Does it seem like your hearing aid batteries drain way too fast? There are numerous reasons why this may be taking place that may be unexpected.
How long should hearing aid batteries last? From 3 to 7 days is the standard period of time for charge to last.
That range is rather wide. But it’s so wide that it’s unpredictable and may leave you in a bind.
You could be on day 4 at the grocery store. All of a sudden, you can’t hear anything. The cashier is talking to you but you can’t hear what they are saying.
Or it’s day 5. You’re appreciating a night out with friends. All of a sudden, you can’t follow the conversation and it’s leaving you feeling quite alone.
Now, you’re attending your grandson’s school play. You can no longer hear the children singing. But it’s only day 2. Yes, sometimes they even die before that 3-day mark.
It’s not simply inconvenient. You’re missing out on life because you’re not sure how much power you have left in your hearing aids.
If your hearing aid batteries drain too quickly, look to these seven possible culprits.
Moisture can drain a battery
Did you realize that human beings are one of the few species that release moisture through their skin? It’s a cooling mechanism. You do it to remove extra sodium or toxins in the blood. In addition, you might live in a rainy humid climate where things get even wetter.
The air vent in your device can get plugged 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.
Avoid battery drain related to moisture with these steps:
- Open up the battery door before storing the hearing aids
- A dehumidifier can be helpful
- Take the batteries out if you’re storing them for several days
- Don’t store your hearing aids in the bathroom or kitchen
Advanced hearing aid features can run down batteries
Even 10 years ago, hearing aids were a lot less helpful for individuals with hearing loss than current devices. But when these sophisticated features are being used, they can be a draw on battery power.
Don’t quit 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 replace the battery sooner.
Noise-canceling, Bluetooth, multichannel, tinnitus relief — all of these added functions can drain your battery.
Altitude changes can affect batteries too
Your batteries can be quickly depleted when you have a quick climb in altitude, and if they’re already low this is especially true. Be certain that you bring some spares if you’re in the mountains or on an aircraft.
Is the battery actually drained?
Some hearing aids tell you when the battery is getting low. Generally, these alerts are giving you a “heads up”. They aren’t telling you the battery is dead. Moreover, sometimes an environmental change in altitude or humidity temporarily causes the charge to dip and the low battery alarm gets triggered.
Take the hearing aids out and reset them to quiet the alarm. There could be hours or even days of juice left.
Handling the batteries improperly
You shouldn’t 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 handling them. Never freeze hearing aid batteries. It doesn’t extend their life as it might with other kinds of batteries.
Hearing aids will drain faster if you mishandle them in these ways.
Buying a year’s supply of batteries isn’t a great idea
It’s usually a wise financial choice to buy in bulk. But as you get toward the end of the pack, the last few batteries most likely won’t last as long. It can be a waste to buy any more than a 6 month supply.
Buying hearing aid batteries online
This isn’t a general critique of buying things online. You can find lots of bargains. But you will also come across some less honest vendors who will sell batteries that are close to or even past their expiration date.
Most kinds of batteries, including hearing aid batteries, have expiration dates. You wouldn’t buy milk without looking at when it expires. You shouldn’t do that with batteries either. Make sure that the date is far enough 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 center where you can see it on the box. Make sure you check reviews to be certain you’re purchasing from a trustworthy source.
The batteries in hearing aids no longer drain quickly
Hearing aid batteries may drain more quickly for numerous reasons. But by taking small precautions you can get more energy out of each battery. And if you’re considering an upgrade, consider rechargeable hearing aids. You dock these hearing aids on a charger every night for an entire day of hearing the next day. The rechargeable batteries only have to be swapped out every few years.