Does it seem like your hearing aid batteries die way too quickly? Here are some unexpected reasons that might happen.
So how far should the charge on my hearing aid battery go? The standard hearing aid battery lasts anywhere between 3 and 7 days.
That range is fairly wide. But it’s so wide that it’s unpredictable and may leave you in trouble.
You may be at the store on day 4. Suddenly, things get quiet. You don’t hear the cashier.
Or it’s day 5. You’re appreciating a night out with friends. All of a sudden, you can’t hear the discussion 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, occasionally they even drain before the 3rd day.
It’s not simply inconvenient. You have no clue how much juice is left and it’s causing you to miss out on life.
Here are 7 likely causes if your hearing aid batteries die quickly.
Moisture can kill a battery
Releasing moisture through our skin is one thing that humans do that most other species don’t. It’s a cooling mechanism. You do it to eliminate extra sodium or toxins in the blood. In addition, you might live in a humid or rainy environment where things get even wetter.
This excess moisture can clog the air vent in your device, making hearing aids less efficient. It can even interact with the chemicals that make electricity causing it to drain even faster.
Prevent battery drain caused by moisture using these steps:
- Before going to bed, open up the battery door
- Use a dehumidifier
- If you’re storing your hearing aids for an extended time period, take out the batteries
- Don’t keep your hearing aids in the kitchen or bathroom
Advanced hearing aid features can run down batteries
Even 10 years ago, hearing aids were a lot less helpful for people with hearing loss than current devices. But when these advanced functions are being used, they can be a draw on battery power.
Don’t quit using your favorite features. But be aware that the battery will drain 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 faster.
Batteries can be impacted by altitude changes
Going from a low to high altitude can sap your batteries, especially if they’re on their last leg. When flying, skiing, or climbing always takes some spares.
Is the battery actually drained?
Some hearing aids let you know 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. Moreover, sometimes an environmental change in humidity or altitude briefly causes the charge to dip and the low battery alarm gets triggered.
Take out the hearing aids and reset them to stop the alarm. There may be hours or even days of power left.
Incorrect handling of batteries
Wait until it’s time to use the battery before you pull off the protective tab. Make sure you wash your hands before handling your hearing aids or batteries to avoid getting hand oil or dirt on them. Never freeze hearing aid batteries. It doesn’t increase their life as it might with other types of batteries.
Hearing aids will drain more quickly if you mishandle them in these ways.
Purchasing a year’s supply of batteries isn’t a good idea
It’s often a practical financial choice to buy in bulk. But you can expect that the last several batteries in the pack will drain faster. Try to stick with a 6-month supply or less unless you’re okay with the waste.
Online battery vendors
This isn’t a general criticism of buying things online. You can find lots of bargains. But you will also find some less honest sellers who will sell batteries that are near to or even past their expiration date.
Most types of batteries, including hearing aid batteries, have expiration dates. You wouldn’t buy milk without looking at when it expires. You shouldn’t do that with batteries either. Be certain that the date is far enough in the future to get the most use out of the pack.
If you purchase your batteries at a hearing aid center or pharmacy, the expiration date will be on the packaging, but if you’re going to shop on the internet be sure the vendor states when the batteries will expire. Make sure you look for reviews to be certain you’re purchasing from a reputable source.
The batteries in hearing aids no longer drain quickly
Hearing aid batteries might drain faster for several reasons. But by taking small precautions you can get more power from each battery. And if you’re thinking of an upgrade, consider rechargeable hearing aids. You will get a full day of power after every night of recharging. The rechargeable batteries only have to be replaced every few years.