Does it seem as if your hearing aid batteries die way too quickly? Here are a few unexpected reasons that may happen.
How long should hearing aid batteries last? The typical hearing aid battery lasts anywhere between 3 and 7 days.
That range is pretty wide. So wide, in fact, that it’s unpredictable and leaves you in a serious predicament.
You could be at the store on day 4. All of a sudden, you can’t hear anything. You don’t hear the cashier.
Or, you’re out for lunch with friends on day 5. Suddenly, you find yourself feeling really alone because you can no longer follow the conversation.
Now, you’re attending your grandchild’s school play. And the children’s singing goes quiet. But it’s only day 2. Yes, they even sometimes die after a couple of days.
It’s not only inconvenient. You’re losing out on life because you’re not sure how much juice you have left in your hearing aids.
Here are 7 possible culprits if your hearing aid batteries die quickly.
Moisture can kill a battery
Did you know that human beings are one of the few species that release moisture through their skin? You do it to cool down. You do it to eliminate excess sodium or toxins in the blood. Your battery may be exposed to even more moisture if you live in a humid or rainy place.
This extra moisture can clog the air vent in your device, making hearing aids less efficient. It can even kill the battery directly by interacting with the chemicals that make electricity.
Prevent battery drain caused by moisture with these steps:
- Get a dehumidifier
- Before going to bed, open the battery door
- Don’t leave the batteries in if you’re storing them for a few days
- Don’t keep your hearing aids in the kitchen or bathroom
State-of-the-art hearing aid features can drain batteries
Even a decade ago, hearing aids were much less helpful for individuals with hearing loss than modern devices. But these added functions can cause batteries to drain more quickly if you’re not paying attention.
That doesn’t mean you should stop using these amazing features. But be aware that the battery will die 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.
Altitude changes can affect batteries as well
Your batteries can be drained quickly when you have a rapid 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 a plane.
Maybe the batteries aren’t actually drained
Some hearing aids tell you when the battery is getting low. These warnings, generally speaking, aren’t telling you that your batteries are dead, they’re just a heads up. Moreover, sometimes an environmental change in humidity or altitude briefly causes the charge to drop and the low battery alarm will sound.
Take the hearing aids out and reset them to quiet the alarm. There may be hours or even days of juice left.
Handling the batteries incorrectly
Wait until you’re ready to use the battery before you remove the protective tab. Make sure you wash your hands before handling your hearing aids or batteries to avoid getting hand oil or dirt on them. Keep your batteries out of the freezer. This may extend the life of other batteries but it doesn’t work with hearing aid 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 decision when you can afford to do 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.
internet battery vendors
This isn’t a broad critique of buying things on the internet. You can find a lot of bargains. But some less scrupulous people will sell batteries on the internet that are very close to the expiration date. Or even worse, it has already gone by.
Both alkaline (AA, AAA, etc.) and zinc hearing aid batteries have an expiration date. When you buy milk, you wouldn’t forget to look at the expiration date. You shouldn’t do that with batteries either. In order to get the most from your battery, make sure the date is well into the future.
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 on the internet be sure the vendor specifies when the batteries will expire. Only buy batteries from trustworthy sources.
Hearing aid batteries drain quickly no longer
There are several reasons that hearing aid batteries might drain quickly. But you can get more power from each battery by taking little precautions. You may also think about rechargeable hearing aids if you’re shopping 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.