Does it seem as if your hearing aid batteries drain way too fast? Here are some surprising reasons that could occur.How long should hearing aid batteries last? Between 3 to 7 days is normal. That range is pretty wide. Actually, it’s so wide that it probably doesn’t help you predict what should be going on with your hearing aid. Things might 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 enjoying a call with friends when unexpectedly you find yourself feeling very alone because you can no longer follow the conversation. Now, you’re watching TV. You can no longer hear the news. Wait, it’s only day 2. Yes, occasionally they even drain before that 3-day mark. It’s not just inconvenient. 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 most likely culprits if your hearing aid batteries die too soon.
Moisture Can Drain a Battery
Did you realize that humans are one of the few species that release moisture through their skin? We do it to cool down. It’s the body’s way of purging the blood of toxins and sodium. In addition, you may live in a humid or rainy climate where things get even more moist. This excess moisture can clog the air vent in your device, making it less reliable. It can even deplete the battery directly by interacting with the chemicals which produce electricity. You can avoid moisture-related battery drainage with these steps:
- A dehumidifier for your hearing aid is helpful
- Don’t keep your hearing aids in the bathroom, kitchen or other moist environments
- if your storing them for a number of days or more, remove the batteries
- Before you store your hearing aids, open the battery door
Batteries Can be Depleted by Advanced Hearing Aid Functions
You get a much better hearing aid nowadays than you did even ten years ago. But these extra features can cause batteries to drain faster if you’re not paying attention. You can still use your favorite features. But be aware 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 extra functions can deplete your battery.
Batteries Can be Affected by Altitude Changes
Moving from a low to high altitude can deplete your batteries, especially if they’re on their last leg. When flying, skiing or climbing always takes some extra batteries.
Are The Batteries Really Low?
Some models will give you an alert when the battery starts to get too low. As a general rule, these alerts are giving you a “heads up”. They’re not telling you the battery is depleted. Also, the charge can occasionally drop briefly due to environmental or altitude changes and that can activate a false low battery warning. Remove the hearing aids and reset them to stop the alarm. The battery might last a few more hours or even days.
Handling Batteries Improperly
Wait until you’re ready to use your hearing aid to pull the tab from the battery. Always wash your hands before touching your hearing aids or batteries to protect against getting dirt or hand oil on them. Don’t ever freeze hearing aid batteries. This technique might increase the life of some types 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.
Getting a Year’s Supply of Batteries Isn’t a Good Plan
When you can afford to do it, buying in bulk can be a smart idea. But as you come to the end of the pack, the last several batteries probably won’t be at full power. Try to stick with a 6-month supply or less unless you’re fine with the waste.
Buying Hearing Aid Batteries Online
It’s not an over-all critique of buying stuff on the internet. There are some pretty good deals out in cyberspace. But some less scrupulous people will sell batteries online that are very close to the expiration date. Or even worse, it has already passed. So you need to be cautious.
Both alkaline (AA, AAA, etc.) and zinc hearing aid batteries have a date they will expire. If you were going to buy milk, you would look at the expiration date. You should do that with batteries also. If you want to get the most out of your pack, be certain the date is well in the future. It’s probably a good idea to message the vendor if there isn’t an expiration date or better yet, come see us for your battery needs. Only purchase batteries from reputable sources.
Today You Can Get Rechargeable Hearing Aids
There are several reasons that hearing batteries could drain rapidly. But by taking little precautions you can get more energy out of each battery. If you’re in the market for a new set of hearing aids, you might decide on a rechargeable model. If you charge them at night, you get a full day of hearing the next day. And you only have to change them every few years.