Does it seem like your hearing aid batteries die way too fast? There are several reasons why this may be happening that may be surprising.
So how far should the charge on my hearing aid battery go? From 3 to 7 days is the typical time-frame for charge to last.
That range is fairly wide. But it’s so wide that it’s unpredictable and may leave you in a bind.
You may be at the store on day 4. Suddenly, your sound cuts out. The cashier is speaking to you but you can’t hear what they are saying.
Or it’s day 5. You’re appreciating a night out with friends. Suddenly, you find yourself feeling very alone because you can no longer hear what your friends are saying.
Perhaps you go to your grandchild’s school to watch a play. And the kid’s singing disappears. But it’s only day 2. Yes, sometimes they even die before that 3-day mark.
It’s more than annoying. You have no idea how much juice is left and it’s causing you to miss out on life.
If your hearing aid batteries drain too quickly, look to these seven possible causes.
Your Battery can be drained by moisture
Did you realize that human beings are one of the few species that produce moisture through their skin? It’s a cooling mechanism. You do it to get rid of extra sodium or toxins in the blood. In addition, you may live in a rainy humid climate where things get even wetter.
This extra moisture can clog up the air vent in your device, affecting the hearing aid’s efficiency. It can even drain the battery directly by interacting with the chemicals that produce electricity.
Prevent battery drain related to moisture using these steps:
- Take the batteries out if you’re storing them for a few days
- Don’t store your hearing aids in the kitchen or bathroom
- Get a dehumidifier
- Before you go to bed, open up the battery door
Advanced hearing aid functions can drain batteries
Even 10 years ago, hearing aids were much less helpful for individuals with hearing loss than modern devices. But when these sophisticated functions are being used, they can be a draw on battery power.
Don’t quit using your favorite features. But be aware that the battery will die faster if you spend all day streaming music from your cellphone to your hearing aids.
Noise-canceling, Bluetooth, multichannel, tinnitus relief — all of these added features can drain your battery.
Altitude changes can impact batteries too
Going from a low to high altitude can deplete your batteries, particularly if they’re on their last leg. Make sure you bring some spares if you are in the mountains or on an aircraft.
Maybe the batteries aren’t really drained
Many hearing aids will alert you when the batteries need to be changed. These warnings, as a general rule, aren’t telling you that your batteries are dead, they’re just a heads up. Moreover, sometimes an environmental change in altitude or humidity temporarily causes the charge to dip and the low battery alarm will sound.
Take out the hearing aids and reset them to quiet the alarm. There could be hours or even days of power left.
Incorrect handling of batteries
Wait until you’re ready to use the battery before you remove the protective tab. Hand oil or dirt can be an issue for batteries so wash up before you handle them. Keep your batteries out of the freezer. It doesn’t extend their life as it might with other types of batteries.
Hearing aids will drain faster if you mishandle them in these ways.
Overstocking on batteries isn’t a good plan
It’s usually a wise financial decision to purchase in bulk. But you can expect that the last several batteries in the pack will drain faster. Try to limit yourself to a 6-month supply or less unless you’re okay with the waste.
Online battery vendors
We’re not claiming it’s automatically a bad idea to buy things online. You can get some really good deals. But some less honest people will sell batteries online that are very close to the expiration date. Or worse, it has already passed.
Most types of batteries, including hearing aid batteries, have expiration dates. When you buy milk, you wouldn’t forget to check the date it expires. The same goes with batteries. Make sure that the date is far enough in the future to get the most usage out of the pack.
If the website doesn’t state an expiration date, send the online vendor a message, or purchase batteries at a pharmacy or hearing aid center where you can see it on the box. Make sure you look for reviews to be certain you’re buying from a reputable source.
The batteries in hearing aids no longer drain quickly
There are several reasons that hearing aid batteries might drain quickly. But you can get more power from each battery by taking small precautions. You might also think about rechargeable hearing aids if you’re shopping for a new set. You will get a full day of power after every night of recharging. The rechargeable batteries only have to be replaced every few years.