Does it seem like your hearing aid batteries drain way too quickly? Here are a few unexpected reasons that might occur.
So how far should the charge on my hearing aid battery go? The typical hearing aid battery lasts anywhere between 3 and 7 days.
That’s a very wide range. But it’s so wide that it’s unpredictable and might leave you in trouble.
You may be at the store on day 4. Unexpectedly, your sound cuts out. You can’t hear the cashier.
Or, you’re out for dinner with friends on day 5. Suddenly, you find yourself feeling very alone because you can no longer hear the conversation.
Now, you’re at your grandson’s school play. And the children’s singing disappears. Wait, it’s just day 2. Yes, sometimes they even die before that 3-day mark.
It’s more than annoying. You have no idea how much power is left and it’s causing you to miss out on life.
Here are 7 likely culprits if your hearing aid batteries drain quickly.
Moisture can kill a battery
Did you realize that human beings are one of the few species that release moisture through their skin? It’s a cooling mechanism. You do it to eliminate excess sodium or toxins in the blood. Your battery may be exposed to even more moisture if you live in a humid or rainy place.
The air vent in your device can become plugged by this extra moisture which can cause less efficient performance. It can even kill the battery directly by interacting with the chemicals that produce electricity.
Here are a few steps you can take to avoid moisture-caused battery drain:
- Take the batteries out if you’re storing them for a few days
- Keep your hearing aids in a spot where moisture is minimum
- Before going to bed, open the battery door
- Get a dehumidifier
Advanced hearing aid functions can run down batteries
Current digital hearing aids help individuals hear so much better than ones that came out only 10 years ago. But these added functions can cause batteries to drain more quickly if you’re not watching.
That doesn’t mean you should stop using these amazing features. But just know that if you stream music all day from your smartphone to your hearing aids, you’ll need to replace the battery sooner.
All these extra functions, like Bluetooth, tinnitus relief, or multichannel, can drain the battery more quickly.
Altitude changes can affect batteries too
Going from a low to high altitude can sap your batteries, especially if they’re low already. Make sure you bring some spares if you’re in the mountains or on an aircraft.
Perhaps the batteries aren’t actually drained
Some hearing aids let you know when the battery is low. These warnings, generally speaking, aren’t telling you that your batteries are dead, they’re simply a heads up. On top of this, sometimes an environmental change in humidity or altitude briefly causes the charge to drop and the low battery alarm gets triggered.
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.
Improper handling of batteries
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
It’s usually a practical financial choice to buy in bulk. But you can anticipate that the last several batteries in the pack will drain faster. Try to stick with a 6-month supply or less unless you’re fine with the waste.
internet battery vendors
This isn’t a broad critique of buying stuff online. You can find lots of bargains. But some less scrupulous people will sell batteries online that are very close to the expiration date. Or even worse, it has already gone by.
Most kinds of batteries, including hearing aid batteries, have expiration dates. You wouldn’t buy milk without looking at the expiration. The same goes with batteries. If you want to get the most out of your battery, make sure 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 make sure the vendor states when the batteries will expire. Make sure you look for reviews to be certain you’re buying from a reliable source.
The batteries in hearing aids no longer drain quickly
Hearing aid batteries might drain more quickly for several reasons. But you can get more energy from each battery by taking small precautions. You might also consider rechargeable hearing aids if you’re shopping for a new set. You will get an entire day of power after every night of recharging. Every few years, you will have to replace the rechargeable batteries.