Does it seem as if your hearing aid batteries drain way too fast? There are numerous reasons why this might be taking place that might be surprising.
So how long should the charge on my hearing aid battery last? From 3 to 7 days is the standard time-frame for charge to last.
That’s a really wide range. But it’s so wide that it’s unpredictable and might leave you in trouble.
You could be at market on day 4. Suddenly, your sound cuts out. The cashier is speaking to you but you can’t hear what they are saying.
Or it’s day 5. You’re enjoying a night out with friends. All of a sudden, you can’t follow the discussion and it’s leaving you feeling quite alone.
Now, you’re at your grandson’s school play. And the children’s singing goes quiet. Wait, it’s just day 2. Yes, sometimes they even drain before the 3rd day.
It’s more than annoying. You’re losing out on life because you’re not sure how much power is left in your hearing aids.
If your hearing aid batteries die too quickly, check out these seven possible culprits.
Your Battery can be drained by moisture
Did you know that humans are one of the few species that release moisture through their skin? You do it to cool down. It also helps clear the blood of excess toxins and sodium. On top of this, you may live in a rainy humid environment where things get even wetter.
The air vent in your device can get clogged by this extra moisture which can result in less efficient functionality. It can even drain the battery directly by interacting with the chemicals that make electricity.
Prevent battery drain caused by moisture with these steps:
- Take the batteries out if you’re storing them for a few days
- A dehumidifier can be helpful
- Don’t keep your hearing aids in the kitchen or bathroom
- Before going to bed, open the battery door
Advanced modern features are power intensive
Even 10 years ago, hearing aids were a lot less helpful for individuals with hearing loss than current devices. But these added functions can cause batteries to drain faster if you’re not paying attention.
Don’t stop 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.
Noise-canceling, Bluetooth, multichannel, tinnitus relief — all of these extra functions can drain your battery.
Altitude changes can affect batteries too
Going from a low to high altitude can sap your batteries, especially if they’re on their last leg. Make sure you bring some spares if you are in the mountains or on a plane.
Is the battery actually drained?
Many hearing aids will warn 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 simply a heads up. On top of this, sometimes an environmental change in humidity or altitude temporarily causes the charge to dip and the low battery alarm will sound.
Take the hearing aids out and reset them to quiet the alarm. You may be able to get several more hours or even days from that battery.
Improper handling of batteries
You shouldn’t pull off the little tab from the battery before you’re ready to use it. Hand oil or dirt can be an issue for batteries so wash up before you handle them. Keep your batteries away from the freezer. It doesn’t extend their life as it might with other types 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
It’s often a wise financial decision to buy in bulk. But as you get toward the end of the pack, the last several batteries likely won’t last as long. It can be a waste to purchase any more than a 6 month supply.
internet battery vendors
This isn’t a broad criticism of buying things on the internet. You can get some great deals. But some less honest individuals will sell batteries on the internet that are very near to the expiration date. Or worse, it has already gone by.
Both alkaline (AA, AAA, etc.) and zinc hearing aid batteries have expiration dates. You wouldn’t purchase milk without checking the expiration. You shouldn’t forget to check the date on batteries either. Be certain that the date is far enough in the future to get the most usage out of the pack.
If the website doesn’t state an expiration date, send the online vendor a message, or buy batteries at a pharmacy or hearing aid center where you can see it on the packaging. Only buy batteries from trustworthy sources.
The batteries in hearing aids no longer drain quickly
There are several reasons that hearing aid batteries might drain quickly. But by taking small precautions you can get more power out of each battery. You may also consider rechargeable hearing aids if you’re shopping for a new set. You dock these hearing aids on a charger each night for a full day of hearing tomorrow. Every few years, you will need to replace the rechargeable batteries.