Does it seem like your hearing aid batteries drain way too fast? The reasons for this are sometimes unexpected.What is the average period of time that your hearing aid batteries should stay charged? The typical hearing aid battery should last anywhere from 3 to 7 days. That range is fairly wide. In fact, it’s so wide that it probably can’t help you predict what should be going on with your hearing aid. You could be on day 4 at the grocery store when unexpectedly, things go quiet and you’re unable to hear the cashier. Or it’s day 5 and you’re enjoying a call with friends when suddenly you find yourself feeling really alone because you can no longer follow the conversation. Sometimes the batteries don’t even make that 3 day mark. Like when you’re watching TV on day 2 and all of a sudden you can’t hear the show your watching. It’s more than a little inconvenient. You’re missing out on life because you’re not sure how much battery power you have left in your hearing aids. If your hearing aid batteries are dying too fast, there are several likely culprits.
A Battery Can be Depleted by Moisture
Did you realize that humans are one of the few species that produce moisture through their skin? We do it to cool off. We do it to get rid of excess toxins or sodium in the blood. On top of this, you may live in a rainy or humid climate where things get even more moist. This extra 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 which produce electricity. Here are a few steps you can take to prevent moisture-caused battery drain:
- When you store your hearing aids, open the battery door
- Moist conditions, like the kitchen or bathroom aren’t a good place to keep your hearing aids
- Obtain a dehumidifier for your hearing aids
- if your storing them for a few days or more, take the batteries out
Advanced Hearing Aid Features Can Deplete Batteries
Advanced digital hearing aids help people hear so much better than ones that came out just ten years ago. But if you’re not paying attention, these advanced functions can cause faster battery drain. You can still use your favorite features. But just know that if you stream music for hours from your smartphone to your hearing aids, you’ll have to replace the battery sooner. Your battery can be depleted by any of the advanced features, like Bluetooth, multichannel, noise cancellation, and tinnitus relief.
Batteries Can be Affected by Altitude Changes
Going from a low to high altitude can drain your batteries, specifically if they’re on their older. When flying, skiing or climbing always brings some extra batteries.
Are The Batteries Really Low?
Some hearing aids let you know when the battery is low. Generally speaking, these alerts are giving you a “heads up”. It doesn’t mean you have a dead battery. Additionally, the charge can occasionally drop briefly due to environmental or altitude changes and that can trigger a false low battery warning. In order to stop the alarm, take the batteries out, and then put them back in. You might be able to get a few more hours or even days of battery life.
Handling Batteries Improperly
Wait until you’re ready to use your hearing aid to remove the tab from the battery. Make sure you wash your hands before touching your hearing aids or batteries to avoid getting dirt or hand oil on them. Never freeze hearing aid batteries. This technique might increase the life of some kinds of battery but it doesn’t work with hearing aid 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 Very Good Plan
If you can afford to do it, purchasing in bulk can be a smart plan. But as you come to the end of the pack, the last several batteries likely won’t last as long. Unless you don’t mind wasting a few, try to stay with a six month supply.
Buying Hearing Aid Batteries Online
Buying from the web can be a good thing. You can get some great deals. But some less honest people will sell batteries online that are very close to the expiration date. Or worse, they are already passed. So you need to be cautious.
There’s an expiration date on both alkaline and zinc batteries. You wouldn’t buy milk without looking at the expiration date. You need to do that with batteries too. Make sure that the date is not close to the expiration so that you can get the most use out of the pack. It’s probably a good idea to message the vendor if there isn’t an expiration date or better yet, come see us for your battery needs. Be sure you know and trust the seller.
Today You Can Get Rechargeable Hearing Aids
Hearing aids may drain too quickly for several reasons. But by taking little precautions you can get more life from each battery. If you’re looking to buy a new pair of hearing aids, you might decide on a rechargeable model. If you charge them while you sleep, you get a full day of hearing the next day. The rechargeable batteries only have to be replaced every few years.
