Does it seem as if your hearing aid batteries die way too fast? Here are some unexpected reasons that may occur.
How long should hearing aid batteries last? From 3 to 7 days is the typical period of time for charge to last.
That’s a really wide range. But it’s so wide that it’s unpredictable and might leave you in a bind.
You may be at market on day 4. Out of the blue, you can’t hear anything. The cashier is speaking to you but you can’t hear what they are saying.
Or, you’re out for dinner with friends on day 5. All of a sudden, you can’t hear the conversation and it’s leaving you feeling quite alone.
Maybe you go to your grandchild’s school to watch a play. You can no longer hear the kids singing. But it’s only day 2. Yes, sometimes they even die before the 3rd day.
It’s not only inconvenient. You’re missing out on life because you’re not sure how much juice is left in your hearing aids.
If your hearing aid batteries die too quickly, look to these seven possible culprits.
Moisture can kill a battery
Producing moisture through our skin is one thing that human beings do that most other species don’t. You do it to cool down. You do it to remove extra sodium or toxins in the blood. Your battery may be subjected to even more moisture if you live in a humid or rainy setting.
The air vent in your device can get plugged by this excess moisture which can result in less efficient functionality. It can even interact with the chemicals that make electricity causing it to drain even faster.
Here are several steps you can take to prevent moisture-caused battery drain:
- Don’t keep your hearing aids in the kitchen or bathroom
- Open the battery door before you store your hearing aids
- If you’re storing your hearing aids for an extended time period, take out the batteries
- Get a dehumidifier
Sophisticated modern features are power intensive
Even 10 years ago, hearing aids were much less helpful for people with hearing loss than current devices. But these extra features can cause batteries to drain faster if you’re not watching.
That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use these amazing features. But be aware that the battery will die faster if you spend all day streaming music from your cellphone to your hearing aids.
All these added functions, like Bluetooth, tinnitus relief, or multichannel, can drain the battery faster.
Altitude changes can impact batteries as well
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 let you know when the battery is low. These warnings, as a general rule, aren’t telling you that your batteries are dead, they’re just a heads up. In addition, you may get a warning when the charge takes a dip due to an altitude or humidity change.
Take the hearing aids out and reset them to stop the alarm. You may be able to get several more hours or even days from that battery.
Handling the batteries improperly
You shouldn’t remove the little tab from the battery before you’re ready to use it. Hand oil or dirt can be a problem for batteries so wash up before handling them. Keep your batteries out of the freezer. This may increase the life of other batteries but it doesn’t work with hearing aid batteries.
Hearing aids will drain more quickly if you mishandle them in these ways.
Overstocking on batteries isn’t a good plan
Purchasing in bulk is often 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 last as long. Try to limit yourself to a 6-month supply or less unless you’re fine with the waste.
internet battery vendors
This isn’t a general critique of buying things online. You can find a lot of bargains. But some less scrupulous people will sell batteries online that are very close to the expiration date. Or even worse, it has already passed.
Most types of batteries, including hearing aid batteries, have expiration dates. You wouldn’t buy milk without checking when it expires. The same goes with batteries. Make sure that the date is well in the future to get the most usage out of the pack.
If the website doesn’t state an expiration date, message the seller, or purchase batteries at a pharmacy or hearing aid store where you can see it on the packaging. Only purchase batteries from trustworthy sources.
Hearing aid batteries drain quickly no more
There are several reasons that hearing aid batteries might drain quickly. But by taking small precautions you can get more energy out of each battery. You might also think about rechargeable hearing aids if you’re in the market for a new set. You put these hearing aids on a charger each night for a full day of hearing tomorrow. Every few years, you will have to replace the rechargeable batteries.