Does it seem as if your hearing aid batteries drain way too quickly? Here are a few unexpected reasons that could happen.How long should hearing aid batteries last? Between 3 to 7 days is typical. That range is pretty wide. In fact, it’s so wide that it probably can’t help you predict what should be happening with your hearing aid. Things could suddenly go 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 all of a sudden you find yourself feeling very alone because you can no longer follow the conversation. Now, you’re watching TV. You can no longer hear the news. Hold on, it’s only day 2. Yes, sometimes they even die before that 3-day mark. It’s more than a little inconvenient. You’re missing out on life because you don’t know how much juice you have left in your hearing aids. Here are the likely culprits if your hearing aid batteries die too soon.
Moisture Can Drain a Battery
Did you realize that humans are one of the few species that produce moisture through their skin? We do it to cool off. It’s the body’s way of ridding the blood of toxins and sodium. You may also live in a climate that is humid and moist. The air vent in your hearing aid can get clogged by this additional moisture and it will be less reliable. It can even drain the battery directly by interacting with the chemicals that generate electricity. Here are some measures you can take to avoid moisture-caused battery drain:
- A dehumidifier for your hearing aid is recommended
- Moist conditions, like the kitchen or bathroom aren’t a good place to keep your hearing aids
- if your storing them for a number of days or more, take the batteries out
- Open the battery door when you store the hearing aids
Batteries Can be Drained by Advanced Hearing Aid Functions
You get a much better hearing aid nowadays than you did even ten years ago. But these extra features can cause batteries to run down faster if you’re not paying attention. You can still use your favorite features. But remember, you will have to switch out the battery sooner if you are streaming music from your phone all day. Noise-canceling, Bluetooth, multichannel, tinnitus relief — all of these additional features can drain your battery.
Altitude Changes Can Impact Batteries Too
Your batteries can be drained if you go from low to high altitudes particularly if they are already low on juice. When flying, skiing or climbing always brings some spare batteries.
Are The Batteries Really Low?
Some models will give you an alert when the battery begins to get too low. Generally, these warnings are giving you a “heads up”. It doesn’t mean you have a dead battery. Furthermore, the charge can occasionally drop temporarily due to altitude or environmental changes and that can cause a false low battery warning. Take the hearing aids out and reset them to stop the alarm. You may be able to get several more hours or even days out of that battery.
Handling Batteries Improperly
You should never take out the little tab from the battery before you’re ready to use it. Steer clear of getting skin oil and dirt on your hearing aid by cleaning your hands before touching them. Don’t ever freeze hearing aid batteries. It doesn’t extend their life as it might with other kinds of batteries. Hearing aid batteries may lose battery power more quickly if you make these basic handling errors.
Purchasing a Year’s Supply of Batteries Isn’t a Good Plan
Buying in bulk is usually a smart money decision if you can afford to do it. But as you get toward the end of the pack, the last several batteries most likely won’t be at full power. Unless you’re fine with wasting a few, try to stay with a six month supply.
Shopping For Hearing Aid Batteries on The Internet
This isn’t a general critique of purchasing stuff on the web. There are some really great deals out in cyberspace. But some less scrupulous people sell batteries on the internet that are very close to the expiration date. They might even be beyond their expiration date. So buyer beware.
There’s an expiration date on both alkaline and zinc batteries. You wouldn’t buy milk without checking the expiration. You need to use the same amount of care with batteries. Make sure that the date is not close to the expiration to get the most use out of the pack. It’s probably a good idea to message the vendor if there isn’t an expiration date or better yet, come see us for your battery needs. Only buy batteries from reliable sources.
Now You Can Get Rechargeable Hearing Aids
Hearing aids may drain too quickly for numerous reasons. But by taking some precautions you can get more energy from each battery. You may also think about rechargeable hearing aids if you’re in the market for a new set. If you charge them at night, you get a full day of hearing the next day. The rechargeable batteries only have to be changed every few years.