Does it seem like your hearing aid batteries drain way too quickly? There are several reasons why this might be occurring that may be unexpected.
How long should hearing aid batteries last? From 3 to 7 days is the standard period of time for charge to last.
That’s a really wide range. But it’s so wide that it’s unpredictable and may leave you in a bind.
You could be at market on day 4. Suddenly, things get quiet. You don’t hear the cashier.
Or, you’re out for dinner with friends on day 5. All of a sudden, you can’t follow the discussion and it’s leaving you feeling quite alone.
Maybe you go to your grandchild’s school to see a 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 more than inconvenient. You have no idea how much power 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.
Moisture can kill a battery
Producing moisture through our skin is one thing that humans do that most other species don’t. You do it to cool down. It also cleans the blood of unwanted toxins and sodium. On top of this, you might live in a humid or rainy environment where things get even wetter.
This excess moisture can clog the air vent in your device, affecting the hearing aid’s efficiency. It can even interact with the chemicals that produce electricity causing it to drain even faster.
Here are a few steps you can take to prevent moisture-caused battery drain:
- A dehumidifier can be helpful
- Take the batteries out if you’re storing them for several days
- Before going to bed, open up the battery door
- Store your hearing aids in a spot where moisture is minimum
Advanced hearing aid features can drain batteries
Current digital hearing aids help individuals hear so much better than ones that came out just a decade ago. But these added features can cause batteries to drain more quickly if you’re not watching.
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.
All these extra functions, like Bluetooth, tinnitus relief, or multichannel, can drain the battery faster.
Altitude changes can affect batteries too
Going from a low to high altitude can deplete your batteries, particularly if they’re low already. Be certain that you bring some spares if you are in the mountains or on an aircraft.
Perhaps the batteries aren’t actually drained
Many hearing aids will warn you when the batteries need to be changed. Generally, these alerts are giving you a “heads up”. They’re not telling you the battery is dead. Moreover, sometimes an environmental change in altitude or humidity temporarily causes the charge to dip and the low battery alarm will sound.
Take out the hearing aids and reset them to stop the alarm. There may be hours or even days of juice left.
Improper handling of batteries
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 to avoid getting hand oil or dirt on them. Never freeze hearing aid batteries. This might extend the life of other batteries but that’s not the case with hearing aid batteries.
Simple handling errors like these can make hearing aid batteries drain faster.
Purchasing a year’s supply of batteries isn’t a great idea
Buying in bulk is often a smart money choice when you can afford it. But as you get toward the end of the pack, the last few batteries likely won’t last as long. It can be a waste to purchase any more than a 6 month supply.
internet battery vendors
This isn’t a general critique of buying stuff online. You can find a lot of bargains. But some less honest people will sell batteries on the internet that are very near to the expiration date. Or worse, it has already gone by.
Most kinds of batteries, including hearing aid batteries, have expiration dates. You wouldn’t buy milk without checking when it expires. You shouldn’t do that with batteries either. 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, send the online vendor a message, or buy batteries at a pharmacy or hearing aid store where you can see it on the packaging. 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 may drain more quickly for several reasons. But by taking little precautions you can get more power from each battery. You might also consider rechargeable hearing aids if you’re in the market for a new pair. You will get an entire day of power after each night of recharging. Every few years, you will need to replace the rechargeable batteries.
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The site information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. To receive a personalized free hearing test and hearing loss consultation, call today to set up an appointment.