Does it seem as if your hearing aid batteries die way too fast? Here are some surprising reasons that may occur.
How long should hearing aid batteries last? From 3 to 7 days is the typical time-frame for charge to last.
That range is rather wide. But it’s so wide that it’s unpredictable and may leave you in a bind.
You may be at market on day 4. All of a sudden, you can’t hear anything. You can’t hear the cashier.
Or it’s day 5. You’re enjoying a night out with friends. All of a sudden, you can’t follow the conversation and it’s leaving you feeling rather alone.
Perhaps 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’s more than annoying. You have no idea how much power is left and it’s causing you to miss out on life.
If your hearing aid batteries drain too quickly, look to these seven possible causes.
Your Battery can be drained by moisture
Did you know that humans are one of the few species that discharge moisture through their skin? It’s a cooling mechanism. You do it to eliminate excess sodium or toxins in the blood. On top of this, you might live in a humid or rainy climate where things get even wetter.
The air vent in your device can get clogged by this excess moisture which can cause less efficient performance. It can even interact with the chemicals that make electricity causing it to drain even faster.
Here are a few steps you can take to avoid moisture-caused battery drain:
- A dehumidifier can be helpful
- Store your hearing aids in a place where moisture is minimum
- Don’t leave the batteries in if you’re storing them for several days
- Open the battery door before you store your hearing aids
Advanced modern features are power intensive
Modern digital hearing aids help people hear so much better than ones that came out just 10 years ago. But these extra functions can cause batteries to drain faster if you’re not paying attention.
Don’t stop using your favorite features. But just know that if you stream music all day from your smartphone to your hearing aids, you’ll need to replace the battery sooner.
Noise-canceling, Bluetooth, multichannel, tinnitus relief — all of these added functions can drain your battery.
Batteries can be affected by altitude changes
Going from a low to high altitude can drain your batteries, particularly if they’re low already. When flying, skiing, or climbing remember to bring some spares.
Is the battery really drained?
Many hearing aids will warn you when the batteries need to be replaced. Generally, these warnings are giving you a “heads up”. They aren’t telling you the battery is dead. Additionally, you might get a warning when the charge drops due to an altitude or humidity change.
Take the hearing aids out and reset them to quiet the alarm. There may be hours or even days of power left.
Improper handling of batteries
Wait until you’re ready to use the battery before you pull off the protective tab. Hand oil or dirt can be an issue for batteries so wash up before handling them. Don’t ever freeze hearing aid batteries. This may extend the life of other batteries but it doesn’t work with hearing aid batteries.
Simple handling mistakes like these can make hearing aid batteries drain quickly.
Purchasing a year’s supply of batteries isn’t a good idea
It’s often a wise financial decision to buy in bulk. But as you get toward the end of the pack, the last several batteries likely won’t last as long. Try to limit yourself to a 6-month supply or less unless you’re okay with the waste.
Buying hearing aid batteries from the internet
This isn’t a broad criticism of buying stuff on the internet. You can get some great deals. But you will also find some less honest sellers who will sell batteries that are close to or even past their expiration date.
Most kinds of batteries, including hearing aid batteries, have expiration dates. When you purchase milk, you wouldn’t forget to check the date it expires. The same goes with batteries. In order to get the most out of your battery, be certain the date is well into the future.
If the website doesn’t declare an expiration date, send the online vendor a message, or purchase batteries at a pharmacy or hearing aid store where you can see it on the box. Make sure you look for reviews to be certain you’re buying from a trustworthy source.
The batteries in hearing aids no longer drain quickly
There are several reasons that hearing aid batteries might drain quickly. But by taking small precautions you can get more energy out of each battery. And if you’re thinking of an upgrade, consider rechargeable hearing aids. 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.