Does it seem as if your hearing aid batteries drain way too fast? Here are some surprising reasons that may occur.
So how long should the charge on my hearing aid battery go? From 3 to 7 days is the typical time-frame for charge to last.
That’s a really wide range. But it’s so wide that it’s unpredictable and might leave you in trouble.
You might be on day 4 at the supermarket store. Out of the blue, you can’t hear anything. The cashier is speaking to you but you don’t hear what they are saying.
Or it’s day 5. You’re enjoying a night out with friends. Suddenly, you find yourself feeling really alone because you can no longer follow what your friends are saying.
Perhaps you go to your grandchild’s school to see a play. And the children’s singing disappears. Wait, it’s just day 2. Yes, sometimes they even drain before that 3-day mark.
It’s not simply inconvenient. You have no clue how much power 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.
Your Battery can be drained by moisture
Producing moisture through our skin is one thing that humans do that most other species don’t. You do it to cool down. It also helps clear the blood of unwanted toxins and sodium. In addition, you may live in a humid or rainy environment where things get even wetter.
The air vent in your device can get clogged by this excess moisture which can result in less efficient performance. It can even kill the battery directly by interacting with the chemicals that produce electricity.
Here are a few steps you can take to avoid moisture-caused battery drain:
- Open up the battery door before storing the hearing aids
- Get 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 spot where moisture is minimum
Sophisticated modern features are power intensive
Even a decade ago, hearing aids were much less helpful for individuals with hearing loss than modern devices. But when these advanced functions are in use, they can be a draw on battery power.
Don’t stop using your favorite features. But just know that if you stream music all day 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 more quickly.
Batteries can be affected by altitude changes
Your batteries can be drained quickly when you have a rapid climb in altitude, and if they’re already low this is particularly true. When flying, skiing, or climbing always takes some spares.
Perhaps the batteries aren’t really drained
Many hearing aids will warn you when the batteries need to be replaced. These warnings, as a general rule, aren’t telling you that your batteries are dead, they’re just a heads up. In addition, you might get a warning when the charge drops because of an altitude or humidity change.
You can turn off the alarm by removing and resetting your hearing aid. You might be able to get several more hours or even days out of that battery.
Incorrect handling of batteries
Wait until you’re ready 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. Don’t ever freeze hearing aid batteries. This might 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
Purchasing 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 several batteries likely won’t last as long. Try to limit yourself to a 6-month supply or less unless you’re okay with the waste.
Online battery vendors
We’re not suggesting it’s automatically a bad idea to buy things on the internet. You can get some great deals. But some less scrupulous people 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 an expiration date. You wouldn’t purchase milk without looking at when it expires. The same goes with batteries. If you want to get the most from your battery, be certain 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 labeling, but if you are going to shop on the internet be sure the vendor states when the batteries will expire. Make sure you check reviews to be certain you’re purchasing from a reliable source.
Hearing aid batteries drain quickly no longer
There are several reasons that hearing aid batteries might drain quickly. But you can get more energy from each battery by taking small precautions. You may also think about rechargeable hearing aids if you’re in the market for a new pair. You will get a full day of power after each night of recharging. Every few years, you will need to change the rechargeable batteries.