Does it seem like your hearing aid batteries drain way too fast? Here are some surprising reasons that may happen.
How long should hearing aid batteries last? The typical hearing aid battery lasts anywhere from 3 to 7 days.
That range is rather wide. So wide, in fact, that it’s unpredictable and leaves you in a serious situation.
You might be on day 4 at the grocery store. Suddenly, things get quiet. The cashier is speaking to you but you don’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 hear the discussion and it’s leaving you feeling rather alone.
Perhaps you go to your grandchild’s school to see a play. And the kid’s singing disappears. Wait, it’s just day 2. Yes, sometimes they even drain before that 3-day mark.
It isn’t just inconvenient. You’re losing out on life because you’re not sure how much juice you have left in your hearing aids.
If your hearing aid batteries drain too quickly, look to these seven possible culprits.
Your Battery can be killed by moisture
Did you realize that humans are one of the few species that discharge moisture through their skin? You do it to cool down. You do it to remove excess 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 cause less efficient functionality. It can even interact with the chemicals that generate electricity causing it to drain even faster.
Here are a few steps you can take to avoid moisture-caused battery drain:
- Store your hearing aids in a spot where moisture is minimum
- Before you go to bed, open up the battery door
- If you’re storing your hearing aids for a prolonged period of time, take out the batteries
- Get a dehumidifier
State-of-the-art hearing aid features can run down batteries
Modern digital hearing aids help people hear so much better than ones that came out only a decade ago. But these extra functions can cause batteries to drain more quickly if you’re not watching.
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 need to change the battery sooner.
All these extra functions, like Bluetooth, tinnitus relief, or multichannel, can drain the battery more quickly.
Batteries can be affected by altitude changes
Your batteries can be drained quickly when you have a rapid 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.
Perhaps the batteries aren’t really drained
Many hearing aids will alert you when the batteries need to be changed. These warnings, as a general rule, aren’t telling you that your batteries are dead, they’re just a heads up. Additionally, you might get a warning when the charge drops due to an altitude or humidity change.
You can turn off the alarm by removing and resetting your hearing aid. You may be able to get several more hours or even days from that battery.
Improper handling of batteries
You should never remove the little tab from the battery if you’re not 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 increase 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
Buying in bulk is often a smart money decision when you can afford it. But as you get toward the end of the pack, the last few batteries most likely won’t last as long. Try to stick with a 6-month supply or less unless you’re fine with the waste.
Buying hearing aid batteries from the internet
This isn’t a general criticism of buying stuff on the internet. You can get some really good deals. But you will also find some less honest vendors who will sell batteries that are close to or even past their expiration date.
Both alkaline (AA, AAA, etc.) and zinc hearing aid batteries have an expiration date. When you purchase milk, you wouldn’t forget to look at the expiration date. You shouldn’t do that with batteries either. If you want to get the most out of your battery, be certain the date is well into the future.
If the website doesn’t declare an expiration date, message the seller, or purchase batteries at a pharmacy or hearing aid store where you can see it on the packaging. Make sure you look for reviews to be certain you’re buying from a reputable source.
The batteries in hearing aids no longer drain quickly
Hearing aid batteries might drain faster for numerous reasons. But you can get more energy from each battery by taking small precautions. You might also consider rechargeable hearing aids if you’re in the market for a new pair. You dock these hearing aids on a charger each night for a full day of hearing the next day. Every few years, you will need to replace the rechargeable batteries.
