Does it seem like your hearing aid batteries die way too fast? There are several reasons why this may be happening that might be surprising.
How long should hearing aid batteries last? From 3 to 7 days is the standard time-frame for charge to last.
That’s a very wide range. But it’s so wide that it’s unpredictable and could leave you in trouble.
You might be on day 4 at the grocery store. All of a sudden, 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 hear the conversation and it’s leaving you feeling rather alone.
Maybe you go to your grandchild’s school to see a play. You can no longer hear the kids singing. But it’s only day 2. Yes, they even occasionally drain after a couple of days.
It isn’t just inconvenient. You have no idea how much power is left and it’s causing you to miss out on life.
If your hearing aid batteries die too quickly, look to these seven possible causes.
Moisture can drain a battery
Did you realize that human beings are one of the few species that produce moisture through their skin? You do it to cool down. It also helps clear the blood of excess toxins and sodium. In addition, you may live in a humid or rainy environment where things get even wetter.
The air vent in your device can get plugged by this excess moisture which can cause less efficient performance. It can even drain the battery directly by interacting with the chemicals that make electricity.
Prevent battery drain caused by moisture using these steps:
- Don’t keep your hearing aids in the kitchen or bathroom
- Before you go to bed, open the battery door
- If you’re storing your hearing aids for a prolonged time period, take out the batteries
- A dehumidifier is helpful
Advanced hearing aid functions can run down batteries
Even 10 years ago, hearing aids were a lot less helpful for people with hearing loss than current devices. But when these advanced functions are being used, they can be a draw on battery power.
Don’t quit using your favorite features. But be aware that the battery will die faster if you spend hours streaming music from your phone to your hearing aids.
All these added functions, like Bluetooth, tinnitus relief, or multichannel, can drain the battery more quickly.
Batteries can be affected 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. Make sure you bring some spares if you’re in the mountains or on an aircraft.
Is the battery actually drained?
Many hearing aids will warn you when the batteries need to be replaced. As a general rule, these warnings are giving you a “heads up”. They aren’t telling you the battery is dead. Moreover, sometimes an environmental change in altitude or humidity briefly causes the charge to dip and the low battery alarm will sound.
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
You should never remove the little tab from the battery if you’re not ready to use it. Hand oil or dirt can be an issue for batteries so wash up before you handle them. Don’t ever freeze hearing aid batteries. It doesn’t increase their life as it might with other kinds of batteries.
Hearing aids will drain faster if you mishandle them in these ways.
Buying a year’s supply of batteries isn’t a good idea
It’s usually a practical financial decision to buy in bulk. 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 automatically a bad idea to purchase things on the internet. You can get some really good deals. But some less honest individuals will sell batteries on the internet that are very near to the expiration date. Or even worse, it has already passed.
Both alkaline (AA, AAA, etc.) and zinc hearing aid batteries have an expiration date. You wouldn’t buy milk without looking at when it expires. The same goes with batteries. In order to get the most out of your battery, make sure the date is well into the future.
If you purchase your batteries at a hearing aid store or pharmacy, the expiration date will be on the packaging, but if you’re going to shop online be sure the vendor specifies when the batteries will expire. Make sure you look for reviews to be certain you’re buying from a reputable source.
Hearing aid batteries drain quickly no more
There are several reasons that hearing aid batteries might drain quickly. But you can get more energy from each battery by taking small precautions. You might also think about rechargeable hearing aids if you’re in the market for a new pair. You will get a full day of power after every night of recharging. The rechargeable batteries only have to be replaced every few years.
