Does it seem as if your hearing aid batteries drain way too quickly? There are numerous reasons why this might be happening that may be unexpected.
How long should hearing aid batteries last? The standard hearing aid battery lasts anywhere between 3 and 7 days.
That range is rather wide. But it’s so wide that it’s unpredictable and might leave you in a bind.
You might be on day 4 at the supermarket store. Out of the blue, you can’t hear anything. You don’t hear the cashier.
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 rather alone.
Maybe you go to your grandchild’s school to watch a play. And the kid’s singing goes quiet. Wait, it’s only day 2. Yes, they even occasionally drain after a couple of days.
It’s not simply inconvenient. You’re losing out on life because you’re not sure how much power you have left in your hearing aids.
If your hearing aid batteries die too quickly, check out these seven possible causes.
Moisture can drain a battery
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 cleans 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 cause less efficient performance. It can even kill the battery directly by interacting with the chemicals that generate electricity.
Prevent battery drain related to moisture using these steps:
- If you’re storing your hearing aids for an extended time period, remove the batteries
- Open up the battery door before storing the hearing aids
- Don’t keep your hearing aids in the kitchen or bathroom
- A dehumidifier can be helpful
Advanced hearing aid features can drain batteries
Even a decade ago, hearing aids were much less helpful for individuals with hearing loss than current devices. But these added features can cause batteries to drain more quickly if you’re not watching.
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 replace the battery sooner.
All these added functions, like Bluetooth, tinnitus relief, or multichannel, can drain the battery more quickly.
Altitude changes can affect batteries too
Your batteries can be quickly depleted when you have a rapid climb in altitude, and if they’re already low this is particularly true. Be certain that you bring some spares if you’re in the mountains or on an aircraft.
Is the battery really drained?
Many hearing aids will warn you when the batteries need to be replaced. 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 altitude or humidity temporarily causes the charge to dip and the low battery alarm will sound.
You can turn off the alarm by removing and resetting your hearing aid. There could be hours or even days of juice left.
Handling the batteries improperly
You shouldn’t pull off the little tab from the battery before you’re ready to use it. Hand oil or dirt can be a problem for batteries so wash up before handling them. Don’t ever freeze hearing aid batteries. It doesn’t increase their life as it might with other types of batteries.
Hearing aids will drain more quickly if you mishandle them in these ways.
Purchasing a year’s supply of batteries isn’t a good idea
Purchasing in bulk is usually a smart money decision when you can afford it. But you can expect that the last few batteries in the pack won’t last as long. Try to stick with a 6-month supply or less unless you’re okay with the waste.
internet battery vendors
We’re not suggesting it’s always a bad idea to purchase things online. You can get some really good deals. But some less honest people will sell batteries on the internet 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. You wouldn’t buy milk without looking at the expiration. The same goes with batteries. Be certain that the date is well in the future to get the most use out of the pack.
If you buy your batteries at a hearing aid center or pharmacy, the expiration date will be on the labeling, but if you’re going to shop on the internet make sure the vendor specifies when the batteries will expire. Only purchase batteries from reputable sources.
The batteries in hearing aids no longer drain quickly
Hearing aid batteries might drain faster for numerous reasons. But you can get more energy from each battery by taking little precautions. And if you’re thinking of an upgrade, consider rechargeable hearing aids. You will get a full day of power after every night of recharging. Every few years, you will need to change the rechargeable batteries.
