Does it seem like your hearing aid batteries die way too quickly? Here are some unexpected reasons that might occur.
How long should hearing aid batteries last? The typical hearing aid battery lasts anywhere from 3 to 7 days.
That’s a really wide range. So wide, in fact, that it’s unpredictable and leaves you in a serious situation.
You might be on day 4 at the grocery store. All of a sudden, you can’t hear anything. The cashier is talking to you but you don’t hear what they are saying.
Or it’s day 5. You’re appreciating a night out with friends. Suddenly, you find yourself feeling really alone because you can no longer follow what your friends are saying.
Perhaps you go to your grandchild’s school to watch a play. And the children’s singing disappears. But it’s only day 2. Yes, sometimes they even drain before the 3rd day.
It’s more than annoying. You’re missing out on life because you don’t know how much juice you have left in your hearing aids.
Here are 7 likely causes if your hearing aid batteries drain quickly.
Moisture can kill a battery
Releasing moisture through our skin is one thing that human beings do that most other species don’t. It’s a cooling system. It also cleans the blood of excess toxins and sodium. In addition, you might live in a humid or rainy 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 interact with the chemicals that produce electricity causing it to drain even faster.
Here are several steps you can take to avoid moisture-caused battery drain:
- Don’t store your hearing aids in the kitchen or bathroom
- If you’re storing your hearing aids for a prolonged time period, remove the batteries
- Open up the battery door before you store your hearing aids
- A dehumidifier is helpful
Advanced hearing aid features can drain batteries
Current digital hearing aids help people hear so much better than ones that came out only a decade ago. But these added features can cause batteries to drain faster if you’re not watching.
That doesn’t mean you should stop using these amazing features. But just know that if you stream music all day from your smartphone to your hearing aids, you’ll need to change the battery sooner.
All these added features, like Bluetooth, tinnitus relief, or multichannel, can drain the battery faster.
Altitude changes can impact batteries too
Going from a low to high altitude can deplete your batteries, especially if they’re low already. When flying, climbing, or skiing always takes some spares.
Is the battery actually drained?
Some hearing aids let you know when the battery is getting low. As a general rule, these warnings are giving you a “heads up”. They’re not telling you the battery is dead. In addition, you may get a warning when the charge takes a dip due to an altitude or humidity change.
Take out the hearing aids and reset them to stop the alarm. There could be hours or even days of power left.
Handling the batteries improperly
Wait until you’re ready to use the battery before you pull off the protective tab. Always wash your hands before handling your hearing aids or batteries so you don’t get hand oil or dirt on them. Keep your batteries out of the freezer. This may extend the life of other batteries but that’s not the case with hearing aid batteries.
Simple handling mistakes like these can make hearing aid batteries drain faster.
Buying a year’s supply of batteries isn’t a great idea
It’s usually a practical financial decision to buy in bulk. But you can anticipate that the last few batteries in the pack won’t last as long. It can be a waste to buy any more than a 6 month supply.
internet battery vendors
We’re not suggesting it’s necessarily a bad idea to buy things on the internet. You can find lots of bargains. But you will also come across some less honest sellers who will sell batteries that are near to or even past their expiration date.
Both alkaline (AA, AAA, etc.) and zinc hearing aid batteries have expiration dates. When you buy milk, you wouldn’t forget to look at the expiration date. The same goes with batteries. If you want to get the most out of your battery, make sure the date is well into the future.
If you buy your batteries at a hearing aid store or pharmacy, the expiration date will be on the packaging, but if you are going to shop online make sure the vendor specifies when the batteries will expire. Make sure you look for reviews to be certain you’re buying from a reputable source.
The batteries in hearing aids no longer drain quickly
Hearing aid batteries might drain faster for numerous reasons. But by taking little precautions you can get more power out of each battery. And if you’re thinking of an upgrade, think about rechargeable hearing aids. You will get a full day of power after each night of recharging. The rechargeable batteries only have to be swapped out every few years.