Does it seem like your hearing aid batteries drain way too quickly? Here are some unexpected reasons that might occur.
How long should hearing aid batteries last? The ordinary hearing aid battery lasts anywhere between 3 and 7 days.
That range is pretty wide. But it’s so wide that it’s unpredictable and may leave you in trouble.
You could be at market on day 4. Unexpectedly, things get quiet. 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.
Perhaps you go to your grandchild’s school to watch a play. And the kid’s singing goes quiet. Wait, it’s only day 2. Yes, occasionally they even drain before the 3rd day.
It’s more than annoying. You’re missing out on life because you’re not sure how much juice is left in your hearing aids.
If your hearing aid batteries drain too quickly, check out these seven possible culprits.
Moisture can drain a battery
Did you know that human beings are one of the few species that produce moisture through their skin? You do it to cool down. You do it to eliminate extra sodium or toxins in the blood. On top of this, you might live in a humid or rainy environment where things get even wetter.
The air vent in your device can become clogged by this excess moisture which can result in less efficient performance. It can even kill the battery directly by interacting with the chemicals that make electricity.
Here are several steps you can take to prevent moisture-caused battery drain:
- Don’t keep your hearing aids in the kitchen or bathroom
- Open the battery door before you store your hearing aids
- Get a dehumidifier
- If you’re storing your hearing aids for a prolonged period of time, take out the batteries
Advanced hearing aid features can drain batteries
Current digital hearing aids help individuals hear so much better than ones that came out only 10 years ago. But when these sophisticated functions are in use, they can be a drain on battery power.
Don’t stop 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 change the battery sooner.
Noise-canceling, Bluetooth, multichannel, tinnitus relief — all of these added features can drain your battery.
Batteries can be affected by altitude changes
Going from a low to high altitude can drain your batteries, especially if they’re low already. When flying, skiing, or climbing remember to bring some spares.
Maybe the batteries aren’t actually drained
Some hearing aids let you know when the battery is low. As a general rule, these warnings are giving you a “heads up”. They’re not telling you the battery is dead. Additionally, you may get a warning when the charge takes a dip due to an altitude or humidity change.
Take the hearing aids out and reset them to quiet the alarm. There may be hours or even days of power left.
Incorrect handling of batteries
You should never 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 you handle them. Keep your batteries out of the freezer. This may increase the life of other batteries but it doesn’t work with hearing aid batteries.
Hearing aids will drain faster if you mishandle them in these ways.
Overstocking on batteries isn’t a good plan
Buying in bulk is usually a smart money decision when you can afford it. But you can anticipate that the last few batteries in the pack will drain faster. It can be a waste to buy any more than a 6 month supply.
Buying hearing aid batteries online
This isn’t a general criticism of buying things on the internet. You can get some great deals. But some less scrupulous people will sell batteries online that are very near to the expiration date. Or even worse, it has already gone by.
Both alkaline (AA, AAA, etc.) and zinc hearing aid batteries have an expiration date. You wouldn’t purchase milk without looking at when it expires. The same goes with batteries. 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 purchase batteries at a pharmacy or hearing aid store where you can see it on the box. Make sure you look for reviews to be certain you’re buying from a reliable source.
Hearing aid batteries drain quickly no more
There are several reasons that hearing aid batteries could drain quickly. But by taking little precautions you can get more power from each battery. You may also think about rechargeable hearing aids if you’re shopping for a new pair. You will get a full day of power after each night of recharging. The rechargeable batteries only have to be swapped out every few years.