Does it seem like your hearing aid batteries lose their charge too fast? The reasons for this can be sometimes unexpected.How long should hearing aid batteries last? Anywhere from 3 to 7 days is typical. That range is pretty wide. So wide, in fact, that it’s unpredictable and puts you in a significant predicament. Things could suddenly go quiet when you’re trying to hear the cashier at the supermarket after 4 days of battery power. Or it’s day 5 and you’re having a call with friends when suddenly you find yourself feeling very alone because you can no longer follow the conversation. Now, you’re watching TV. You can no longer hear the news. Hold on, it’s only day 2. Yes, occasionally they even drain before that 3-day mark. It’s more than a little inconvenient. You just can’t tell how much battery power you have left in your hearing aids and it’s making you miss out on life. Here are the most likely culprits if your hearing aid batteries die quickly.
A Battery Can be Depleted by Moisture
Did you realize that humans are one of the few species that produce moisture through their skin? We do it to cool down. It’s the body’s way of ridding the blood of sodium and toxins. On top of this, you may live in a rainy or humid climate where things are even more moist. This additional moisture can clog the air vent in your device, making it less efficient. It can even deplete the battery directly by interacting with the chemicals that create electricity. Here are some steps you can take to avoid moisture-caused battery drain:
- Don’t leave the batteries in if you’re storing them for several days
- Get a dehumidifier for your hearing aids
- Before you store your hearing aids, open the battery door
- Moist environments, like the kitchen or bathroom aren’t a good place to keep your hearing aids
Advanced Hearing Aid Features Can Drain Batteries
You get a much better hearing aid now than you did even ten years ago. But if you’re not keeping your eye on them, these advanced features can cause faster battery drain. Don’t quit using your favorite features. But keep in mind, you will need to change the battery sooner if you are streaming music from your phone all day. Bluetooth, multichannel, tinnitus relief, noise canceling — all of these added functions can deplete your battery.
Altitude Changes Can Affect Batteries Too
Moving from a low to high altitude can deplete your batteries, particularly if they’re on their older. When skiing, flying or climbing always takes some extra batteries.
Perhaps The Batteries Aren’t Really Low
Some models will give you a warning when the battery starts to get too low. Generally, these warnings are giving you a “heads up”. They’re not telling you the battery is depleted. Also, the charge can at times drop briefly due to altitude or environmental changes and that can activate a false low battery warning. Remove the hearing aids and reset them to stop the alarm. You might be able to get several more hours or even days of battery life.
Handling Batteries Improperly
Wait until you’re ready to use your hearing aid to remove the tab from the battery. Refrain from getting dirt and skin oil on your hearing aid by washing your hands before touching them. Hearing aid batteries should never be frozen. It doesn’t increase their life as it might with other kinds of batteries. Hearing aid batteries may lose battery power quicker if you make these basic handling errors.
It isn’t a Good Idea to Buy a Year’s Supply of Batteries
If you can afford to do it, purchasing in bulk can be a smart plan. But the last few batteries in the pack most likely won’t have full power. Unless you don’t mind wasting a few, try to stay with a six month supply.
Shopping For Hearing Aid Batteries Online
This isn’t an over-all criticism of purchasing things on the internet. There are some really good deals out in cyberspace. But some batteries that can be found on the internet are being sold by less honest people and are near their expiration date. They may even be past their expiration date. So you need to be cautious.
There’s an expiration date on both alkaline and zinc batteries. You wouldn’t buy milk without looking at the expiration. You should do that with batteries too. Be certain that the date is well in the future so that you can get the most use out of the pack. If the website doesn’t state an expiration date, message the vendor, or purchase batteries from us. Only buy batteries from reputable sources.
Today You Can Get Rechargeable Hearing Aids
Hearing aids may drain too rapidly for numerous reasons. But you can get more life out of your batteries by taking some precautions. You may also think about rechargeable hearing aids if you’re in the market for a new set. If you charge them while you sleep, you get a full day of power the next day. The rechargeable batteries only need to be changed every few years.