Does it seem as if your hearing aid batteries die way too quickly? Here are some surprising reasons that may happen.
So how far should the charge on my hearing aid battery go? The standard hearing aid battery lasts anywhere from 3 to 7 days.
That’s a very wide range. But it’s so wide that it’s unpredictable and could leave you in a bind.
You could be on day 4 at the supermarket store. All of a sudden, you can’t hear anything. The cashier is talking to you but you don’t hear what they are saying.
Or, you’re out for lunch with friends on day 5. Suddenly, you find yourself feeling very alone because you can no longer follow what your friends are saying.
Maybe you go to your grandchild’s school to see a play. And the kid’s singing disappears. But it’s only day 2. Yes, occasionally they even die before the 3rd day.
It’s more than inconvenient. You’re missing out on life because you’re not sure how much juice you have left in your hearing aids.
Here are 7 likely causes if your hearing aid batteries drain quickly.
Moisture can drain a battery
Producing moisture through our skin is one thing that human beings do that most other species don’t. It’s a cooling mechanism. It also cleans the blood of excess toxins and sodium. On top of this, you may live in a rainy humid climate where things get even wetter.
The air vent in your device can become plugged by this extra moisture which can result in less efficient functionality. It can even kill the battery directly by interacting with the chemicals that produce electricity.
Here are a few steps you can take to avoid moisture-caused battery drain:
- If you’re storing your hearing aids for a prolonged time period, remove the batteries
- Don’t store your hearing aids in the bathroom or kitchen
- Use a dehumidifier
- Before you go to bed, open up the battery door
State-of-the-art hearing aid features can run down batteries
Even 10 years ago, hearing aids were much less helpful for individuals with hearing loss than current devices. But when these advanced functions are in use, they can be a draw on battery power.
That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use these amazing features. But be aware that the battery will drain faster if you spend all day streaming music from your cellphone to your hearing aids.
All these added features, like Bluetooth, tinnitus relief, or multichannel, can drain the battery more quickly.
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 especially true. When flying, climbing, or skiing remember to bring some spares.
Maybe the batteries aren’t actually drained
Many hearing aids will warn you when the batteries need to be replaced. These warnings, as a general rule, aren’t telling you that your batteries are dead, they’re just a heads up. 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 stop the alarm. There may be hours or even days of juice left.
Incorrect handling of batteries
You should never pull off the little tab from the battery before you’re ready to use it. Hand oil or dirt can be an issue for batteries so wash up before you handle them. Never freeze hearing aid batteries. It doesn’t increase their life as it might with other types of batteries.
Hearing aids will drain faster if you mishandle them in these ways.
Overstocking on batteries isn’t a good plan
Buying in bulk is often a smart money choice when you can afford to do it. But you can anticipate that the last several batteries in the pack won’t last as long. Try to stick with a 6-month supply or less unless you’re fine with the waste.
Online battery vendors
This isn’t a broad criticism of buying stuff online. You can get some great deals. But you will also come across some less honest sellers 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 expiration dates. When you buy milk, you wouldn’t forget to check the date it expires. The same goes with batteries. Be certain that the date is well in the future to get the most usage out of the pack.
If you purchase your batteries at a hearing aid center or pharmacy, the expiration date will be on the labeling, but if you are going to shop on the internet make sure the vendor states when the batteries will expire. Make sure you check reviews to be certain you’re buying from a reputable source.
Hearing aid batteries drain quickly no longer
There are several reasons that hearing aid batteries might drain quickly. But you can get more power from each battery by taking little precautions. You may also think about rechargeable hearing aids if you’re in the market for a new set. You dock these hearing aids on a charger each night for an entire day of hearing the next day. Every few years, you will have to replace the rechargeable batteries.