Do your hearing aid batteries seem to die faster than they should? There are numerous reasons why this may be happening that might be unexpected.
So how far should the charge on my hearing aid battery go? The ordinary hearing aid battery lasts anywhere from 3 to 7 days.
That range is rather wide. So wide, in fact, that it’s unpredictable and leaves you in a serious predicament.
You may be at the store on day 4. Unexpectedly, your sound cuts out. The cashier is talking to you but you can’t hear what they are saying.
Or, you’re out for dinner with friends on day 5. All of a sudden, you can’t follow the conversation and it’s leaving you feeling rather alone.
Now, you’re at your grandson’s school play. You can no longer hear the kids singing. Wait, it’s only day 2. Yes, occasionally they even drain before that 3-day mark.
It’s not simply inconvenient. You’re losing 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, check out these seven possible causes.
Moisture can drain a battery
Releasing moisture through our skin is one thing that humans do that the majority of other species don’t. You do it to cool down. You do it to get rid of extra sodium or toxins in the blood. In addition, you might live in a humid or rainy climate where things get even wetter.
The air vent in your device can get plugged by this excess moisture which can result in less efficient functionality. It can even drain the battery directly by interacting with the chemicals that produce electricity.
Avoid battery drain related to moisture using these steps:
- Store your hearing aids in a spot where moisture is at a minimum
- Use a dehumidifier
- Take the batteries out if you’re storing them for several days
- Before going to bed, open the battery door
Sophisticated modern features are power intensive
Even a decade ago, hearing aids were much less helpful for people with hearing loss than modern devices. But when these advanced features are in use, they can be a draw on battery power.
That doesn’t mean you should stop using these amazing features. But be aware that the battery will die faster if you spend hours streaming music from your cellphone to your hearing aids.
All these extra functions, like Bluetooth, tinnitus relief, or multichannel, can drain the battery more quickly.
Batteries can be impacted by altitude changes
Your batteries can be drained quickly when you have a quick climb in altitude, and if they’re already low this is especially true. When flying, skiing, or climbing always takes some spares.
Is the battery really drained?
Some hearing aids tell you when the battery is getting low. Generally, these warnings are giving you a “heads up”. They aren’t telling you the battery is dead. Additionally, you may get a warning when the charge drops due to an altitude or humidity change.
Take out the hearing aids and reset them to quiet the alarm. You may be able to get several more hours or even days from that battery.
Incorrect handling of batteries
Wait until you’re ready to use the battery before you remove the protective tab. Always wash your hands before handling your hearing aids or batteries so you don’t get hand oil or dirt on them. Don’t ever freeze hearing aid batteries. It doesn’t extend their life as it might with other types of batteries.
Basic handling errors like these can make hearing aid batteries drain quickly.
Overstocking on batteries isn’t a good plan
Buying in bulk is often a smart money choice when you can afford it. But you can anticipate that the last several batteries in the pack will drain faster. It can be a waste to purchase any more than a 6 month supply.
Online battery vendors
We’re not suggesting it’s automatically a bad idea to purchase things online. You can find lots of bargains. But some less honest people will sell batteries online that are very near to the expiration date. Or worse, it has already gone by.
Both alkaline (AA, AAA, etc.) and zinc hearing aid batteries have an expiration date. You wouldn’t purchase milk without checking when it expires. The same goes with batteries. Make sure that the date is far enough in the future to get the most usage out of the pack.
If the website doesn’t state an expiration date, message the seller, or buy batteries at a pharmacy or hearing aid center where you can see it on the packaging. Only purchase batteries from trustworthy sources.
The batteries in hearing aids no longer drain quickly
There are several reasons that hearing aid batteries could drain quickly. But by taking small precautions you can get more energy from each battery. You might also think about rechargeable hearing aids if you’re shopping for a new set. You put these hearing aids on a charger each night for a full day of hearing the next day. The rechargeable batteries only need to be replaced every few years.