Does it seem as if your hearing aid batteries drain way too quickly? Here are some surprising reasons that may happen.
So how far should the charge on my hearing aid battery last? The typical hearing aid battery lasts anywhere between 3 and 7 days.
That range is rather wide. So wide, in fact, that it’s unpredictable and leaves you in a serious situation.
You might be on day 4 at the supermarket store. All of a sudden, you can’t hear anything. You don’t hear the cashier.
Or, you’re out for dinner with friends on day 5. All of a sudden, you can’t hear the discussion and it’s leaving you feeling rather alone.
Now, you’re attending your grandson’s school play. You can no longer hear the kids singing. But it’s only day 2. Yes, occasionally they even die before the 3rd day.
It’s more than annoying. You have no idea how much juice 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
Did you know that humans are one of the few species that discharge moisture through their skin? You do it to cool down. You do it to get rid of excess sodium or toxins in the blood. On top of this, you might live in a rainy humid climate where things get even wetter.
The air vent in your device can become plugged by this extra moisture which can result in less efficient performance. It can even interact with the chemicals that make electricity causing it to drain even faster.
Here are a few steps you can take to avoid moisture-caused battery drain:
- Don’t keep your hearing aids in the kitchen or bathroom
- A dehumidifier is helpful
- Before you go to bed, open up the battery door
- If you’re storing your hearing aids for a prolonged period of time, remove the batteries
Sophisticated modern features are power intensive
Modern digital hearing aids help people hear so much better than ones that came out just a decade ago. But these extra features can cause batteries to drain more quickly 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.
All these extra functions, like Bluetooth, tinnitus relief, or multichannel, can drain the battery faster.
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 especially true. When flying, skiing, or climbing remember to bring some spares.
Is the battery actually drained?
Many hearing aids will warn you when the batteries need to be changed. These warnings, as a general rule, aren’t telling you that your batteries are dead, they’re just a heads up. In addition, you may get a warning when the charge drops because of an altitude or humidity change.
Take out the hearing aids and reset them to stop the alarm. There could be hours or even days of juice left.
Improper handling of batteries
Wait until it’s time to use the battery before you remove the protective tab. Hand oil or dirt can be an issue for batteries so wash up before handling them. Keep your batteries away from the freezer. It doesn’t extend their life as it might with other kinds of batteries.
Simple handling mistakes like these can make hearing aid batteries drain faster.
Buying a year’s supply of batteries isn’t a good idea
Purchasing in bulk is usually 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 most likely won’t last as long. It can be a waste to purchase any more than 6 months worth.
internet battery vendors
This isn’t a broad critique of buying things on the internet. You can get some great deals. But you will also find some less honest sellers who will sell batteries that are near to or even past their expiration date.
Most kinds of batteries, including hearing aid batteries, have expiration dates. You wouldn’t buy milk without checking when it expires. The same goes with batteries. In order to get the most out of your battery, make sure the date is well into the future.
If the website doesn’t declare an expiration date, send the online vendor a message, or buy batteries at a pharmacy or hearing aid center where you can see it on the packaging. Make sure you look for reviews to be certain you’re buying from a reliable 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 little precautions. You might also consider rechargeable hearing aids if you’re in the market for a new set. You will get an entire day of power after every night of recharging. Every few years, you will have to replace the rechargeable batteries.