Does it seem like your hearing aid batteries drain way too quickly? The reasons for this can be sometimes surprising.How long should hearing aid batteries keep a charge? Between 3 to 7 days is standard. That range is fairly wide. Actually, it’s so wide that it probably won’t help you predict what should be happening with your hearing aid. You may be on day 4 at the grocery store when out of the blue, things go quiet and you’re unable to hear the cashier. Or it’s day 5 and you’re enjoying a call with friends when suddenly you find yourself feeling really alone because you can no longer hear the conversation. Sometimes 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 more than a little inconvenient. You simply can’t tell how much battery power your hearing aids have left and it’s causing you to miss out on life. Here are the likely culprits if your hearing aid batteries die too soon.
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 off. We do it to clear out excess toxins or sodium in the blood. In addition, you may live in a rainy or humid climate where things are even wetter. This extra moisture can clog the air vent in your device, making it less reliable. Moisture can also mix with the chemicals of the battery causing it to drain faster. Here are some measures you can take to avoid moisture-caused battery drain:
- A dehumidifier for your hearing aid is recommended
- Moist environments, like the kitchen or bathroom are not a good place to keep your hearing aids
- if your storing them for a few days or more, take the batteries out
- When you store your hearing aids, open the battery door
Advanced Hearing Aid Features Can Drain Batteries
Advanced digital hearing aids help people hear so much better than ones that you could get just a decade ago. But these extra features can cause batteries to drain faster if you’re not keeping an eye on them. You can still use your favorite features. But remember, you will have to change the battery sooner if you are streaming music from your phone for hours. Noise-canceling, Bluetooth, multichannel, tinnitus relief — all of these added functions can drain your battery.
Batteries Can be Impacted by Altitude Changes
Going 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 spare batteries.
Are The Batteries Really Low?
Some hearing aids let you know when the battery is running low. Generally, these alerts are giving you a “heads up”. They’re not telling you the battery is dead. On top of this, sometimes an environmental change in humidity or altitude temporarily causes the charge to dip and the low battery alarm gets activated. In order to stop the alarm, take the batteries out, and then put them back in. You may be able to get several more hours or possibly even days of battery life.
Improper Handling of Batteries
You should never take out the little tab from the battery before you’re ready to use it. Refrain from getting skin oil and dirt on your hearing aid by washing your hands before touching them. Hearing aid batteries should not be frozen. It doesn’t extend their life as it might with other types of batteries. Hearing aid batteries may lose battery power faster if you make these simple handling errors.
Buying a Year’s Supply of Batteries Isn’t a Good Idea
Buying in bulk is often a smart money decision if you can afford to do it. But as you get toward the end of the pack, the last few batteries most likely won’t be at full power. Unless you’re fine with wasting a few, try to stay with a six month supply.
Shopping For Hearing Aid Batteries on The Web
This isn’t an over-all criticism of purchasing stuff online. You can get some good deals. But some batteries that can be found on the internet are being sold by less honest people and are near their expiration date. Or even worse, it has already passed. So buyer beware.
There’s an expiration date on both alkaline and zinc batteries. You shouldn’t buy milk without checking the expiration date. You should use the same amount of caution with batteries. If you want to get the most from your pack, be 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 even better, come see us for your battery needs. Be sure you know and trust the seller.
Now You Can Get Rechargeable Hearing Aids
Hearing aids might drain too quickly for numerous reasons. But you can get more life out of your batteries by taking some precautions. If you’re in the market for a new pair of hearing aids, you might decide on a rechargeable model. You put them on a charger each night for a full day of hearing the next day. And you only need to change them every few years.
