Do your hearing aid batteries seem to drain quicker than they ought to? There are several reasons why this might be taking place that may be surprising.
So how far should the charge on my hearing aid battery go? From 3 to 7 days is the standard amount of time for charge to last.
That’s a very wide range. But it’s so wide that it’s unpredictable and might leave you in trouble.
You could be at the store on day 4. All of a sudden, you can’t hear anything. You can’t hear the cashier.
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.
Maybe you go to your grandchild’s school to see a play. And the kid’s singing goes quiet. But it’s only day 2. Yes, they even sometimes drain after a couple of days.
It’s more than inconvenient. You have no clue how much juice is left and it’s causing you to miss out on life.
If your hearing aid batteries die too quickly, look to these seven possible causes.
Your Battery can be drained by moisture
Did you realize that humans are one of the few species that produce moisture through their skin? It’s a cooling system. It also helps clear the blood of unwanted toxins and sodium. In addition, you might live in a humid or rainy environment where things get even wetter.
The air vent in your device can become plugged by this excess moisture which can cause less efficient performance. It can even drain the battery directly by interacting with the chemicals that make electricity.
Avoid battery drain related to moisture using these steps:
- Before going to bed, open the battery door
- Don’t store your hearing aids in the kitchen or bathroom
- Take the batteries out if you’re storing them for a few days
- A dehumidifier is helpful
Advanced hearing aid features can drain batteries
Current digital hearing aids help individuals hear so much better than ones that came out only 10 years ago. But when these advanced functions are in use, 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 extra features can drain your battery.
Altitude changes can affect batteries as well
Your batteries can be quickly depleted when you have a quick climb in altitude, and if they’re already low this is particularly true. When flying, climbing, or skiing remember to bring some spares.
Maybe the batteries aren’t really drained
Many hearing aids will alert you when the batteries need to be replaced. These warnings, generally speaking, aren’t telling you that your batteries are dead, they’re simply a heads up. In addition, you may get a warning when the charge drops because of an altitude or humidity change.
You can stop the alarm by removing and resetting your hearing aid. There may be hours or even days of power left.
Handling the batteries improperly
You shouldn’t remove the little tab from the battery before you’re ready to use it. 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. This might increase the life of other batteries but that’s not the case with hearing aid batteries.
Hearing aids will drain more quickly if you mishandle them in these ways.
Overstocking on batteries isn’t a good plan
Buying in bulk is often a smart money decision when you can afford it. But as you get toward the end of the pack, the last several 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 online
This isn’t a general criticism of buying things online. You can find lots of bargains. But you will also find some less honest sellers who will sell batteries that are near to or even past their expiration date.
Most types of batteries, including hearing aid batteries, have expiration dates. When you purchase milk, you wouldn’t forget to look at the expiration date. The same goes with batteries. Be certain that the date is well in the future to get the most usage out of the pack.
If the website doesn’t state an expiration date, message the seller, or buy batteries at a pharmacy or hearing aid center where you can see it on the packaging. Make sure you look for reviews to be certain you’re purchasing from a trustworthy source.
The batteries in hearing aids no longer drain quickly
Hearing aid batteries may drain more quickly for numerous reasons. But by taking little precautions you can get more power out of each battery. And if you’re considering an upgrade, consider rechargeable hearing aids. You will get an entire day of power after each night of recharging. The rechargeable batteries only have to be replaced every few years.