Do you feel like your hearing aid batteries won’t keep a charge as long as they should? Here are a few unexpected reasons that could happen.What is the average period of time that your hearing aid batteries should stay charged? The typical hearing aid battery should last between 3 and 7 days. That range is fairly wide. In fact, it’s so wide that it probably doesn’t help you predict what should be taking place with your hearing aid. Things might suddenly go quiet when you’re trying to hear the cashier at the grocery store 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 very alone because you can no longer follow the conversation. Now, you’re watching the TV. All of a sudden you can’t hear the news. Hold on, it’s only day 2. Yes, occasionally they even die before that 3-day mark. It’s more than a little inconvenient. You simply can’t tell how much battery power you have left in your hearing aids and it’s causing you to miss out on life. Here are the most likely culprits if your hearing aid batteries die too soon.
A Battery Can be Depleted by Moisture
There aren’t very many species that produce moisture through their skin but humans do. We do it to cool off. We do it to clear out excess toxins or sodium in the blood. You may also live in a climate that is humid and moist. The air vent in your hearing aid can become clogged by this additional moisture and it will be less efficient. It can even deplete the battery directly by interacting with the chemicals which create electricity. Here are some steps you can take to prevent moisture-caused battery drain:
- A dehumidifier for your hearing aid is beneficial
- Don’t leave the batteries in when you’re storing them for several days
- Moist conditions, like the kitchen or bathroom are not a good place to keep your hearing aids
- Before you store your hearing aids, open the battery door
Advanced Hearing Aid Features Can Drain Batteries
Advanced digital hearing aids help people hear a lot better than ones that you could get just 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 all day from your mobile device to your hearing aids, you’ll have to replace the battery sooner. Your battery can be drained by any of the advanced functions, like Bluetooth, multichannel, noise cancellation, and tinnitus relief.
Batteries Can be Affected by Altitude Changes
Moving from a low to high altitude can deplete your batteries, especially if they’re on their last leg. Take some extra batteries if you are going on a plane or high up into the mountains.
Are The Batteries Really Low?
Some hearing aids tell you when the battery is running low. Generally, these alerts are giving you a “heads up”. It doesn’t mean you have a depleted battery. Also, the charge can occasionally drop temporarily due to environmental or altitude changes and that can activate a false low battery warning. Remove the hearing aids and reset them to end the alarm. The battery might last a few more hours or even days.
Improper Handling of Batteries
Wait until you’re ready to use your hearing aid to pull the tab from the battery. Make sure you wash your hands before touching your hearing aids or batteries to protect against getting dirt or hand oil on them. Hearing aid batteries should not be frozen. This trick may increase the life of some kinds of battery but it doesn’t work with hearing aid batteries. Simple handling errors like these can cause hearing aid batteries to drain faster.
Getting a Year’s Supply of Batteries Isn’t a Very Good Plan
If you can afford to do it, purchasing in bulk can be a smart idea. But the last few batteries in the pack most likely won’t have full power. Unless you’re fine with wasting a few, try to stick to a six month supply.
Purchasing Hearing Aid Batteries on The Internet
Shopping online can be a good thing. There are some pretty great deals out in cyberspace. But some batteries that are available on the internet are being sold by less honest individuals and are close to their expiration date. Or even worse, it has already passed. So you need to be cautious.
Both alkaline (AA, AAA, etc.) and zinc hearing aid batteries have a date they will expire. If you were going to buy milk, you would look at the expiration date. You need to use the same amount of care with batteries. If you’re going to get the most out of your pack, make sure the date is well in the future. If the website doesn’t state an expiration date, send the online vendor a message, or purchase batteries from us. Make sure you know and trust the seller.
Modern Hearing Aids Are Rechargeable
Hearing aids might drain too quickly for numerous reasons. But you can get more life out of your batteries by taking some precautions. If you’re in the market for a new pair of hearing aids, you might consider a rechargeable model. If you charge them at night, you get a full day of hearing the next day. The rechargeable batteries only need to be changed every few years.
