Do your hearing aid batteries seem to die faster than they should? There are numerous reasons why this might be occurring that might be surprising.
So how far should the charge on my hearing aid battery go? From 3 to 7 days is the standard period of time for charge to last.
That’s a very wide range. So wide, in fact, that it’s unpredictable and leaves you in a serious situation.
You could be at the store on day 4. All of a sudden, you can’t hear anything. You don’t hear the cashier.
Or it’s day 5. You’re appreciating a night out with friends. Suddenly, you find yourself feeling very alone because you can no longer follow what your friends are saying.
Perhaps you go to your grandchild’s school to watch a play. And the kid’s singing disappears. But it’s only day 2. Yes, they even occasionally drain after a couple of days.
It’s not simply inconvenient. You have no clue how much juice 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 know that humans are one of the few species that produce moisture through their skin? It’s a cooling system. It also helps clear the blood of unwanted toxins and sodium. In addition, you might live in a humid or rainy climate where things get even wetter.
The air vent in your device can become clogged by this excess moisture which can result in less efficient performance. It can even interact with the chemicals that produce electricity causing it to drain even faster.
Prevent battery drain related to moisture using these steps:
- Before going to bed, open the battery door
- Keep your hearing aids in a spot where moisture is minimum
- Don’t leave the batteries in if you’re storing them for several days
- A dehumidifier is helpful
Advanced modern features are power intensive
Modern digital hearing aids help individuals hear so much better than ones that came out just a decade ago. But when these sophisticated features are being used, they can be a draw on battery power.
That doesn’t mean you should stop using these amazing features. But just know that if you stream music for hours from your smartphone to your hearing aids, you’ll need to replace the battery sooner.
All these added functions, like Bluetooth, tinnitus relief, or multichannel, can drain the battery faster.
Altitude changes can affect batteries too
Going from a low to high altitude can deplete your batteries, especially if they’re on their last leg. Make sure you bring some spares if you’re in the mountains or on a plane.
Maybe the batteries aren’t really drained
Some hearing aids let you know when the battery is getting low. As a general rule, these alerts are giving you a “heads up”. They’re not telling you the battery is dead. Moreover, sometimes an environmental change in altitude or humidity temporarily causes the charge to dip and the low battery alarm will sound.
You can stop the alarm by removing and resetting your hearing aid. You might be able to get several more hours or even days from that battery.
Improper handling of batteries
You should never remove the little tab from the battery if you’re not ready to use it. Make sure you wash your hands before handling your hearing aids or batteries so you don’t get hand oil or dirt on them. Never freeze hearing aid batteries. This may extend the life of other batteries but it doesn’t work with hearing aid 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 to do it. But as you get toward the end of the pack, the last few batteries most likely won’t last as long. Try to stick with a 6-month supply or less unless you’re okay with the waste.
internet battery vendors
This isn’t a general critique of buying stuff online. 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 gone by.
Both alkaline (AA, AAA, etc.) and zinc hearing aid batteries have expiration dates. When you purchase milk, you wouldn’t forget to look at the expiration date. The same goes with batteries. If you want to get the most out of your battery, be certain the date is well into the future.
If you buy 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 seller specifies when the batteries will expire. Make sure you look for reviews to be certain you’re purchasing 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 will get an entire day of power after every night of recharging. The rechargeable batteries only need to be swapped out every few years.