Do your hearing aid batteries seem to die faster than they should? There are numerous reasons why this might be happening that might be unexpected.
So how far should the charge on my hearing aid battery go? From 3 to 7 days is the standard amount of time for charge to last.
That’s a really wide range. But it’s so wide that it’s unpredictable and might leave you in a bind.
You could be on day 4 at the grocery store. Out of the blue, you can’t hear anything. The cashier is talking to you but you don’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 conversation and it’s leaving you feeling quite alone.
Now, you’re at your grandson’s school play. You can no longer hear the children singing. Wait, it’s just day 2. Yes, they even occasionally drain after a couple of days.
It isn’t just 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 die too quickly, look to these seven possible culprits.
Moisture can kill a battery
Did you know that human beings are one of the few species that produce moisture through their skin? It’s a cooling system. It also cleans the blood of unwanted toxins and sodium. Your battery could be exposed to even more moisture if you live in a humid or rainy place.
This excess moisture can clog up the air vent in your device, affecting the hearing aid’s efficiency. It can even kill the battery directly by interacting with the chemicals that generate electricity.
Here are several steps you can take to avoid moisture-caused battery drain:
- Open up the battery door before you store your hearing aids
- Don’t keep your hearing aids in the kitchen or bathroom
- Get a dehumidifier
- Don’t leave the batteries in if you’re storing them for several days
Sophisticated modern features are power intensive
Modern digital hearing aids help people hear so much better than ones that came out only 10 years ago. But these extra features can cause batteries to drain faster if you’re not paying attention.
Don’t quit using your favorite features. But just know that if you stream music all day from your smartphone to your hearing aids, you’ll need to change the battery sooner.
Noise-canceling, Bluetooth, multichannel, tinnitus relief — all of these extra functions can drain your battery.
Altitude changes can affect batteries as well
Your batteries can be quickly depleted when you have a rapid climb in altitude, and if they’re already low this is especially true. Be certain that you bring some spares if you’re in the mountains or on a plane.
Perhaps the batteries aren’t really drained
Many hearing aids will warn you when the batteries need to be changed. As a general rule, these warnings are giving you a “heads up”. They aren’t telling you the battery is dead. Additionally, you may get a warning when the charge takes a dip because of an altitude or humidity change.
You can stop the alarm by removing and resetting your hearing aid. There may be hours or even days of power left.
Handling the batteries improperly
Wait until you’re ready to use the battery before you pull off the protective tab. Hand oil or dirt can be a problem for batteries so wash up before you handle them. Keep your batteries out of the freezer. This might extend the life of other batteries but it doesn’t work with hearing aid batteries.
Basic handling errors like these can make hearing aid batteries drain faster.
Purchasing a year’s supply of batteries isn’t a great idea
Purchasing in bulk is usually a smart money choice when you can afford it. But as you get toward the end of the pack, the last few batteries most likely won’t last as long. Try to stick with a 6-month supply or less unless you’re fine with the waste.
Buying hearing aid batteries from the internet
This isn’t a general critique of buying things on the internet. You can get some really good deals. But you will also come across some less honest vendors who will sell batteries that are close to or even past their expiration date.
Most kinds of batteries, including hearing aid batteries, have expiration dates. When you purchase milk, you wouldn’t forget to look at the expiration date. You shouldn’t do that with batteries either. If you want to get the most from your battery, be certain the date is well into the future.
If you buy your batteries at a hearing aid center or pharmacy, the expiration date will be on the packaging, but if you’re going to shop online make sure the vendor states when the batteries will expire. Only buy batteries from reliable sources.
Hearing aid batteries drain quickly no longer
Hearing aid batteries might drain more quickly for several reasons. But you can get more power from each battery by taking little precautions. You might also think about rechargeable hearing aids if you’re in the market for a new pair. You will get a full day of power after each night of recharging. Every few years, you will have to replace the rechargeable batteries.