Do your hearing aid batteries seem to die quicker than they should? There are numerous reasons why this might be occurring that might be surprising.
So how long should the charge on my hearing aid battery go? From 3 to 7 days is the standard time-frame for charge to last.
That’s a very wide range. 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 it’s day 5. You’re enjoying 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 at your grandson’s school play. And the kid’s singing goes quiet. But it’s only day 2. Yes, they even sometimes die after a couple of days.
It’s more than inconvenient. You’re missing out on life because you don’t know how much power is left in your hearing aids.
Here are 7 likely culprits if your hearing aid batteries die quickly.
Your Battery can be drained by moisture
Did you know that humans are one of the few species that discharge moisture through their skin? It’s a cooling system. It also helps clear the blood of unwanted toxins and sodium. In addition, you may live in a rainy humid environment where things get even wetter.
This excess moisture can clog up the air vent in your device, making hearing aids less efficient. It can even kill the battery directly by interacting with the chemicals that produce electricity.
Here are a few steps you can take to prevent moisture-caused battery drain:
- Open up the battery door before storing the hearing aids
- Don’t store your hearing aids in the kitchen or bathroom
- Take the batteries out if you’re storing them for several days
- A dehumidifier can be helpful
Sophisticated modern features are power intensive
Even 10 years ago, hearing aids were a lot less helpful for people with hearing loss than current devices. But when these sophisticated features are being used, they can be a draw on battery power.
That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use these amazing features. But just know that if you stream music all day from your smartphone to your hearing aids, you’ll need to replace the battery sooner.
All these added functions, like Bluetooth, tinnitus relief, or multichannel, can drain the battery faster.
Altitude changes can impact batteries as well
Your batteries can be quickly depleted when you have a rapid climb in altitude, and if they’re already low this is especially true. Make sure you bring some spares if you are in the mountains or on a plane.
Perhaps the batteries aren’t really drained
Many hearing aids will alert you when the batteries need to be changed. These warnings, generally speaking, aren’t telling you that your batteries are dead, they’re just a heads up. On top of this, sometimes an environmental change in humidity or altitude temporarily 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 power left.
Handling the batteries incorrectly
Wait until it’s time to use the battery before you pull off the protective tab. Hand oil or dirt can be an issue for batteries so wash up before you handle them. Don’t ever freeze hearing aid batteries. It doesn’t extend their life as it might with other types of batteries.
Basic handling errors 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 buy in bulk. But as you get toward the end of the pack, the last few batteries most likely won’t last as long. Try to limit yourself to a 6-month supply or less unless you’re fine with the waste.
Buying hearing aid batteries online
We’re not suggesting it’s always a bad idea to purchase things on the internet. You can get some really good deals. But you will also find 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 buy milk, you wouldn’t forget to check the date it expires. 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 the website doesn’t state an expiration date, message the seller, or purchase batteries at a pharmacy or hearing aid store where you can see it on the packaging. Make sure you check reviews to be certain you’re buying from a reliable source.
Hearing aid batteries drain quickly no longer
There are numerous reasons that hearing aid batteries could drain quickly. But you can get more energy from each battery by taking little precautions. You may also consider rechargeable hearing aids if you’re in the market for a new pair. You put these hearing aids on a charger each night for a full day of hearing the next day. Every few years, you will have to change the rechargeable batteries.