Does it seem as if your hearing aid batteries drain way too quickly? Here are some unexpected reasons that might occur.
How long should hearing aid batteries last? The ordinary hearing aid battery lasts anywhere from 3 to 7 days.
That’s a very wide range. But it’s so wide that it’s unpredictable and could leave you in trouble.
You may be at market on day 4. All of a sudden, you can’t hear anything. The cashier is talking to you but you can’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 discussion and it’s leaving you feeling quite alone.
Now, you’re attending your grandchild’s school play. You can no longer hear the kids singing. But it’s only day 2. Yes, sometimes they even die before that 3-day mark.
It isn’t simply inconvenient. You’re losing out on life because you don’t know how much juice is left in your hearing aids.
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. Your battery may be exposed to even more moisture if you live in a humid or rainy place.
This excess moisture can clog up the air vent in your device, affecting the hearing aid’s efficiency. It can even kill the battery directly by interacting with the chemicals that produce electricity.
Prevent battery drain related to moisture with these steps:
- A dehumidifier is helpful
- Before going to bed, open the battery door
- If you’re storing your hearing aids for a prolonged period of time, remove the batteries
- Don’t keep your hearing aids in the kitchen or bathroom
Advanced hearing aid features can run down batteries
Current digital hearing aids help people hear so much better than ones that came out just a decade ago. But when these sophisticated features are being used, they can be a drain on battery power.
Don’t quit using your favorite features. But just know that if you stream music for hours from your smartphone to your hearing aids, you’ll need to change the battery sooner.
Noise-canceling, Bluetooth, multichannel, tinnitus relief — all of these added features can drain your battery.
Altitude changes can affect batteries too
Your batteries can be drained quickly when you have a quick climb in altitude, and if they’re already low this is particularly true. When flying, skiing, or climbing remember to bring some spares.
Is the battery really drained?
Many hearing aids will warn you when the batteries need to be changed. These warnings, generally speaking, aren’t telling you that your batteries are dead, they’re simply a heads up. In addition, you may get a warning when the charge drops because of an altitude or humidity change.
Take the hearing aids out and reset them to stop the alarm. You may be able to get several more hours or even days from that battery.
Handling the batteries incorrectly
Wait until it’s time to use the battery before you pull off the protective tab. Hand oil or dirt can be an issue for batteries so wash up before you handle them. Don’t ever freeze hearing aid batteries. This might increase the life of other batteries but it doesn’t work with hearing aid batteries.
Hearing aids will drain faster if you mishandle them in these ways.
Purchasing a year’s supply of batteries isn’t a great idea
Purchasing in bulk is often a smart money choice when you can afford to do it. But as you get toward the end of the pack, the last few batteries most likely won’t last as long. It can be a waste to buy any more than 6 months worth.
Buying hearing aid batteries online
This isn’t a broad critique of buying stuff online. You can find a lot of bargains. But you will also find some less honest sellers who will sell batteries that are close to or even past their expiration date.
Both alkaline (AA, AAA, etc.) and zinc hearing aid batteries have expiration dates. You wouldn’t buy milk without checking when it expires. The same goes with batteries. In order to get the most from your battery, be certain the date is well into the future.
If you purchase your batteries at a hearing aid store or pharmacy, the expiration date will be on the packaging, but if you are going to shop online be sure the seller specifies when the batteries will expire. 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 from each battery. You may also think about rechargeable hearing aids if you’re shopping for a new set. You dock these hearing aids on a charger each night for a full day of hearing the next day. Every few years, you will need to change the rechargeable batteries.