Does it seem like your hearing aid batteries drain way too fast? Here are some surprising reasons that might happen. How long should hearing aid batteries keep a charge? Between 3 to 7 days is standard. That’s a really wide range. So wide, actually, that it’s unpredictable and puts you in a challenging predicament. Things could suddenly go quiet when you’re trying to hear the cashier at the grocery store after 4 days of battery power. Or it’s day 5 and you’re having a call with friends when all of a sudden you find yourself feeling really alone because you can no longer hear the conversation. Occasionally the batteries don’t even make 3 days. Like when you’re watching TV on day 2 and all of a sudden you can’t hear the show your watching. It’s not 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. If your hearing aid batteries are dying too fast, there are a small number of likely causes.
A Battery Can be Drained by Moisture
There aren’t many species that produce moisture through their skin but humans do. It’s a cooling method. It’s the body’s way of ridding the blood of toxins and sodium. You might also live in a climate that’s moist and humid. This extra moisture can clog the air vent in your device, making it less efficient. It can even deplete the battery directly by interacting with the chemicals which create electricity. You can avoid moisture-related battery drainage with these measures:
- Don’t leave the batteries in if you’re storing them for several days
- Don’t keep your hearing aids in the bathroom, kitchen or other damp conditions
- Get a dehumidifier for your hearing aids
- When you store your hearing aids, open the battery door
Advanced Hearing Aid Features Can Deplete Batteries
You get a much better hearing aid now 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 remember, you will have to switch out the battery sooner if you are streaming music from your phone for hours. Bluetooth, multichannel, tinnitus relief, noise canceling — all of these additional features can deplete your battery.
Batteries Can be Impacted by Altitude Changes
Your batteries can be drained if you go from low to high altitudes specifically if they are already low on juice. Take some extra batteries if you are going on a plane or high up into the mountains.
Are The Batteries Really Low?
Some models will give you a warning when the battery begins to get too low. These warnings are, ordinarily, a “heads up”. They’re not telling you the battery is depleted. On top of this, sometimes an environmental change in altitude or humidity briefly causes the charge to drop and the low battery alert gets triggered. In order to stop the alarm, take the batteries out, and then put them back in. You might be able to get a few more hours or possibly even days out of that battery.
Handling Batteries Improperly
You should never remove the little tab from the battery until you’re ready to use it. Steer clear of getting dirt and skin oil on your hearing aid by cleansing your hands before touching them. Never freeze hearing aid batteries. This technique might increase the life of some types of battery but it doesn’t work with hearing aid batteries. Hearing aid batteries may lose battery power quicker if you make these simple handling mistakes.
Buying a Year’s Supply of Batteries Isn’t a Good Plan
If you can afford to do it, purchasing in bulk can be a smart idea. But as you come to the end of the pack, the last few batteries probably won’t last as long. Try to stay with a 6-month supply or less unless you’re okay with wasting a few.
Buying Hearing Aid Batteries on The Web
Buying from the web can be a good thing. There are some pretty great deals out in cyberspace. But some less scrupulous people sell batteries online that are very close to the expiration date. Or even worse, it has already passed. So buyer beware.
Both alkaline (AA, AAA, etc.) and zinc hearing aid batteries have an expiration date. You shouldn’t buy milk without checking the expiration date. You need to do that with batteries too. If you want to get the most from your pack, make sure the date is well in the future. It’s probably a good idea to message the vendor if you don’t see an expiration date or better yet, come see us for your battery needs. Only purchase batteries from trusted sources.
Now You Can Get Rechargeable Hearing Aids
Hearing aids could drain too rapidly for numerous reasons. But by taking little precautions you can get more energy from each battery. You might also consider rechargeable hearing aids if you’re in the market for a new set. You dock them on a charger every night for a full day of hearing the next day. The rechargeable batteries only have to be changed every few years.