Does it seem as if your hearing aid batteries drain way too fast? Here are some unexpected reasons that might happen.
How long should hearing aid batteries last? From 3 to 7 days is the typical time-frame for charge to last.
That range is fairly 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. Suddenly, things get quiet. The cashier is talking to you but you can’t hear what they are saying.
Or it’s day 5. You’re appreciating a night out with friends. Suddenly, you find yourself feeling really alone because you can no longer follow the conversation.
Now, you’re attending your grandson’s school play. You can no longer hear the children singing. But it’s only day 2. Yes, occasionally they even drain before that 3-day mark.
It’s more than inconvenient. You’re missing out on life because you don’t know how much juice you have left in your hearing aids.
Here are 7 likely causes if your hearing aid batteries drain quickly.
Your Battery can be drained by moisture
Producing moisture through our skin is one thing that humans do that most other species don’t. You do it to cool down. It also cleans the blood of excess toxins and sodium. In addition, you may live in a rainy humid environment where things get even wetter.
The air vent in your device can become clogged by this extra moisture which can cause less efficient functionality. 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:
- A dehumidifier is helpful
- Open the battery door before you store your hearing aids
- If you’re storing your hearing aids for a prolonged period of time, take out the batteries
- Don’t store your hearing aids in the kitchen or bathroom
Advanced 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 when these sophisticated features are being used, they can be a drain on battery power.
Don’t stop using your favorite features. But be aware that the battery will die faster if you spend hours streaming music from your cellphone to your hearing aids.
All these added features, like Bluetooth, tinnitus relief, or multichannel, can drain the battery more quickly.
Batteries can be affected by altitude changes
Going from a low to high altitude can sap your batteries, especially if they’re on their last leg. Make sure you bring some spares if you are in the mountains or on a plane.
Maybe the batteries aren’t actually 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 just a heads up. Additionally, you may get a warning when the charge drops due to an altitude or humidity change.
You can turn off the alarm by removing and resetting your hearing aid. There may be hours or even days of juice left.
Improper handling of batteries
You should never pull off the little tab from the battery before you’re ready to use it. Make sure you wash your hands before handling your hearing aids or batteries so you don’t get hand oil or dirt on them. Keep your batteries out of the freezer. This might increase the life of other batteries but that’s not the case with hearing aid batteries.
Hearing aids will drain faster if you mishandle them in these ways.
Purchasing a year’s supply of batteries isn’t a good idea
Buying in bulk is often a smart money decision when you can afford to do it. But you can expect that the last several batteries in the pack will drain faster. Try to stick with a 6-month supply or less unless you’re okay with the waste.
internet battery vendors
This isn’t a general critique of buying stuff online. You can find lots of bargains. But some less honest individuals will sell batteries online that are very near to the expiration date. Or worse, it has already gone by.
Most kinds of batteries, including hearing aid batteries, have expiration dates. You wouldn’t buy milk without checking the expiration. You shouldn’t forget to check the date on batteries either. If you want to get the most out of your battery, be certain 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 states when the batteries will expire. Only purchase batteries from reputable sources.
The batteries in hearing aids no longer drain quickly
There are numerous reasons that hearing aid batteries may drain quickly. But you can get more power from each battery by taking little precautions. And if you’re considering an upgrade, consider rechargeable hearing aids. You put these hearing aids on a charger each night for an entire day of hearing the next day. The rechargeable batteries only need to be swapped out every few years.