Does it seem like your hearing aid batteries drain way too quickly? Here are some surprising reasons that could occur. What is the average length of time that your hearing aid batteries should keep a charge? Anywhere from 3 to 7 days is normal. That range is pretty wide. As a matter of fact, it’s so wide that it probably doesn’t help you predict what should be taking place with your hearing aid. Things could suddenly get quiet when you’re trying to hear the cashier at the supermarket 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 very alone because you can no longer hear the conversation. Occasionally the batteries don’t even make that 3 day mark. Like when you’re watching TV on day 2 and all of a sudden you can’t hear the show your watching. It isn’t just annoying. You just can’t tell how much battery power you have left in your hearing aids and it’s making you miss out on life. If your hearing aid batteries are dying too quickly, there are a small number of likely causes.
Moisture Can Drain a Battery
Did you know that humans are one of the few species that produce moisture through their skin? We do it to cool down. It’s the body’s way of purging the blood of toxins and sodium. On top of this, you may live in a humid or rainy climate where things get even more moist. This additional moisture can clog the air vent in your device, making it less reliable. Moisture can also interact with the chemicals of the battery causing it to drain faster. You can prevent moisture-related battery drainage with these measures:
- Don’t keep your hearing aids in the bathroom, kitchen or other moist environments
- When you store your hearing aids, open the battery door
- A dehumidifier for your hearing aid is recommended
- if your storing them for a number of days or more, take the batteries out
Batteries Can be Drained by Advanced Hearing Aid Functions
You get a much better hearing aid nowadays than you did even a decade ago. But these extra features can cause batteries to run down faster if you’re not paying attention. Don’t avoid using your favorite features. But just know that if you stream music all day from your mobile device to your hearing aids, you’ll have to replace the battery sooner. Bluetooth, multichannel, tinnitus relief, noise canceling — all of these added features can deplete your battery.
Altitude Changes Can Impact Batteries Too
Going from a low to high altitude can drain your batteries, specifically if they’re on their older. Take some spare batteries if you are going on a plane or high up into the mountains.
Are The Batteries Really Low?
Some hearing aids tell you when the battery is low. These alerts are, ordinarily, a “heads up”. It doesn’t mean you have a dead battery. Furthermore, the charge can at times drop briefly due to altitude or environmental changes and that can trigger a false low battery warning. Take the hearing aids out and reset them to end the alarm. The battery may last several more hours or even days.
Handling Batteries Improperly
You should not take out the little tab from the battery before you’re ready to use it. Refrain from getting dirt and skin oil on your hearing aid by cleansing your hands before handling them. Don’t ever 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 faster.
It isn’t a Good Plan to Purchase a Year’s Supply of Batteries
If you can afford to do it, purchasing in bulk can be a smart idea. But the last few batteries in the pack probably won’t have full power. Try to stay with a 6-month supply or less unless you’re fine with wasting a few.
Purchasing Hearing Aid Batteries on The Internet
It’s not a broad criticism of buying stuff on the web. You can get some great deals. But some batteries that can be found on the internet are being sold by less honest individuals and are near their expiration date. They might even be past their expiration date. So you need to be cautious.
There’s an expiration date on both zinc and alkaline batteries. You shouldn’t buy milk without looking at the expiration. You have to use the same amount of care with batteries. Make 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. Be sure you know and trust the seller.
Today You Can Get Rechargeable Hearing Aids
Hearing aids may drain too quickly for several reasons. But by taking some precautions you can get more life from each battery. If you’re looking to buy a new pair of hearing aids, you might decide on a rechargeable model. You dock them on a charger each night for a full charge the next day. The rechargeable batteries only have to be replaced every few years.