Do your hearing aid batteries seem to drain quicker than they should? Here are some surprising reasons that might happen.
How long should hearing aid batteries last? From 3 to 7 days is the standard period of time for charge to last.
That range is rather wide. So wide, in fact, that it’s unpredictable and leaves you in a serious situation.
You may be at the store on day 4. Suddenly, your sound cuts out. The cashier is speaking to you but you can’t hear what they are saying.
Or, you’re out for dinner with friends on day 5. Suddenly, you find yourself feeling really alone because you can no longer hear what your friends are saying.
Maybe you go to your grandchild’s school to watch a play. And the kid’s singing disappears. But it’s only day 2. Yes, sometimes they even die before the 3rd day.
It’s not simply inconvenient. You’re losing out on life because you don’t know how much power you have left in your hearing aids.
Here are 7 likely causes if your hearing aid batteries die quickly.
Your Battery can be drained by moisture
Releasing moisture through our skin is one thing that human beings do that most other species don’t. You do it to cool down. You do it to remove excess sodium or toxins in the blood. Your battery could be subjected to even more moisture if you live in a humid or rainy place.
This extra 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 make electricity.
Prevent battery drain caused by moisture using these steps:
- Don’t keep your hearing aids in the bathroom or kitchen
- Use a dehumidifier
- Don’t leave the batteries in if you’re storing them for a few days
- Open up the battery door before you store your hearing aids
Advanced hearing aid functions can run down batteries
Modern digital hearing aids help people hear so much better than ones that came out only a decade ago. But these added features 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 hours streaming music from your cellphone to your hearing aids.
All these added functions, 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 drain your batteries, particularly if they’re on their last leg. When flying, climbing, or skiing remember to bring some spares.
Is the battery really 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. 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.
Take the hearing aids out and reset them to stop the alarm. There may be hours or even days of power left.
Incorrect handling of batteries
You should never pull off the little tab from the battery before you’re ready to use it. Hand oil or dirt can be a problem for batteries so wash up before you handle them. Never freeze hearing aid batteries. This may 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
Buying in bulk is usually a smart money decision when you can afford it. But you can expect that the last several batteries in the pack will drain faster. It can be a waste to purchase any more than 6 months worth.
Buying hearing aid batteries online
This isn’t a general criticism of buying things online. You can get some great deals. But you will also come across some less honest sellers who will sell batteries that are close to or even past their expiration date.
Most types of batteries, including hearing aid batteries, have expiration dates. When you buy milk, you wouldn’t forget to check the expiration date. The same goes with batteries. Be certain that the date is far enough in the future to get the most use out of the pack.
If the website doesn’t state an expiration date, message the seller, or purchase batteries at a pharmacy or hearing aid store where you can see it on the box. Make sure you check reviews to be certain you’re buying from a trustworthy source.
Hearing aid batteries drain quickly no more
Hearing aid batteries may drain more quickly for numerous reasons. But by taking little precautions you can get more energy out of each battery. You may also consider rechargeable hearing aids if you’re shopping for a new pair. You will get an entire day of power after each night of recharging. Every few years, you will need to replace the rechargeable batteries.