Do your hearing aid batteries seem to die quicker than they ought to? There are several reasons why this may be happening that may be surprising.
So how far should the charge on my hearing aid battery last? The standard hearing aid battery lasts anywhere from 3 to 7 days.
That’s a really wide range. But it’s so wide that it’s unpredictable and might leave you in a bind.
You could be on day 4 at the supermarket store. Suddenly, your sound cuts out. The cashier is speaking to you but you don’t hear what they are saying.
Or it’s day 5. You’re enjoying a night out with friends. All of a sudden, you can’t hear the conversation and it’s leaving you feeling rather alone.
Now, you’re at your grandson’s school play. And the kid’s singing goes quiet. Wait, it’s just day 2. Yes, they even occasionally die 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.
Here are 7 possible causes if your hearing aid batteries die quickly.
Moisture can drain a battery
Releasing moisture through our skin is one thing that humans do that the majority of other species don’t. It’s a cooling system. It also cleans the blood of excess toxins and sodium. Your battery may be exposed to even more moisture if you live in a humid or rainy setting.
This extra moisture can clog up the air vent in your device, making hearing aids less efficient. It can even drain the battery directly by interacting with the chemicals that make electricity.
Prevent battery drain caused by moisture using these steps:
- Don’t leave the batteries in if you’re storing them for several days
- A dehumidifier is helpful
- Open the battery door before you store your hearing aids
- Store your hearing aids in a spot where moisture is at a minimum
Sophisticated modern features are power intensive
Even a decade ago, hearing aids were much less helpful for people with hearing loss than current devices. But these added functions can cause batteries to drain faster if you’re not paying attention.
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 replace the battery sooner.
All these added functions, like Bluetooth, tinnitus relief, or multichannel, can drain the battery more quickly.
Batteries can be impacted by altitude changes
Going from a low to high altitude can deplete your batteries, especially if they’re on their last leg. When flying, skiing, or climbing remember to bring some spares.
Is the battery actually drained?
Many hearing aids will warn you when the batteries need to be replaced. These warnings, generally speaking, aren’t telling you that your batteries are dead, they’re just a heads up. Additionally, you may get a warning when the charge drops due to 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.
Incorrect handling of batteries
You should never remove the little tab from the battery if you’re not ready to use it. Hand oil or dirt can be a problem for batteries so wash up before handling them. Never freeze hearing aid batteries. This might increase the life of other batteries but that’s not the case with hearing aid batteries.
Basic handling mistakes like these can make hearing aid batteries drain faster.
Overstocking on batteries isn’t a good plan
Purchasing in bulk is usually 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. Try to limit yourself to a 6-month supply or less unless you’re fine with the waste.
Online battery vendors
We’re not claiming it’s always a bad idea to purchase things on the internet. You can get some really good deals. But some less honest people will sell batteries online that are very close to the expiration date. Or even worse, it has already passed.
Most kinds of batteries, including hearing aid batteries, have expiration dates. You wouldn’t buy milk without looking at when it expires. The same goes with batteries. Make sure that the date is far enough in the future to get the most use out of the pack.
If the website doesn’t declare an expiration date, message the seller, or purchase batteries at a pharmacy or hearing aid store where you can see it on the packaging. Only buy batteries from reliable sources.
Hearing aid batteries drain quickly no more
There are numerous reasons that hearing aid batteries might drain quickly. But you can get more energy from each battery by taking little precautions. And if you’re thinking of an upgrade, think about rechargeable hearing aids. You will get a full day of power after every night of recharging. The rechargeable batteries only need to be replaced every few years.
