Do your hearing aid batteries seem to drain quicker than they ought to? Here are a few unexpected reasons that may happen.
How long should hearing aid batteries last? From 3 to 7 days is the standard time-frame for charge to last.
That’s a very wide range. So wide, in fact, that it’s unpredictable and leaves you in a serious predicament.
You might be on day 4 at the supermarket store. Suddenly, your sound cuts out. The cashier is talking to you but you can’t hear what they are saying.
Or, you’re out for dinner with friends on day 5. Suddenly, you find yourself feeling really alone because you can no longer hear the conversation.
Maybe you go to your grandchild’s school to watch a play. And the kid’s singing disappears. Wait, it’s only day 2. Yes, sometimes they even drain before that 3-day mark.
It’s not simply inconvenient. You have no idea how much power is left and it’s causing you to miss out on life.
If your hearing aid batteries drain too quickly, look to these seven possible culprits.
Moisture can kill a battery
Producing moisture through our skin is one thing that human beings do that the majority of other species don’t. It’s a cooling system. It also cleans the blood of excess toxins and sodium. 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 become plugged by this extra moisture which can result in less efficient functionality. It can even kill the battery directly by interacting with the chemicals that make electricity.
Here are several steps you can take to prevent moisture-caused battery drain:
- Don’t keep your hearing aids in the kitchen or bathroom
- If you’re storing your hearing aids for a prolonged period of time, remove the batteries
- Use a dehumidifier
- Open the battery door before storing the hearing aids
Advanced hearing aid functions can run down batteries
Modern digital hearing aids help individuals hear so much better than ones that came out only a decade ago. But these added features can cause batteries to drain faster if you’re not paying attention.
Don’t stop using your favorite features. But be aware that the battery will drain faster if you spend all day streaming music from your phone to your hearing aids.
All these added functions, like Bluetooth, tinnitus relief, or multichannel, can drain the battery more quickly.
Batteries can be impacted by altitude changes
Going from a low to high altitude can drain your batteries, particularly if they’re low already. Make sure you bring some spares if you’re in the mountains or on an aircraft.
Is the battery really drained?
Some hearing aids tell you when the battery is low. These warnings, generally speaking, aren’t telling you that your batteries are dead, they’re simply a heads up. Additionally, you might get a warning when the charge drops because of an altitude or humidity change.
Take the hearing aids out and reset them to stop the alarm. There could be hours or even days of juice left.
Handling the batteries incorrectly
You should never pull off the little tab from the battery if you’re not ready to use it. Always wash your hands before handling your hearing aids or batteries so you don’t get hand oil or dirt on them. Keep your batteries away from the freezer. It doesn’t increase their life as it might with other kinds of batteries.
Hearing aids will drain faster if you mishandle them in these ways.
Overstocking on batteries isn’t a good plan
Purchasing in bulk is often a smart money choice when you can afford to do it. But as you get toward the end of the pack, the last several batteries likely won’t last as long. Try to stick with a 6-month supply or less unless you’re okay with the waste.
Buying hearing aid batteries online
This isn’t a general critique of buying stuff online. You can get some really good deals. But some less honest people will sell batteries online that are very close to the expiration date. Or even worse, it has already passed.
Most types of batteries, including hearing aid batteries, have expiration dates. When you buy milk, you wouldn’t forget to check the date it expires. You shouldn’t forget to check the date on batteries either. Be certain that the date is well in the future to get the most usage out of the pack.
If you purchase your batteries at a hearing aid store or pharmacy, the expiration date will be on the packaging, but if you’re going to shop online make sure the vendor specifies when the batteries will expire. Make sure you check 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 more quickly for numerous reasons. But you can get more power from each battery by taking small precautions. You may also consider rechargeable hearing aids if you’re in the market for a new set. You dock these hearing aids on a charger every night for a full day of hearing tomorrow. The rechargeable batteries only need to be replaced every few years.