Does it seem like your hearing aid batteries die way too quickly? There are numerous reasons why this may be happening that might be unexpected.
How long should hearing aid batteries last? The typical hearing aid battery lasts anywhere from 3 to 7 days.
That range is fairly wide. But it’s so wide that it’s unpredictable and may leave you in trouble.
You may be at market on day 4. Suddenly, your sound cuts out. You don’t hear the cashier.
Or, you’re out for dinner with friends on day 5. Suddenly, you find yourself feeling very alone because you can no longer follow the conversation.
Now, you’re attending your grandchild’s school play. You can no longer hear the children singing. Wait, it’s just day 2. Yes, they even sometimes drain after a couple of days.
It’s not just inconvenient. You’re missing out on life because you don’t know how much juice you have left in your hearing aids.
If your hearing aid batteries die too quickly, check out these seven possible causes.
Moisture can drain a battery
Did you realize 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. On top of this, 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, affecting the hearing aid’s efficiency. It can even interact with the chemicals that generate electricity causing it to drain even faster.
Avoid battery drain related to moisture with these steps:
- Take the batteries out if you’re storing them for several days
- Before going to bed, open up the battery door
- Use a dehumidifier
- Don’t store your hearing aids in the bathroom or kitchen
Advanced hearing aid functions can run down batteries
Even a decade ago, hearing aids were much less helpful for people with hearing loss than modern devices. But when these sophisticated functions are in use, they can be a drain on battery power.
Don’t stop using your favorite features. But just know that if you stream music for hours from your smartphone to your hearing aids, you’ll need to change the battery sooner.
Noise-canceling, Bluetooth, multichannel, tinnitus relief — all of these added functions can drain your battery.
Altitude changes can impact batteries too
Going from a low to high altitude can deplete your batteries, particularly if they’re low already. When flying, climbing, or skiing remember to bring some spares.
Maybe the batteries aren’t actually drained
Some hearing aids let you know 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. In addition, you might 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 could be hours or even days of power left.
Handling the batteries improperly
You shouldn’t pull off the little tab from the battery before you’re ready to use it. Always wash your hands before handling your hearing aids or batteries so you don’t get hand oil or dirt on them. Never freeze hearing aid batteries. This may extend the life of other batteries but it doesn’t work with hearing aid batteries.
Basic handling errors like these can make hearing aid batteries drain faster.
Overstocking on batteries isn’t a good plan
It’s usually a practical financial choice to buy in bulk. But as you get toward the end of the pack, the last few batteries likely won’t last as long. Try to stick with a 6-month supply or less unless you’re okay with the waste.
Online battery vendors
We’re not suggesting it’s necessarily a bad idea to buy things on the internet. You can find a lot of bargains. But some less honest people will sell batteries online that are very near to the expiration date. Or worse, it has already passed.
Most types of batteries, including hearing aid batteries, have expiration dates. When you buy milk, you wouldn’t forget to check the expiration date. You shouldn’t do that with batteries either. In order to get the most from your battery, make sure 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’re going to shop on the internet be sure the vendor states when the batteries will expire. Make sure you check reviews to be certain you’re buying from a reliable source.
The batteries in hearing aids no longer drain quickly
Hearing aid batteries might drain faster for several reasons. But by taking little precautions you can get more energy from each battery. You may also consider rechargeable hearing aids if you’re shopping for a new set. You will get a full day of power after each night of recharging. Every few years, you will need to replace the rechargeable batteries.