Do you feel like your hearing aid batteries won’t keep a charge as long as they should? Here are some unexpected reasons that might occur.How long should hearing aid batteries keep a charge? The ordinary hearing aid battery lasts anywhere from 3 to 7 days. That range is pretty wide. As a matter of fact, it’s so wide that it probably doesn’t help you predict what should be taking place with your hearing aid. Things could suddenly get quiet when you’re trying to hear the cashier at the supermarket after 4 days of battery power. Or it’s day 5 and you’re enjoying a call with friends when unexpectedly you find yourself feeling really alone because you can no longer follow the conversation. Now, you’re watching TV. You can no longer hear the news. Hold on, it’s only day 2. Yes, sometimes they even die before that 3-day mark. It isn’t just annoying. 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 quickly, there are a few likely culprits.
Moisture Can Deplete a Battery
Did you realize that humans are one of the few species that produce moisture through their skin? We do it to cool down. We do it to clear out excess toxins or sodium in the blood. Moreover, you may live in a rainy or humid climate where things get even more moist. The air vent in your hearing aid can become clogged by this additional moisture and it will be less effective. Moisture can also mix with the chemicals of the battery causing it to deplete faster. Here are some steps you can take to prevent moisture-caused battery drain:
- A dehumidifier for your hearing aid is recommended
- Moist conditions, like the kitchen or bathroom aren’t a good place to keep your hearing aids
- Open the battery door when you store the hearing aids
- if your storing them for several days or more, remove the batteries
Advanced Hearing Aid Features Can Deplete Batteries
You get a much better hearing aid now than you did even ten years ago. But if you’re not keeping your eye on them, these advanced functions can cause faster battery drain. You can still use your favorite features. But just know that if you stream music all day from your mobile device to your hearing aids, you’ll have to replace the battery sooner. Bluetooth, multichannel, tinnitus relief, noise canceling — all of these added features can deplete your battery.
Batteries Can be Impacted by Altitude Changes
Your batteries can be sapped out if you go from low to high altitudes specifically if they are already low on juice. Bring some extra batteries if you are going on a plane or high up into the mountains.
It’s Possible That The Batteries Aren’t Really Low
Some hearing aids tell you when the battery is low. Generally speaking, these warnings are giving you a “heads up”. They’re not telling you the battery is dead. Additionally, the charge can sometimes dip temporarily due to altitude or environmental 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. The battery might last a few more hours or even days.
Handling Batteries Improperly
Wait until you’re ready to use your hearing aid to pull the tab from the battery. Make sure you wash your hands before touching your hearing aids or batteries to protect against getting hand oil or dirt on them. Hearing aid batteries should not be frozen. This technique might extend the life of some kinds of battery but it doesn’t work with hearing aid batteries. Simple handling errors like these can cause hearing aid batteries to drain faster.
It isn’t a Good Plan to Purchase a Year’s Supply of Batteries
If you can afford to do it, buying in bulk can be a smart plan. But the last few batteries in the pack probably won’t have full power. Unless you don’t mind wasting a few, try to stay with a six month supply.
Shopping For Hearing Aid Batteries on The Internet
This isn’t a general criticism of purchasing stuff online. There are some pretty great deals out in cyberspace. But some less honest people sell batteries online that are very close to the expiration date. Or worse, it has already passed. So you need to be careful.
There’s an expiration date on both zinc and alkaline batteries. If you were going to buy milk, you would look at the expiration date. You should do that with batteries also. Be sure that the date is well in the future to 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. Only purchase batteries from trusted sources.
Modern Hearing Aids Are Rechargeable
There are several reasons that hearing batteries could drain rapidly. But you can get more life out of your batteries by taking some precautions. If you’re in the market for a new set of hearing aids, you might consider a rechargeable model. You dock them on a charger each night for a full charge the next day. And you only have to replace them every few years.