Do you feel like your hearing aid batteries won’t keep a charge as long as they should? Here are some surprising reasons that could occur. What is the average length of time that your hearing aid batteries should stay charged? The standard hearing aid battery lasts between 3 and 7 days. That’s a very wide range. In fact, it’s so wide that it probably won’t help you predict what should be going on with your hearing aid. Things might suddenly go quiet when you’re trying to hear the cashier at the grocery store after 4 days of battery power. Or perhaps on day 5, you’re enjoying a conversation with friends when you unexpectedly feel really alone because you can’t participate because you can’t hear. Now, you’re watching the TV. All of a sudden you can’t hear the news. Hold on, it’s only day 2. Yes, sometimes they even drain before that 3-day mark. It’s more than a little inconvenient. You’re missing out on life because you’re not sure how much juice you have left in your hearing aids. Here are the likely culprits if your hearing aid batteries drain too soon.
Moisture Can Drain a Battery
There aren’t many species that produce moisture through their skin but humans do. It’s a cooling method. We do it to get rid of excess sodium or toxins in the blood. You might also live in a climate that is moist and humid. This excess moisture can clog the air vent in your device, making it less reliable. Moisture can also interact with the chemicals of the battery causing it to deplete faster. Here are a few steps you can take to avoid moisture-caused battery drain:
- A dehumidifier for your hearing aid is helpful
- Open the battery door before storing the hearing aids
- Moist environments, like the kitchen or bathroom are not a good place to keep your hearing aids
- Don’t leave the batteries in if you’re storing them for a few days
Advanced Hearing Aid Functions Can Run Down Batteries
Current digital hearing aids help people hear so much better than ones that came out just 10 years ago. But these extra features can cause batteries to drain faster if you’re not paying attention. You can still use your favorite features. But remember, you will need to switch out the battery sooner if you are streaming music from your phone for hours. Noise-canceling, Bluetooth, multichannel, tinnitus relief — all of these additional functions can deplete your battery.
Altitude Changes Can Impact Batteries Too
Going from a low to high altitude can sap your batteries, particularly if they’re on their last leg. Bring some spare 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 models will give you an alert when the battery begins to get too low. Generally, these alerts are giving you a “heads up”. They’re not telling you the battery is depleted. Furthermore, the charge can sometimes dip temporarily due to environmental or altitude changes and that can activate a false low battery warning. Remove the hearing aids and reset them to stop the alarm. 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 remove the tab from the battery. Always wash your hands before touching your hearing aids or batteries to protect against getting dirt or hand oil on them. Never freeze hearing aid batteries. This technique might extend the life of some types of battery but it doesn’t work with hearing aid batteries. Basic handling mistakes like these can cause hearing aid batteries to drain more quickly.
It isn’t a Good Plan to Buy a Year’s Supply of Batteries
Buying in bulk is usually a smart money move when you can afford to do it. But the last few batteries in the pack most likely won’t have full power. Try to stay with a 6-month supply or less unless you’re fine with the waste.
Purchasing Hearing Aid Batteries Online
This isn’t a broad critique of purchasing stuff on the internet. You can get some great deals. But some less honest people sell batteries on the internet that are very near to the expiration date. They may even be past their expiration date. So you need to be careful.
There’s an expiration date on both alkaline and zinc batteries. You shouldn’t buy milk without looking at the expiration. You have to use the same amount of care with batteries. Make sure that the date is not close to the expiration to get the most use out of the pack. If the website doesn’t mention an expiration date, send the online vendor a message, or buy batteries directly from us. Only buy batteries from reputable sources.
Now You Can Get Rechargeable Hearing Aids
There are several reasons that hearing batteries may drain quickly. But by taking little precautions you can get more energy out of each battery. You may also consider rechargeable hearing aids if you’re going to buy a new set. You put them on a charger every night for a full day of hearing the next day. And you only have to change them every few years.