharmacy, the expiration date will be on the labeling, but if you are going to shop online make sure the seller states when the batteries will expire. Only buy batteries from reliable sources.
Hearing aid batteries drain quickly no more
There are numerous reasons that hearing aid batteries may drain quickly. But you can get more energy from each battery by taking little precautions. And if you’re thinking of an upgrade, consider rechargeable hearing aids. You dock these hearing aids on a charger every night for an entire day of hearing tomorrow. The rechargeable batteries only have to be replaced every few years.