Do your hearing aid batteries seem to drain faster than they should? Here are a few unexpected reasons that may happen.
How long should hearing aid batteries last? From 3 to 7 days is the standard period of time for charge to last.
That range is rather wide. But it’s so wide that it’s unpredictable and may leave you in a bind.
You could be at the store on day 4. Unexpectedly, things get quiet. You don’t hear the cashier.
Or it’s day 5. You’re appreciating 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 attending your grandchild’s school play. And the kid’s singing goes quiet. Wait, it’s just day 2. Yes, they even sometimes drain after a couple of days.
It’s more than inconvenient. You’re losing out on life because you’re not sure how much power is left in your hearing aids.
If your hearing aid batteries die too quickly, check out these seven possible causes.
Moisture can drain a battery
Releasing moisture through our skin is one thing that human beings do that the majority of other species don’t. It’s a cooling mechanism. It also helps clear the blood of unwanted toxins and sodium. In addition, you may live in a humid or rainy climate where things get even wetter.
The air vent in your device can become clogged by this extra moisture which can result in less efficient functionality. It can even interact with the chemicals that generate electricity causing it to drain even faster.
Here are a few steps you can take to prevent moisture-caused battery drain:
- A dehumidifier can be helpful
- Before you go to bed, open up the battery door
- Don’t store your hearing aids in the kitchen or bathroom
- Take the batteries out if you’re storing them for several days
Advanced modern features are power intensive
Even 10 years ago, hearing aids were much less helpful for people with hearing loss than current devices. But when these advanced functions are in use, they can be a drain on battery power.
That doesn’t mean you should stop using these amazing features. But just know that if you stream music for hours from your smartphone to your hearing aids, you’ll need to replace the battery sooner.
All these added features, 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. Be certain that you bring some spares if you’re in the mountains or on a plane.
Is the battery really 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 simply a heads up. Moreover, sometimes an environmental change in humidity or altitude temporarily causes the charge to dip and the low battery alarm gets triggered.
You can turn off the alarm by removing and resetting your hearing aid. There may be hours or even days of power left.
Incorrect handling of batteries
Wait until it’s time 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 handling them. Keep your batteries away from the freezer. It doesn’t increase their life as it might with other kinds of batteries.
Basic handling mistakes like these can make hearing aid batteries drain quickly.
Overstocking on batteries isn’t a good plan
It’s often a practical financial decision to purchase in bulk. But you can anticipate that the last several batteries in the pack will drain faster. Try to stick with a 6-month supply or less unless you’re fine with the waste.
Buying hearing aid batteries online
We’re not suggesting it’s automatically a bad idea to buy things online. You can get some really good deals. But you will also come across some less honest sellers who will sell batteries that are close to or even past their expiration date.
Most types of batteries, including hearing aid batteries, have expiration dates. When you purchase milk, you wouldn’t forget to look at the date it expires. You shouldn’t do that with batteries either. In order to get the most out of your battery, be certain the date is well into the future.
If the website doesn’t state an expiration date, message the seller, 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 purchasing from a reputable source.
The batteries in hearing aids no longer drain quickly
There are numerous reasons that hearing aid batteries could drain quickly. But you can get more power from each battery by taking small precautions. You may also think about rechargeable hearing aids if you’re in the market for a new set. You put these hearing aids on a charger every night for a full day of hearing tomorrow. The rechargeable batteries only have to be swapped out every few years.
