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? The typical hearing aid battery lasts anywhere between 3 and 7 days.
That range is pretty wide. But it’s so wide that it’s unpredictable and could leave you in a bind.
You could be at the store on day 4. All of a sudden, you can’t hear anything. The cashier is talking to you but you can’t hear what they are saying.
Or it’s day 5. You’re appreciating a night out with friends. Suddenly, you find yourself feeling really alone because you can no longer follow the conversation.
Now, you’re attending your grandson’s school play. And the kid’s singing disappears. But it’s only day 2. Yes, they even sometimes drain after a couple of days.
It isn’t just inconvenient. You’re losing out on life because you’re not sure how much power is left in your hearing aids.
If your hearing aid batteries drain too quickly, look to these seven possible culprits.
Moisture can drain a battery
Did you know that human beings are one of the few species that release moisture through their skin? You do it to cool down. You do it to eliminate excess sodium or toxins in the blood. On top of this, you might live in a rainy humid environment where things get even wetter.
This excess moisture can clog the air vent in your device, affecting the hearing aid’s efficiency. It can even drain the battery directly by interacting with the chemicals that produce electricity.
Avoid battery drain caused by moisture with these steps:
- Before going to bed, open the battery door
- Use a dehumidifier
- If you’re storing your hearing aids for an extended period of time, take out the batteries
- Keep your hearing aids in a place where moisture is at a minimum
Sophisticated modern features are power intensive
Modern digital hearing aids help people hear so much better than ones that came out just a decade ago. But these added functions can cause batteries to drain faster if you’re not watching.
Don’t quit using your favorite features. But be aware that the battery will die faster if you spend all day streaming music from your phone to your hearing aids.
All these extra 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 deplete your batteries, particularly if they’re low already. When flying, climbing, or skiing remember to bring some spares.
Is the battery 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. On top of this, sometimes an environmental change in altitude or humidity temporarily causes the charge to drop and the low battery alarm will sound.
You can turn off the alarm by removing and resetting your hearing aid. You may be able to get several more hours or even days from that battery.
Handling the batteries improperly
You shouldn’t remove the little tab from the battery if you’re not ready to use it. Always 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 might increase the life of other batteries but that’s not the case 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 choice to purchase in bulk. But you can anticipate that the last few batteries in the pack won’t last as long. Try to stick with a 6-month supply or less unless you’re fine with the waste.
Buying hearing aid batteries from the internet
This isn’t a broad criticism of buying stuff on the internet. You can find a lot of bargains. But some less honest individuals will sell batteries online that are very close to the expiration date. Or worse, it has already gone by.
Most kinds of batteries, including hearing aid batteries, have expiration dates. You wouldn’t buy milk without checking the expiration. You shouldn’t do that with batteries either. In order to get the most out of your battery, make sure the date is well into the future.
If you buy your batteries at a hearing aid center or pharmacy, the expiration date will be on the packaging, 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 purchasing from a reputable source.
Hearing aid batteries drain quickly no longer
There are numerous reasons that hearing aid batteries could drain quickly. But you can get more power from each battery by taking small precautions. You may also think about rechargeable hearing aids if you’re in the market for a new set. You will get an entire day of power after each night of recharging. Every few years, you will have to replace the rechargeable batteries.