Does it seem like your hearing aid batteries drain way too quickly? There are numerous reasons why this might be happening that may be unexpected.
So how far should the charge on my hearing aid battery last? The standard hearing aid battery lasts anywhere between 3 and 7 days.
That range is pretty wide. So wide, in fact, that it’s unpredictable and leaves you in a serious predicament.
You could be on day 4 at the supermarket store. Unexpectedly, your sound cuts out. You don’t hear the cashier.
Or, you’re out for lunch with friends on day 5. Suddenly, you find yourself feeling very alone because you can no longer hear what your friends are saying.
Perhaps you go to your grandchild’s school to watch a play. You can no longer hear the children singing. But it’s only day 2. Yes, they even sometimes drain after a couple of days.
It’s more than inconvenient. You have no idea how much juice is left and it’s causing you to miss out on life.
Here are 7 possible causes if your hearing aid batteries die quickly.
Moisture can drain a battery
Producing moisture through our skin is one thing that human beings do that the majority of other species don’t. You do it to cool down. It also cleans the blood of excess toxins and sodium. In addition, you may live in a rainy humid environment where things get even wetter.
This excess moisture can clog the air vent in your device, making hearing aids less efficient. It can even kill the battery directly by interacting with the chemicals that make electricity.
Here are several steps you can take to avoid moisture-caused battery drain:
- Don’t keep your hearing aids in the bathroom or kitchen
- Take the batteries out if you’re storing them for a few days
- Use a dehumidifier
- Before going to bed, open the battery door
Sophisticated modern features are power intensive
Even a decade ago, hearing aids were a lot less helpful for individuals with hearing loss than current devices. But these extra functions can cause batteries to drain more quickly if you’re not watching.
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 phone to your hearing aids.
All these added features, like Bluetooth, tinnitus relief, or multichannel, can drain the battery faster.
Batteries can be impacted by altitude changes
Going from a low to high altitude can drain your batteries, especially if they’re on their last leg. When flying, climbing, or skiing always takes some spares.
Is the battery really drained?
Many hearing aids will warn you when the batteries need to be changed. Generally, these warnings are giving you a “heads up”. They’re not telling you the battery is dead. Additionally, you may get a warning when the charge takes a dip because of 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 out of that battery.
Handling the batteries improperly
Wait until it’s time to use the battery before you pull off the protective tab. Hand oil or dirt can be a problem 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 kinds of batteries.
Basic handling mistakes like these can make hearing aid batteries drain quickly.
Overstocking on batteries isn’t a good plan
Buying in bulk is usually a smart money choice when you can afford it. But as you get toward the end of the pack, the last few batteries likely won’t last as long. Try to stick with a 6-month supply or less unless you’re okay with the waste.
Buying hearing aid batteries online
This isn’t a broad criticism of buying 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 expiration dates. When you buy milk, you wouldn’t forget to look at the date it expires. You shouldn’t forget to check the date on batteries either. In order to get the most out of your battery, make sure the date is well into the future.
If the website doesn’t state an expiration date, send the online vendor a message, or buy batteries at a pharmacy or hearing aid center where you can see it on the box. Only purchase batteries from trustworthy sources.
Hearing aid batteries drain quickly no longer
Hearing aid batteries might drain faster for several reasons. But you can get more energy from each battery by taking little precautions. You may also think about rechargeable hearing aids if you’re shopping for a new pair. You dock these hearing aids on a charger every night for a full day of hearing tomorrow. The rechargeable batteries only need to be swapped out every few years.
