Do your hearing aid batteries seem to drain faster than they should? There are several reasons why this might be happening that might be surprising.
How long should hearing aid batteries last? From 3 to 7 days is the typical period of time for charge to last.
That’s a very wide range. So wide, in fact, that it’s unpredictable and leaves you in a serious predicament.
You might be on day 4 at the supermarket store. Unexpectedly, your sound cuts out. The cashier is speaking to you but you don’t hear what they are saying.
Or it’s day 5. You’re appreciating a night out with friends. All of a sudden, you can’t follow the discussion and it’s leaving you feeling quite alone.
Perhaps you go to your grandchild’s school to see a play. You can no longer hear the children singing. Wait, it’s just day 2. Yes, sometimes they even die before the 3rd day.
It’s more than inconvenient. You’re missing out on life because you don’t know how much power you have left in your hearing aids.
Here are 7 possible causes if your hearing aid batteries die quickly.
Moisture can drain a battery
Did you know that human beings are one of the few species that discharge moisture through their skin? It’s a cooling mechanism. It also helps clear the blood of unwanted toxins and sodium. In addition, you may live in a rainy humid climate where things get even wetter.
The air vent in your device can get plugged by this excess moisture which can result in less efficient functionality. It can even drain the battery directly by interacting with the chemicals that produce electricity.
Prevent battery drain caused by moisture with these steps:
- If you’re storing your hearing aids for an extended period of time, take out the batteries
- A dehumidifier is helpful
- Don’t keep your hearing aids in the kitchen or bathroom
- Open up the battery door before storing the hearing aids
Advanced modern features are power intensive
Even a decade ago, hearing aids were much less helpful for individuals with hearing loss than modern devices. But these extra features can cause batteries to drain more quickly if you’re not watching.
That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use these amazing features. But be aware that the battery will die faster if you spend all day streaming music from your phone to your hearing aids.
All these added functions, like Bluetooth, tinnitus relief, or multichannel, can drain the battery faster.
Batteries can be affected by altitude changes
Going from a low to high altitude can drain your batteries, particularly if they’re on their last leg. Be certain that you bring some spares if you are in the mountains or on an aircraft.
Is the battery actually 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 simply a heads up. Additionally, you may get a warning when the charge drops because of an altitude or humidity change.
You can stop 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.
Handling the batteries improperly
Wait until you’re ready to use the battery before you remove the protective tab. Make sure you wash your hands before handling your hearing aids or batteries so you don’t get hand oil or dirt on them. Keep your batteries away from the freezer. This might extend the life of other batteries but it doesn’t work with hearing aid batteries.
Basic handling errors like these can make hearing aid batteries drain quickly.
Overstocking on batteries isn’t a good plan
Buying in bulk is often a smart money choice when you can afford to do it. But you can anticipate 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 broad critique of buying things on the internet. You can find lots of bargains. But some less honest individuals will sell batteries online that are very near to the expiration date. Or even worse, it has already gone by.
Most types of batteries, including hearing aid batteries, have expiration dates. You wouldn’t buy milk without checking when it expires. You shouldn’t do that with batteries either. Make sure that the date is far enough in the future to get the most usage out of the pack.
If you purchase your batteries at a hearing aid store or pharmacy, the expiration date will be on the labeling, but if you are going to shop on the internet make sure the vendor states when the batteries will expire. Make sure you look for reviews to be certain you’re buying from a trustworthy source.
The batteries in hearing aids no longer drain quickly
Hearing aid batteries may drain more quickly for numerous reasons. But by taking small precautions you can get more power from each battery. And if you’re thinking of an upgrade, consider rechargeable hearing aids. You will get an entire day of power after each night of recharging. Every few years, you will need to change the rechargeable batteries.