Does it seem like your hearing aid batteries lose their charge too quickly? Here are some unexpected reasons that might happen.How long should hearing aid batteries last? The normal hearing aid battery lasts anywhere from 3 to 7 days. That range is fairly wide. In fact, it’s so wide that it probably can’t help you predict what should be taking place with your hearing aid. Things could suddenly get quiet when you’re trying to hear the cashier at the supermarket after 4 days of battery power. Or it’s day 5 and you’re enjoying a call with friends when suddenly you find yourself feeling really alone because you can no longer hear the conversation. Sometimes the batteries don’t even make that 3 day mark. Like when you’re watching TV on day 2 and suddenly you can’t hear the show your that’s on. It isn’t just inconvenient. You’re missing out on life because you’re not sure how much juice you have left in your hearing aids. If your hearing aid batteries are dying too rapidly, there are several likely culprits.
Moisture Can Drain a Battery
There aren’t very many species that produce moisture through their skin but humans do. It’s a cooling mechanism. We do it to clear out excess toxins or sodium in the blood. You may also live in a climate that’s moist and humid. This additional moisture can clog the air vent in your device, making it less reliable. It can even drain the battery directly by interacting with the chemicals which generate electricity. Here are a few steps you can take to avoid moisture-caused battery drain:
- Moist environments, like the kitchen or bathroom aren’t a good place to keep your hearing aids
- Don’t leave the batteries in if you’re storing them for a number of days
- Open the battery door before storing the hearing aids
- Obtain a dehumidifier for your hearing aids
Batteries Can be Drained by Advanced Hearing Aid Features
You get a much better hearing aid today than you did even ten years ago. But if you’re not paying attention, these advanced features can cause faster battery drain. You can still use your favorite features. But be aware that if you stream music for hours from your smartphone to your hearing aids, you’ll have 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 Too
Moving from a low to high altitude can deplete your batteries, particularly if they’re on their last leg. Bring some extra batteries if you are going on a plane or high up into the mountains.
Perhaps The Batteries Aren’t Really Low
Some hearing aids let you know when the battery is running low. These alerts are, under normal circumstances, a “heads up”. It doesn’t mean you have a depleted battery. Furthermore, the charge can at times dip temporarily due to environmental or altitude changes and that can trigger a false low battery warning. In order to end the alarm, remove the batteries, and then put them back in. You might be able to get a few more hours or possibly even days of battery life.
Improper Handling of Batteries
Wait until you’re about to use your hearing aid to pull the tab from the battery. Avoid getting skin oil and dirt on your hearing aid by washing your hands before touching them. Don’t ever freeze hearing aid batteries. This strategy may increase the life of some kinds of battery but it doesn’t work with hearing aid batteries. Hearing aid batteries might lose battery power faster if you make these simple handling errors.
It’s Not a Good Plan to Purchase a Year’s Supply of Batteries
If you can afford to do it, purchasing in bulk can be a smart idea. But the last few batteries in the pack probably won’t have full power. Unless you’re fine with wasting a few, try to stay with a six month supply.
Buying Hearing Aid Batteries on The Web
Shopping from the web can be a good thing. There are some pretty good deals out in cyberspace. But some less scrupulous people sell batteries on the internet that are very close to the expiration date. Or worse, they are already passed. So buyer beware.
There’s an expiration date on both zinc and alkaline batteries. You wouldn’t buy milk without looking at the expiration. You should use the same amount of care with batteries. If you’re going to get the most from your pack, be certain the date is well in the future. If the website doesn’t specify an expiration date, message the vendor, or buy batteries directly from us. Only buy batteries from reliable sources.
Today You Can Get Rechargeable Hearing Aids
Hearing aids might drain too rapidly for a number of reasons. But you can get more life from your batteries by taking some precautions. You may also think about rechargeable hearing aids if you’re going to buy a new set. You dock them on a charger each night for a full charge the next day. And you only need to replace them every few years.
