Does it seem as if your hearing aid batteries drain way too quickly? Here are a few surprising reasons that might happen.What is the average period of time that your hearing aid batteries should keep a charge? The ordinary hearing aid battery should last between 3 and 7 days. That range is fairly wide. So wide, in fact, that it’s unpredictable and puts you in a challenging predicament. Things might suddenly get quiet when you’re trying to hear the cashier at the grocery store after 4 days of battery power. Or perhaps on day 5, you’re having an enjoyable conversation with friends when you suddenly feel really alone because you can’t participate because you can’t hear. Now, you’re watching TV. All of a sudden you can’t hear the news. Wait, it’s only day 2. Yes, occasionally they even die before that 3-day mark. It isn’t just annoying. You just can’t tell how much battery power your hearing aids have left and it’s making you miss out on life. Here are the likely culprits if your hearing aid batteries die quickly.
Moisture Can Deplete a Battery
There aren’t many species that release moisture through their skin but humans do. We do it to cool down. It’s the body’s way of ridding the blood of sodium and toxins. You might also live in a climate that’s moist and humid. The air vent in your hearing aid can become clogged by this extra moisture and it will be less reliable. It can even deplete the battery directly by interacting with the chemicals that create electricity. You can avoid moisture-related battery drainage with these measures:
- Open the battery door before storing the hearing aids
- Don’t leave the batteries in when you’re storing them for several days
- Moist environments, like the kitchen or bathroom are not a good place to keep your hearing aids
- A dehumidifier for your hearing aid is helpful
Advanced Hearing Aid Functions Can Run Down Batteries
You get a much better hearing aid today than you did even a decade ago. But these extra features 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 have to replace the battery sooner. Noise-canceling, Bluetooth, multichannel, tinnitus relief — all of these extra features can deplete your battery.
Batteries Can be Impacted by Altitude Changes
Going from a low to high altitude can sap your batteries, particularly if they’re on their last leg. Take some extra batteries if you are going on a plane or high up into the mountains.
Perhaps The Batteries Aren’t Really Low
Some hearing aids let you know when the battery is running low. These alerts are, under normal circumstances, a “heads up”. They’re not telling you the battery is depleted. Additionally, the charge can occasionally dip briefly due to altitude or environmental changes and that can activate a false low battery warning. Take the hearing aids out and reset them to end the alarm. You may be able to get a few more hours or possibly even days out of that battery.
Improper Handling of Batteries
Wait until you’re about to use your hearing aid to remove the tab from the battery. Steer clear of getting skin oil and dirt on your hearing aid by washing your hands before touching them. Never freeze hearing aid batteries. This technique might extend the life of some kinds of battery but it doesn’t work with hearing aid batteries. Basic handling mistakes such as these can cause hearing aid batteries to drain more quickly.
Getting a Year’s Supply of Batteries Isn’t a Very Good Plan
Buying in bulk is typically a smart money decision 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 be at full power. Try to stay with a 6-month supply or less unless you’re okay with the waste.
Buying Hearing Aid Batteries Online
Shopping online can be a good thing. You can get some good deals. But some less honest people will sell batteries on the internet that are very close to the expiration date. Or even worse, it has already passed. So buyer beware.
There’s an expiration date on both alkaline and zinc batteries. If you were going to buy milk, you would check the expiration date. You should use the same amount of care with batteries. Be sure that the date is well in the future so that you can get the most use out of the pack. If the website doesn’t mention an expiration date, send the online vendor a message, or purchase batteries from us. Only buy batteries from reputable sources.
Now You Can Get Rechargeable Hearing Aids
There are several reasons that hearing batteries might drain quickly. But you can get more power from your batteries by taking some precautions. If you’re in the market for a new pair of hearing aids, you might consider a rechargeable model. If you charge them at night, you get a full day of power the next day. The rechargeable batteries only have to be replaced every few years.