Do your hearing aid batteries seem to die faster than they should? Here are some unexpected reasons that might happen.
So how far should the charge on my hearing aid battery last? From 3 to 7 days is the typical period of time for charge to last.
That’s a very wide range. But it’s so wide that it’s unpredictable and might leave you in trouble.
You could be on day 4 at the supermarket store. Unexpectedly, things get quiet. The cashier is talking to you but you don’t hear what they are saying.
Or, you’re out for lunch with friends on day 5. All of a sudden, you can’t follow the conversation and it’s leaving you feeling quite alone.
Perhaps you go to your grandchild’s school to watch a play. You can no longer hear the kids singing. But it’s only day 2. Yes, sometimes they even drain before that 3-day mark.
It’s more than 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 culprits.
Moisture can drain a battery
Releasing moisture through our skin is one thing that human beings do that the majority of other species don’t. It’s a cooling system. It also cleans the blood of excess toxins and sodium. Your battery may be exposed to even more moisture if you live in a humid or rainy place.
This excess moisture can clog the air vent in your device, making hearing aids less efficient. It can even drain the battery directly by interacting with the chemicals that make electricity.
Prevent battery drain related to moisture with these steps:
- Keep your hearing aids in a place where moisture is minimum
- A dehumidifier can be helpful
- Open up the battery door before storing the hearing aids
- Take the batteries out if you’re storing them for several days
State-of-the-art hearing aid functions can run down batteries
Even a decade ago, hearing aids were a lot less helpful for people with hearing loss than modern devices. But when these advanced functions are in use, they can be a draw on battery power.
That doesn’t mean you should stop using these amazing features. But be aware that the battery will drain faster if you spend hours streaming music from your cellphone to your hearing aids.
All these extra functions, 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 sap your batteries, particularly if they’re on their last leg. 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 alerts are giving you a “heads up”. They’re not telling you the battery is dead. In addition, you might get a warning when the charge drops due to an altitude or humidity change.
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
Wait until it’s time to use the battery before you remove the protective tab. Hand oil or dirt can be an issue for batteries so wash up before handling them. Never freeze hearing aid batteries. It doesn’t increase their life as it might with other kinds of batteries.
Hearing aids will drain faster if you mishandle them in these ways.
Purchasing a year’s supply of batteries isn’t a good idea
Buying in bulk is often a smart money choice when you can afford to do it. But you can expect that the last several batteries in the pack won’t last as long. Try to limit yourself to a 6-month supply or less unless you’re okay with the waste.
Buying hearing aid batteries online
This isn’t a general criticism of buying stuff online. You can get some really good deals. But some less honest people will sell batteries on the internet that are very close to the expiration date. Or even worse, it has already passed.
Most types of batteries, including hearing aid batteries, have expiration dates. When you purchase milk, you wouldn’t forget to look at the date it expires. The same goes with batteries. If you want to get the most out of 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 seller states when the batteries will expire. Only buy batteries from trustworthy sources.
Hearing aid batteries drain quickly no longer
There are several reasons that hearing aid batteries might drain quickly. But by taking small precautions you can get more power out of each battery. You may also consider rechargeable hearing aids if you’re in the market for a new set. You dock these hearing aids on a charger every night for an entire day of hearing the next day. The rechargeable batteries only have to be replaced every few years.