Does it seem as if your hearing aid batteries die way too quickly? There are numerous reasons why this may be taking place that may be surprising.
So how long should the charge on my hearing aid battery last? The standard hearing aid battery lasts anywhere from 3 to 7 days.
That range is rather wide. So wide, in fact, that it’s unpredictable and leaves you in a serious situation.
You may be at market on day 4. Unexpectedly, your sound cuts out. You don’t hear the cashier.
Or it’s day 5. You’re enjoying a night out with friends. Suddenly, you find yourself feeling really alone because you can no longer hear the conversation.
Maybe you go to your grandchild’s school to see a play. And the children’s singing goes quiet. Wait, it’s only day 2. Yes, occasionally they even die before that 3-day mark.
It isn’t simply inconvenient. You’re losing out on life because you’re not sure how much power you have left in your hearing aids.
Here are 7 likely culprits if your hearing aid batteries drain quickly.
Moisture can drain 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. It also helps clear the blood of excess toxins and sodium. On top of this, you may live in a humid or rainy climate where things get even wetter.
This excess moisture can clog the air vent in your device, affecting the hearing aid’s efficiency. It can even kill the battery directly by interacting with the chemicals that generate electricity.
Avoid battery drain caused by moisture with these steps:
- Use a dehumidifier
- Keep your hearing aids in a spot where moisture is minimum
- Open up the battery door before storing the hearing aids
- If you’re storing your hearing aids for an extended time period, remove the batteries
Advanced modern features are power intensive
Even 10 years ago, hearing aids were a lot less helpful for individuals with hearing loss than current devices. But when these advanced features are in use, they can be a drain on battery power.
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 extra features, like Bluetooth, tinnitus relief, or multichannel, can drain the battery faster.
Altitude changes can impact batteries as well
Going from a low to high altitude can drain your batteries, particularly if they’re on their last leg. Make sure you bring some spares if you are in the mountains or on a plane.
Maybe the batteries aren’t actually drained
Some hearing aids tell you when the battery is low. As a general rule, these alerts are giving you a “heads up”. They’re not telling you the battery is dead. Additionally, you may get a warning when the charge drops due to an altitude or humidity change.
You can turn off the alarm by removing and resetting your hearing aid. You might be able to get several more hours or even days from that battery.
Improper handling of batteries
You shouldn’t remove the little tab from the battery if you’re not ready to use it. Hand oil or dirt can be an issue for batteries so wash up before handling them. Never freeze hearing aid batteries. It doesn’t extend their life as it might with other kinds of batteries.
Hearing aids will drain faster if you mishandle them in these ways.
Buying a year’s supply of batteries isn’t a good idea
Purchasing in bulk is usually 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. It can be a waste to purchase any more than 6 months worth.
Online battery vendors
We’re not suggesting it’s always a bad idea to buy things online. You can find a lot of bargains. 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 passed.
Most types of batteries, including hearing aid batteries, have expiration dates. When you purchase milk, you wouldn’t forget to check the date it expires. You shouldn’t forget to check the date on batteries either. Make sure that the date is well in the future to get the most use out of the pack.
If the website doesn’t state an expiration date, send the online vendor a message, or buy batteries at a pharmacy or hearing aid store where you can see it on the packaging. Make sure you look for reviews to be certain you’re purchasing from a reputable source.
Hearing aid batteries drain quickly no more
There are numerous reasons that hearing aid batteries might drain quickly. But by taking little precautions you can get more energy out of each battery. And if you’re considering an upgrade, think about rechargeable hearing aids. You will get a full day of power after every night of recharging. The rechargeable batteries only need to be replaced every few years.
