Do you feel as if your hearing aid batteries won’t keep a charge as long as they should? The reasons for this can be sometimes unexpected. What is the average amount of time that your hearing aid batteries should stay charged? Anywhere from 3 to 7 days is typical. That range is fairly wide. So wide, actually, that it’s unpredictable and puts you in a significant predicament. You may be on day 4 at the grocery store when unexpectedly, things get quiet and you can’t hear the cashier. Or maybe on day 5, you’re enjoying a conversation with friends when you suddenly feel really alone because you can’t hear what anyone is saying. Now, you’re watching the TV. All of a sudden you can’t hear the news. Wait, it’s only day 2. Yes, sometimes they even die before that 3-day mark. It’s not just annoying. You’re missing out on life because you’re not sure how much battery power is left in your hearing aids. Here are the most likely culprits if your hearing aid batteries drain quickly.
Moisture Can Drain a Battery
There aren’t many species that produce moisture through their skin but humans do. We do it to cool off. We do it to get rid of excess toxins or sodium in the blood. You may also live in a climate that is moist and humid. 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 generate electricity. Here are a few steps you can take to avoid moisture-caused battery drain:
- Moist environments, like the kitchen or bathroom are not a good place to keep your hearing aids
- Open the battery door when you store the hearing aids
- Don’t leave the batteries in when you’re storing them for several days
- Obtain a dehumidifier for your hearing aids
Advanced Hearing Aid Functions Can Drain Batteries
Current digital hearing aids help people hear so much better than ones that came out just a decade ago. But if you’re not keeping your eye on them, these advanced features can cause faster battery drain. You can still use your favorite features. But keep in mind, you will have to replace the battery sooner if you are streaming music from your phone for hours. Your battery can be depleted by any of the advanced functions, like Bluetooth, multichannel, noise cancellation, and tinnitus relief.
Altitude Changes Can Impact Batteries Too
Going from a low to high altitude can deplete your batteries, particularly if they’re on their older. Bring some extra batteries if you are going on a plane or high up into the mountains.
Are The Batteries Really Low?
Some models will give you a warning when the battery begins to get too low. Generally, these warnings are giving you a “heads up”. It doesn’t mean you have a depleted battery. Moreover, sometimes an environmental change in altitude or humidity briefly causes the charge to dip and the low battery alarm gets triggered. Take the hearing aids out and reset them to end the alarm. You might be able to get a few more hours or possibly even days out of that battery.
Handling Batteries Improperly
Wait until you’re ready to use your hearing aid to remove the tab from the battery. Always wash your hands before handling your hearing aids or batteries to protect against getting dirt or hand oil on them. Don’t ever freeze hearing aid batteries. This trick might extend the life of some kinds of battery but it doesn’t work with hearing aid batteries. Hearing aid batteries might lose battery power quicker if you make these simple handling mistakes.
Buying a Year’s Supply of Batteries Isn’t a Good Plan
Buying in bulk is typically a smart money decision if you can afford to do it. But as you get toward the end of the pack, the last few batteries likely won’t last as long. Try to stick with a 6-month supply or less unless you’re fine with wasting a few.
Buying Hearing Aid Batteries on The Web
It’s not a general critique of buying things on the internet. You can get some good deals. But some less scrupulous people sell batteries on the internet that are very near to the expiration date. Or even worse, it has already passed. So buyer beware.
There’s an expiration date on both alkaline and zinc batteries. If you were going to buy milk, you would check the expiration date. You have to use the same amount of care with batteries. If you want to get the most out of your pack, make sure the date is well in the future. It’s probably a smart idea to message the vendor if you don’t see an expiration date or better yet, come see us for your battery needs. Only purchase batteries from reputable sources.
Current Hearing Aids Are Rechargeable
Hearing aids might drain too rapidly for numerous reasons. But you can get more power from your batteries by taking some precautions. You might also consider rechargeable hearing aids if you’re going to buy a new set. If you charge them while you sleep, you get a full day of power the next day. The rechargeable batteries only have to be replaced every few years.
