Do your hearing aid batteries seem to die quicker than they ought to? Here are a few unexpected reasons that might happen.
So how long should the charge on my hearing aid battery go? The ordinary hearing aid battery lasts anywhere between 3 and 7 days.
That range is rather wide. But it’s so wide that it’s unpredictable and may leave you in a bind.
You might be on day 4 at the grocery store. Out of the blue, you can’t hear anything. The cashier is speaking to you but you don’t hear what they are saying.
Or it’s day 5. You’re appreciating a night out with friends. All of a sudden, you can’t hear the conversation 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. Wait, it’s only day 2. Yes, occasionally they even die before the 3rd day.
It’s more than inconvenient. You have no clue how much power is left and it’s causing you to miss out on life.
Here are 7 likely 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 produce moisture through their skin? It’s a cooling mechanism. You do it to eliminate extra sodium or toxins in the blood. In addition, you might live in a rainy humid climate where things get even wetter.
This extra moisture can clog up the air vent in your device, affecting the hearing aid’s efficiency. 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:
- Use a dehumidifier
- Don’t leave the batteries in if you’re storing them for a few days
- Open the battery door before storing the hearing aids
- Store your hearing aids in a spot where moisture is at a minimum
Advanced hearing aid features can drain batteries
Modern digital hearing aids help people hear so much better than ones that came out only 10 years ago. But when these advanced features are being used, they can be a draw on battery power.
Don’t stop using your favorite features. But be aware that the battery will drain faster if you spend all day streaming music from your phone to your hearing aids.
Noise-canceling, Bluetooth, multichannel, tinnitus relief — all of these added features can drain your battery.
Batteries can be impacted by altitude changes
Going from a low to high altitude can sap your batteries, especially if they’re low already. When flying, climbing, or skiing always takes some spares.
Is the battery actually drained?
Many hearing aids will warn you when the batteries need to be replaced. These warnings, as a general rule, 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.
You can turn off the alarm by removing and resetting your hearing aid. You may be able to get several more hours or even days out of that battery.
Improper handling of batteries
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. It doesn’t increase their life as it might with other kinds of batteries.
Hearing aids will drain more quickly if you mishandle them in these ways.
Buying a year’s supply of batteries isn’t a good idea
Buying in bulk is usually 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. It can be a waste to buy any more than a 6 month supply.
Buying hearing aid batteries from the internet
This isn’t a general criticism of buying stuff on the internet. You can get some great deals. 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 types of batteries, including hearing aid batteries, have expiration dates. When you buy milk, you wouldn’t forget to check the date it expires. The same goes with batteries. Make sure that the date is far enough in the future to get the most use out of the pack.
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 online be sure the seller specifies when the batteries will expire. Make sure you check reviews to be certain you’re buying from a trustworthy source.
Hearing aid batteries drain quickly no longer
Hearing aid batteries might drain more quickly for several reasons. But by taking little precautions you can get more power from each battery. You might also think about rechargeable hearing aids if you’re shopping for a new set. You put these hearing aids on a charger each night for an entire day of hearing tomorrow. Every few years, you will have to change the rechargeable batteries.