Do you feel like your hearing aid batteries are not keeping a charge as long as they should? Here are some surprising reasons that could happen.How long should hearing aid batteries last? The standard hearing aid battery should last anywhere from 3 to 7 days. That range is pretty wide. In fact, it’s so wide that it probably doesn’t help you predict what should be taking place with your hearing aid. Things could suddenly go quiet when you’re trying to hear the cashier at the grocery store after 4 days of battery power. Or it’s day 5 and you’re enjoying a call with friends when all of a sudden you find yourself feeling really alone because you can no longer follow the conversation. Now, you’re watching TV. All of a sudden you can’t hear the news. Hold on, it’s only day 2. Yes, occasionally they even die before that 3-day mark. It’s more than a little inconvenient. You’re missing out on life because you don’t know how much juice you have left in your hearing aids. If your hearing aid batteries are draining too fast, there are a small number of likely causes.
A Battery Can be Drained by Moisture
Did you realize that humans are one of the few species that release moisture through their skin? We do it to cool off. We do it to clear out excess sodium or toxins in the blood. You might also live in a climate that’s humid and moist. This excess moisture can clog the air vent in your device, making it less effective. It can even drain the battery directly by interacting with the chemicals that produce electricity. You can prevent moisture-related battery drainage with these steps:
- Obtain a dehumidifier for your hearing aids
- Don’t leave the batteries in if you’re storing them for a few days
- Don’t keep your hearing aids in the bathroom, kitchen or other damp conditions
- Before you store your hearing aids, open the battery door
Advanced Hearing Aid Features Can Run Down Batteries
You get a much better hearing aid nowadays than you did even ten years ago. But these extra features can cause batteries to run down faster if you’re not keeping an eye on them. You can still use your favorite features. But keep in mind, you will need to replace the battery sooner if you are streaming music from your phone for hours. Bluetooth, multichannel, tinnitus relief, noise canceling — all of these extra features can drain your battery.
Altitude Changes Can Affect Batteries Too
Moving from a low to high altitude can deplete your batteries, specifically if they’re on their last leg. Bring some extra batteries if you are going on a plane or high up into the mountains.
Perhaps The Batteries Aren’t Really Low
Some models will give you a warning when the battery begins to get too low. Generally speaking, these alerts are giving you a “heads up”. It doesn’t mean you have a depleted battery. In addition, sometimes an environmental change in humidity or altitude temporarily causes the charge to drop and the low battery alert gets activated. Remove the hearing aids and reset them to end the alarm. The battery may last a few more hours or even days.
Improper Handling of Batteries
You should never remove the little tab from the battery until you’re ready to use it. Avoid getting dirt and skin oil on your hearing aid by washing your hands before touching them. Don’t ever freeze hearing aid batteries. It doesn’t lengthen their life as it could with other kinds of batteries. Basic handling mistakes such as these can make hearing aid batteries drain more quickly.
Getting a Year’s Supply of Batteries Isn’t a Good Idea
Buying in bulk is often a smart money move when you can afford to do it. But as you come to the end of the pack, the last few batteries probably won’t last as long. Unless you’re fine with wasting a few, try to stick to a six month supply.
Shopping For Hearing Aid Batteries on The Web
It’s not an over-all criticism of purchasing stuff on the internet. There are some pretty great deals out in cyberspace. But some less honest people will sell batteries on the internet that are very close to the expiration date. Or worse, they are already passed. So you need to be cautious.
Both alkaline (AA, AAA, etc.) and zinc hearing aid batteries have an expiration date. You wouldn’t buy milk without checking the expiration. You should do that with batteries also. Be sure that the date is not close to the expiration to get the most use out of the pack. If the website doesn’t state an expiration date, send the online vendor a message, or purchase batteries from us. Be sure you know and trust the seller.
Today You Can Get Rechargeable Hearing Aids
There are a number of reasons that hearing batteries could drain quickly. But you can get more power from your batteries by taking some precautions. You might also think about rechargeable hearing aids if you’re in the market for a new set. You put them on a charger each night for a full charge the next day. The rechargeable batteries only need to be replaced every few years.