Does it seem like your hearing aid batteries die way too fast? Here are some unexpected reasons that might happen.
So how long should the charge on my hearing aid battery go? 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 situation.
You could be on day 4 at the grocery store. All of a sudden, you can’t hear anything. 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. All of a sudden, you can’t hear the discussion and it’s leaving you feeling rather alone.
Perhaps you go to your grandchild’s school to see a play. You can no longer hear the kids singing. But it’s only day 2. Yes, they even occasionally die after a couple of days.
It’s more than inconvenient. You have no idea how much juice is left and it’s causing you to miss out on life.
Here are 7 likely culprits if your hearing aid batteries drain quickly.
Moisture can kill 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 get rid of extra sodium or toxins in the blood. In addition, you might 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 interact with the chemicals that produce electricity causing it to drain even faster.
Avoid battery drain related to moisture using these steps:
- Keep your hearing aids in a place where moisture is at a minimum
- If you’re storing your hearing aids for a prolonged time period, take out the batteries
- Before going to bed, open the battery door
- Get a dehumidifier
State-of-the-art hearing aid functions can drain batteries
Even 10 years ago, hearing aids were a lot less helpful for individuals with hearing loss than current devices. But these added features can cause batteries to drain more quickly if you’re not watching.
Don’t quit using your favorite features. But be aware that the battery will die faster if you spend hours streaming music from your phone to your hearing aids.
All these added features, like Bluetooth, tinnitus relief, or multichannel, can drain the battery faster.
Altitude changes can affect batteries as well
Your batteries can be drained quickly when you have a quick climb in altitude, and if they’re already low this is particularly true. Be certain that you bring some spares if you are in the mountains or on an aircraft.
Is the battery really drained?
Many hearing aids will alert you when the batteries need to be replaced. These warnings, as a general rule, aren’t telling you that your batteries are dead, they’re just a heads up. In addition, you might get a warning when the charge takes a dip due to an altitude or humidity change.
Take out the hearing aids and reset them to quiet the alarm. You might be able to get several more hours or even days out of that battery.
Incorrect handling of batteries
Wait until it’s time to use the battery before you pull off the protective tab. Hand oil or dirt can be a problem 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.
Basic handling errors like these can make hearing aid batteries drain quickly.
Buying a year’s supply of batteries isn’t a good idea
It’s often a practical financial decision to purchase in bulk. But as you get toward the end of the pack, the last several batteries most likely won’t last as long. It can be a waste to buy any more than 6 months worth.
Buying hearing aid batteries online
This isn’t a general criticism of buying stuff online. You can get some really good deals. But some less honest individuals will sell batteries online that are very close to the expiration date. Or worse, it has already gone by.
Both alkaline (AA, AAA, etc.) and zinc 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. In order to get the most from your battery, make sure the date is well into the future.
If the website doesn’t declare an expiration date, send the online vendor a message, or buy batteries at a pharmacy or hearing aid store where you can see it on the box. Make sure you check reviews to be certain you’re purchasing from a reliable source.
Hearing aid batteries drain quickly no longer
Hearing aid batteries might drain more quickly for several reasons. But you can get more power from each battery by taking small precautions. 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 tomorrow. The rechargeable batteries only need to be replaced every few years.