Does it seem like your hearing aid batteries die way too fast? Here are some surprising reasons that might occur.
How long should hearing aid batteries last? From 3 to 7 days is the standard amount of time for charge to last.
That’s a very wide range. But it’s so wide that it’s unpredictable and may leave you in a bind.
You might be on day 4 at the grocery store. Suddenly, things get quiet. The cashier is talking to you but you can’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 hear the conversation.
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, sometimes they even drain before that 3-day mark.
It isn’t only inconvenient. You have no idea how much juice is left and it’s causing you to miss out on life.
Here are 7 possible culprits 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. You do it to eliminate excess sodium or toxins in the blood. Your battery may be subjected to even more moisture if you live in a humid or rainy setting.
This extra moisture can clog up the air vent in your device, affecting the hearing aid’s efficiency. It can even kill the battery directly by interacting with the chemicals that make electricity.
Prevent battery drain caused by moisture with these steps:
- Take the batteries out if you’re storing them for several days
- Open the battery door before you store your hearing aids
- Use a dehumidifier
- Don’t keep your hearing aids in the bathroom or kitchen
Advanced hearing aid functions can drain batteries
Modern digital hearing aids help individuals hear so much better than ones that came out just a decade ago. But these extra features can cause batteries to drain more quickly if you’re not watching.
Don’t stop using your favorite 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 added features, like Bluetooth, tinnitus relief, or multichannel, can drain the battery more quickly.
Batteries can be affected by altitude changes
Going from a low to high altitude can drain your batteries, particularly if they’re on their last leg. When flying, climbing, or skiing always takes some spares.
Maybe the batteries aren’t actually 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 might 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 stop the alarm. There could be hours or even days of power left.
Handling the batteries incorrectly
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 handling them. Never freeze hearing aid batteries. It doesn’t extend their life as it might with other kinds of batteries.
Simple handling mistakes like these can make hearing aid batteries drain quickly.
Buying a year’s supply of batteries isn’t a good idea
It’s often a practical financial choice to purchase in bulk. But as you get toward the end of the pack, the last several batteries most likely won’t last as long. It can be a waste to buy any more than 6 months worth.
Buying hearing aid batteries online
We’re not claiming it’s necessarily a bad idea to purchase things on the internet. You can get some great deals. But some less honest people will sell batteries on the internet that are very close to the expiration date. Or worse, it has already passed.
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. Be certain that the date is well in the future to get the most use out of the pack.
If you buy your batteries at a hearing aid center or pharmacy, the expiration date will be on the labeling, but if you are going to shop online make sure the seller specifies when the batteries will expire. Make sure you check reviews to be certain you’re buying from a reputable source.
The batteries in hearing aids no longer drain quickly
Hearing aid batteries might drain faster for numerous reasons. But by taking small precautions you can get more power from each battery. And if you’re thinking of an upgrade, think about rechargeable hearing aids. You put these hearing aids on a charger each night for an entire day of hearing tomorrow. Every few years, you will have to replace the rechargeable batteries.
