Does it seem like your hearing aid batteries drain way too fast? There are numerous reasons why this might be occurring that may be unexpected.
How long should hearing aid batteries last? From 3 to 7 days is the standard time-frame for charge to last.
That range is fairly wide. So wide, in fact, that it’s unpredictable and leaves you in a serious situation.
You may be at the store on day 4. All of a sudden, you can’t hear anything. The cashier is speaking to you but you can’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 follow the discussion and it’s leaving you feeling rather alone.
Perhaps you go to your grandchild’s school to see a play. You can no longer hear the kids singing. But it’s only day 2. Yes, they even occasionally die after a couple of days.
It isn’t just inconvenient. You have no clue how much juice is left and it’s causing you to miss out on life.
If your hearing aid batteries die too quickly, look to these seven possible causes.
Moisture can drain a battery
Did you know that human beings are one of the few species that discharge moisture through their skin? It’s a cooling system. It also helps clear the blood of excess toxins and sodium. On top of this, you may live in a rainy humid climate where things get even wetter.
The air vent in your device can get plugged by this extra moisture which can result in less efficient performance. It can even interact with the chemicals that generate electricity causing it to drain even faster.
Prevent battery drain related to moisture using these steps:
- Keep your hearing aids in a place where moisture is minimum
- Before going to bed, open the battery door
- A dehumidifier is helpful
- If you’re storing your hearing aids for a prolonged time period, remove the batteries
Advanced modern features are power intensive
Even 10 years ago, hearing aids were a lot less helpful for individuals with hearing loss than modern devices. But when these advanced functions are in use, they can be a drain on battery power.
Don’t stop using your favorite features. But be aware that the battery will drain faster if you spend hours streaming music from your phone to your hearing aids.
All these extra features, like Bluetooth, tinnitus relief, or multichannel, can drain the battery more quickly.
Batteries can be affected by altitude changes
Your batteries can be quickly depleted when you have a quick climb in altitude, and if they’re already low this is particularly true. Be certain that you bring some spares if you’re in the mountains or on an aircraft.
Maybe the batteries aren’t actually drained
Many hearing aids will warn you when the batteries need to be replaced. These warnings, as a general rule, aren’t telling you that your batteries are dead, they’re just a heads up. In addition, you might get a warning when the charge takes a dip due to an altitude or humidity change.
You can stop the alarm by removing and resetting your hearing aid. You might be able to get several more hours or even days out of that battery.
Handling the batteries improperly
You should never pull off 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 you handle them. Keep your batteries away from the freezer. This might extend the life of other batteries but that’s not the case with hearing aid batteries.
Basic handling errors like these can make hearing aid batteries drain quickly.
Overstocking on batteries isn’t a good plan
It’s usually a practical financial decision to purchase in bulk. But you can expect that the last few batteries in the pack won’t last as long. It can be a waste to buy any more than a 6 month supply.
internet battery vendors
This isn’t a broad criticism of buying stuff online. You can get some great deals. But you will also come across some less honest sellers who will sell batteries that are near to or even past their expiration date.
Most types of batteries, including hearing aid batteries, have expiration dates. When you buy milk, you wouldn’t forget to check the expiration date. The same goes with batteries. Make sure that the date is far enough in the future to get the most use out of the pack.
If you purchase your batteries at a hearing aid store or pharmacy, the expiration date will be on the labeling, but if you are going to shop online make sure the vendor states when the batteries will expire. Only buy batteries from reputable sources.
Hearing aid batteries drain quickly no longer
There are several reasons that hearing aid batteries could drain quickly. But you can get more energy from each battery by taking small precautions. And if you’re considering an upgrade, consider rechargeable hearing aids. You dock these hearing aids on a charger every night for a full day of hearing the next day. The rechargeable batteries only have to be replaced every few years.