Do your hearing aid batteries seem to drain quicker than they ought to? Here are a few surprising reasons that might happen.
How long should hearing aid batteries last? From 3 to 7 days is the typical time-frame for charge to last.
That’s a really wide range. But it’s so wide that it’s unpredictable and may leave you in a bind.
You may be at market on day 4. Unexpectedly, your sound cuts out. The cashier is talking to you but you don’t hear what they are saying.
Or, you’re out for dinner with friends on day 5. Suddenly, you find yourself feeling very alone because you can no longer hear 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, sometimes they even die before the 3rd day.
It isn’t simply inconvenient. You’re missing out on life because you don’t know how much juice is left in your hearing aids.
Here are 7 likely causes if your hearing aid batteries die quickly.
Moisture can drain a battery
Did you realize that human beings are one of the few species that discharge moisture through their skin? You do it to cool down. It also cleans the blood of excess 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 become clogged by this excess moisture which can cause less efficient functionality. It can even kill the battery directly by interacting with the chemicals that produce electricity.
Here are several steps you can take to avoid moisture-caused battery drain:
- A dehumidifier can be helpful
- Open up the battery door before storing the hearing aids
- If you’re storing your hearing aids for a prolonged time period, remove the batteries
- Store your hearing aids in a spot where moisture is at a minimum
Advanced modern features are power intensive
Current digital hearing aids help individuals hear so much better than ones that came out just a decade ago. But when these sophisticated features are being used, they can be a draw on battery power.
Don’t stop using your favorite 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.
Noise-canceling, Bluetooth, multichannel, tinnitus relief — all of these added functions can drain your battery.
Batteries can be affected 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 particularly true. When flying, climbing, or skiing always takes some spares.
Maybe the batteries aren’t really drained
Many hearing aids will warn you when the batteries need to be changed. These warnings, generally speaking, aren’t telling you that your batteries are dead, they’re just a heads up. Additionally, you may get a warning when the charge takes a dip because of an altitude or humidity change.
Take out the hearing aids and reset them to stop the alarm. You may be able to get several more hours or even days out of that battery.
Handling the batteries incorrectly
Wait until it’s time to use the battery before you remove the protective tab. Always wash your hands before handling your hearing aids or batteries so you don’t get hand oil or dirt on them. Keep your batteries out of the freezer. It doesn’t extend their life as it might with other kinds of batteries.
Hearing aids will drain more quickly if you mishandle them in these ways.
Overstocking on batteries isn’t a good plan
Buying in bulk is often a smart money decision when you can afford to do it. But as you get toward the end of the pack, the last several batteries most likely won’t last as long. Try to limit yourself to a 6-month supply or less unless you’re fine with the waste.
Buying hearing aid batteries online
This isn’t a general criticism of buying things on the internet. You can find a lot of bargains. But you will also find some less honest sellers who will sell batteries that are close to or even past their expiration date.
Most types of batteries, including hearing aid batteries, have expiration dates. When you buy milk, you wouldn’t forget to look at the expiration date. You shouldn’t forget to check the date on batteries either. In order to get the most from your battery, make sure the date is well into the future.
If the website doesn’t state an expiration date, send the online vendor a message, or purchase batteries at a pharmacy or hearing aid store where you can see it on the box. Only buy batteries from reliable sources.
The batteries in hearing aids no longer drain quickly
Hearing aid batteries might drain more quickly for several reasons. But you can get more power from each battery by taking little precautions. 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. Every few years, you will have to replace the rechargeable batteries.