Does it seem as if your hearing aid batteries die way too fast? There are several reasons why this might be happening that might be surprising.
So how far should the charge on my hearing aid battery last? The ordinary hearing aid battery lasts anywhere between 3 and 7 days.
That’s a really wide range. But it’s so wide that it’s unpredictable and could leave you in trouble.
You could be at market on day 4. Suddenly, things get quiet. The cashier is speaking to you but you don’t hear what they are saying.
Or, you’re out for dinner with friends on day 5. All of a sudden, you can’t hear the conversation and it’s leaving you feeling rather alone.
Now, you’re at your grandchild’s school play. And the kid’s singing disappears. Wait, it’s only day 2. Yes, they even occasionally die after a couple of days.
It’s more than annoying. You’re missing out on life because you don’t know how much power you have left in your hearing aids.
Here are 7 possible culprits if your hearing aid batteries drain quickly.
Your Battery can be killed by moisture
Did you realize that humans are one of the few species that produce moisture through their skin? It’s a cooling mechanism. You do it to eliminate extra sodium or toxins in the blood. On top of this, you might 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 cause less efficient performance. It can even drain the battery directly by interacting with the chemicals that generate electricity.
Here are a few steps you can take to prevent moisture-caused battery drain:
- Before you go to bed, open the battery door
- Take the batteries out if you’re storing them for several days
- Don’t store your hearing aids in the kitchen or bathroom
- Get a dehumidifier
State-of-the-art hearing aid features can drain batteries
Modern digital hearing aids help people hear so much better than ones that came out only 10 years ago. But these added functions can cause batteries to drain more quickly if you’re not paying attention.
That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use these amazing features. But just know that if you stream music for hours from your smartphone to your hearing aids, you’ll need to change the battery sooner.
Noise-canceling, Bluetooth, multichannel, tinnitus relief — all of these added features can drain your battery.
Batteries can be impacted by altitude changes
Going from a low to high altitude can sap your batteries, particularly if they’re on their last leg. Make sure you bring some spares if you are in the mountains or on an aircraft.
Maybe the batteries aren’t really drained
Some hearing aids tell you when the battery is getting low. 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 takes a dip because of 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
You shouldn’t 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 to avoid getting hand oil or dirt on 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.
Hearing aids will drain more quickly if you mishandle them in these ways.
Overstocking on batteries isn’t a good plan
It’s often a practical financial decision to purchase in bulk. But you can anticipate that the last several batteries in the pack won’t last as long. It can be a waste to buy any more than a 6 month supply.
Buying hearing aid batteries online
This isn’t a general criticism of buying things on the internet. You can get some really good deals. But you will also come across some less honest sellers who will sell batteries that are near 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 look at the date it expires. You shouldn’t forget to check the date on batteries either. In order to get the most from your battery, be certain the date is well into the future.
If you purchase your batteries at a hearing aid store or pharmacy, the expiration date will be on the packaging, but if you are going to shop online make sure the seller states when the batteries will expire. Only purchase batteries from reliable sources.
Hearing aid batteries drain quickly no more
Hearing aid batteries may drain more quickly for numerous reasons. 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 pair. You will get an entire day of power after each night of recharging. Every few years, you will need to change the rechargeable batteries.