Does it seem as if your hearing aid batteries die way too fast? There are several reasons why this may be occurring that might be unexpected.
How long should hearing aid batteries last? From 3 to 7 days is the standard time-frame for charge to last.
That range is rather wide. So wide, in fact, that it’s unpredictable and leaves you in a serious predicament.
You could be on day 4 at the supermarket store. Unexpectedly, things get quiet. The cashier is talking to you but you don’t hear what they are saying.
Or, you’re out for lunch with friends on day 5. All of a sudden, you can’t hear the conversation and it’s leaving you feeling rather alone.
Now, you’re at your grandchild’s school play. You can no longer hear the kids singing. 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 power is left and it’s causing you to miss out on life.
Here are 7 likely causes if your hearing aid batteries die quickly.
Your Battery can be drained by moisture
Did you realize that humans are one of the few species that discharge moisture through their skin? It’s a cooling system. You do it to eliminate excess sodium or toxins in the blood. Your battery could be exposed to even more moisture if you live in a humid or rainy setting.
This excess moisture can clog up the air vent in your device, affecting the hearing aid’s efficiency. It can even interact with the chemicals that generate electricity causing it to drain even faster.
Avoid battery drain related to moisture using these steps:
- If you’re storing your hearing aids for an extended time period, take out the batteries
- Open up the battery door before you store your hearing aids
- Use a dehumidifier
- Store your hearing aids in a place where moisture is at a minimum
Advanced modern features are power intensive
Even a decade ago, hearing aids were a lot less helpful for individuals with hearing loss than modern devices. But these added functions can cause batteries to drain faster if you’re not paying attention.
Don’t quit using your favorite features. But just know that if you stream music all day from your smartphone to your hearing aids, you’ll need to replace the battery sooner.
All these added functions, like Bluetooth, tinnitus relief, or multichannel, can drain the battery more quickly.
Batteries can be impacted by altitude changes
Going from a low to high altitude can drain your batteries, especially if they’re low already. Make sure you bring some spares if you are in the mountains or on an aircraft.
Is the battery really drained?
Many hearing aids will warn you when the batteries need to be changed. As a general rule, 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 will sound.
You can stop the alarm by removing and resetting your hearing aid. There may be hours or even days of juice left.
Handling the batteries improperly
Wait until it’s time to use the battery before you remove the protective tab. Make sure you wash your hands before handling your hearing aids or batteries to avoid getting hand oil or dirt on them. Never freeze hearing aid batteries. It doesn’t extend their life as it might with other kinds of batteries.
Simple handling errors like these can make hearing aid batteries drain quickly.
Purchasing a year’s supply of batteries isn’t a great idea
Purchasing in bulk is usually a smart money choice when you can afford to do it. But as you get toward the end of the pack, the last several batteries most likely won’t last as long. Try to stick with a 6-month supply or less unless you’re okay with the waste.
Online battery vendors
This isn’t a general critique of buying things on the internet. You can get some great deals. But some less honest people will sell batteries on the internet that are very near to the expiration date. Or worse, it has already gone by.
Most kinds of batteries, including hearing aid batteries, have expiration dates. When you buy milk, you wouldn’t forget to look at the expiration date. 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 you purchase your batteries at a hearing aid center or pharmacy, the expiration date will be on the packaging, but if you’re going to shop online be sure the vendor specifies when the batteries will expire. Make sure you look for reviews to be certain you’re buying from a trustworthy source.
The batteries in hearing aids no longer drain quickly
Hearing aid batteries may drain faster for several reasons. But by taking little precautions you can get more power from each battery. And if you’re thinking of an upgrade, consider rechargeable hearing aids. You will get an entire day of power after every night of recharging. Every few years, you will have to replace the rechargeable batteries.