Do you feel as if your hearing aid batteries won’t keep a charge as long as they should? Here are some unexpected reasons that could happen.What is the average period of time that your hearing aid batteries should keep a charge? The normal hearing aid battery should last anywhere from 3 to 7 days. That range is pretty wide. So wide, in fact, that it’s unpredictable and puts you in a significant predicament. You may be on day 4 at the grocery store when unexpectedly, things go quiet and you’re unable to hear the cashier. 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. Occasionally the batteries don’t even make that 3 day mark. Like when you’re watching TV on day 2 and all of a sudden you can’t hear the show your watching. It’s more than a little inconvenient. You simply can’t tell how much battery power your hearing aids have left and it’s making you miss out on life. If your hearing aid batteries are dying too quickly, there are a few likely causes.
Moisture Can Deplete a Battery
Did you realize that humans are one of the few species that release moisture through their skin? We do it to cool down. It’s the body’s way of purging the blood of toxins and sodium. You may also live in a climate that is moist and humid. The air vent in your hearing aid can become clogged by this added moisture and it will be less effective. It can even drain the battery directly by interacting with the chemicals which generate electricity. You can prevent moisture-related battery drainage with these steps:
- Before you store your hearing aids, open the battery door
- A dehumidifier for your hearing aid is beneficial
- Moist conditions, like the kitchen or bathroom are not a good place to keep your hearing aids
- Don’t leave the batteries in if you’re storing them for several days
Advanced Hearing Aid Functions Can Deplete Batteries
Current digital hearing aids help people hear a lot better than ones that came out just 10 years ago. But if you’re not keeping your eye on them, these advanced features can cause faster battery drain. Don’t avoid using your favorite features. But keep in mind, you will have to switch out the battery sooner if you are streaming music from your phone all day. Bluetooth, multichannel, tinnitus relief, noise canceling — all of these added functions can deplete your battery.
Batteries Can be Affected by Altitude Changes
Going from a low to high altitude can deplete your batteries, specifically if they’re on their last leg. When skiing, flying or climbing always brings some extra batteries.
Perhaps The Batteries Aren’t Really Low
Some hearing aids let you know when the battery is low. These warnings are, under normal circumstances, a “heads up”. It doesn’t mean you have a dead battery. Additionally, the charge can sometimes dip temporarily due to altitude or environmental changes and that can activate a false low battery warning. Take the hearing aids out and reset them to stop the alarm. The battery may last a few more hours or even days.
Handling Batteries Improperly
You should not take out 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 protect against getting dirt or hand oil on them. Hearing aid batteries should never be frozen. This technique might extend the life of some types of battery but it doesn’t work with hearing aid batteries. Simple handling errors like these can make hearing aid batteries drain faster.
It’s Not a Good Idea to Buy a Year’s Supply of Batteries
When you can afford to do it, purchasing in bulk can be a smart idea. But the last few batteries in the pack probably won’t have full power. Unless you’re fine with wasting a few, try to stay with a six month supply.
Purchasing Hearing Aid Batteries Online
Shopping online can be a good thing. You can get some good deals. But some less honest people will sell batteries on the internet that are very close to the expiration date. Or worse, it has already passed. So buyer beware.
Both alkaline (AA, AAA, etc.) and zinc hearing aid batteries have an expiration date. If you were going to buy milk, you would check the expiration date. You should do that with batteries also. If you’re going to get the most from your pack, make sure the date is well in the future. If the website doesn’t specify an expiration date, send the online vendor a message, or buy batteries from us. Be sure you know and trust the seller.
Modern Hearing Aids Are Rechargeable
There are several reasons that hearing batteries could drain quickly. But by taking little precautions you can get more life out of each battery. You might also think about rechargeable hearing aids if you’re going to buy a new set. You put them on a charger every night for a full day of hearing the next day. And you only have to replace them every few years.
