Does it seem like your hearing aid batteries die way too quickly? Here are some unexpected reasons that may occur.
How long should hearing aid batteries last? From 3 to 7 days is the typical time-frame 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 could be at market on day 4. Out of the blue, you can’t hear anything. You can’t hear the cashier.
Or it’s day 5. You’re enjoying a night out with friends. Suddenly, you find yourself feeling very alone because you can no longer follow what your friends are saying.
Now, you’re attending your grandson’s school play. You can no longer hear the kids singing. But it’s only day 2. Yes, occasionally they even die before that 3-day mark.
It isn’t just inconvenient. You’re missing out on life because you’re not sure how much power you have left in your hearing aids.
Here are 7 possible culprits if your hearing aid batteries die quickly.
Your Battery can be killed by moisture
Did you realize that human beings are one of the few species that release moisture through their skin? It’s a cooling system. It also helps clear the blood of unwanted toxins and sodium. Your battery could be subjected to even more moisture if you live in a humid or rainy place.
The air vent in your device can get clogged by this excess moisture which can result in less efficient functionality. It can even kill the battery directly by interacting with the chemicals that generate electricity.
Here are a few steps you can take to prevent moisture-caused battery drain:
- Before you go to bed, open up the battery door
- Don’t store your hearing aids in the kitchen or bathroom
- Take the batteries out if you’re storing them for several days
- Get a dehumidifier
Sophisticated modern features are power intensive
Current digital hearing aids help individuals hear so much better than ones that came out just 10 years ago. But when these advanced features are being used, they can be a drain on battery power.
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 cellphone to your hearing aids.
Noise-canceling, Bluetooth, multichannel, tinnitus relief — all of these added features can drain your battery.
Batteries can be impacted by altitude changes
Your batteries can be quickly depleted when you have a quick climb in altitude, and if they’re already low this is especially true. When flying, skiing, or climbing always takes some spares.
Maybe the batteries aren’t 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. On top of this, sometimes an environmental change in altitude or humidity briefly causes the charge to dip and the low battery alarm will sound.
Take out the hearing aids and reset them to stop the alarm. There may be hours or even days of power left.
Improper handling of batteries
Wait until it’s time to use the battery before you pull off 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. Don’t ever freeze hearing aid batteries. It doesn’t increase their life as it might with other types of batteries.
Basic handling errors like these can make hearing aid batteries drain quickly.
Overstocking on batteries isn’t a good plan
It’s usually a practical financial choice to purchase in bulk. But as you get toward the end of the pack, the last several batteries likely won’t last as long. Try to stick with a 6-month supply or less unless you’re fine with the waste.
Buying hearing aid batteries from the internet
This isn’t a general critique of buying stuff online. You can get some really good deals. 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.
Both alkaline (AA, AAA, etc.) and zinc hearing aid batteries have expiration dates. When you buy milk, you wouldn’t forget to look at the date it expires. The same goes with batteries. If you want to get the most from your battery, be certain the date is well into the future.
If you buy your batteries at a hearing aid store or pharmacy, the expiration date will be on the labeling, but if you are going to shop online be sure the vendor states when the batteries will expire. Only purchase batteries from reputable sources.
Hearing aid batteries drain quickly no longer
There are several reasons that hearing aid batteries may 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 shopping for a new set. You put these hearing aids on a charger each night for an entire day of hearing tomorrow. Every few years, you will have to change the rechargeable batteries.