Do you feel as if your hearing aid batteries are not keeping a charge as long as they should? Here are some unexpected reasons that could occur. What is the average period of time that your hearing aid batteries should keep a charge? Anywhere from 3 to 7 days is typical. That’s a very wide range. As a matter of fact, it’s so wide that it probably won’t help you predict what should be taking place with your hearing aid. Things could suddenly get quiet when you’re trying to hear the cashier at the supermarket after 4 days of battery power. Or maybe on day 5, you’re having an enjoyable conversation with friends when you unexpectedly feel very alone because you can’t hear what anyone is saying. Now, you’re watching TV. You can no longer hear the news. Wait, it’s only day 2. Yes, sometimes they even die before that 3-day mark. It’s more than a little inconvenient. You’re missing out on life because you don’t know how much battery power is left in your hearing aids. Here are the most likely culprits if your hearing aid batteries die quickly.
A Battery Can be Drained by Moisture
There aren’t many species that produce moisture through their skin but humans do. It’s a cooling mechanism. It’s the body’s way of purging the blood of sodium and toxins. On top of this, you may live in a rainy or humid climate where things get even wetter. This additional moisture can clog the air vent in your device, making it less effective. It can even deplete the battery directly by interacting with the chemicals which produce electricity. Here are some measures you can take to prevent moisture-caused battery drain:
- Get a dehumidifier for your hearing aids
- Moist environments, like the kitchen or bathroom are not a good place to keep your hearing aids
- if your storing them for several days or more, take the batteries out
- Open the battery door before storing the hearing aids
Advanced Hearing Aid Features Can Deplete Batteries
Current digital hearing aids help people hear a lot better than ones that came out just ten years 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 be aware that if you stream music for hours from your smartphone to your hearing aids, you’ll have to change the battery sooner. Your battery can be drained by any of the advanced features, like Bluetooth, multichannel, noise cancellation, and tinnitus relief.
Batteries Can be Impacted by Altitude Changes
Moving from a low to high altitude can drain your batteries, especially if they’re on their last leg. When flying, skiing or climbing always takes some spare batteries.
It’s Possible That The Batteries Aren’t Really Low
Some models will give you a warning when the battery starts to get too low. These warnings are, under normal circumstances, a “heads up”. It doesn’t mean you have a dead battery. Moreover, sometimes an environmental change in humidity or altitude temporarily causes the charge to drop 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 several more hours or even days out of that battery.
Improper Handling of Batteries
Wait until you’re ready to use your hearing aid to pull the tab from the battery. Refrain from getting skin oil and dirt on your hearing aid by cleansing your hands before touching them. Hearing aid batteries should never be frozen. It doesn’t extend their life as it might with other types of batteries. Simple handling mistakes like these can cause hearing aid batteries to drain faster.
Buying a Year’s Supply of Batteries Isn’t a Good Plan
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 don’t mind wasting a few, try to stay with a six month supply.
Shopping For Hearing Aid Batteries on The Internet
This isn’t a broad critique of purchasing things on the web. You can get some great deals. But some batteries that can be found on the internet are being sold by less honest individuals and are close to their expiration date. Or even worse, they are already passed. So buyer beware.
There’s an expiration date on both zinc and alkaline batteries. You shouldn’t buy milk without looking at the expiration. You should use the same amount of care with batteries. If you’re going to get the most from your pack, be sure the date is well in the future. If the website doesn’t specify an expiration date, message the vendor, or purchase batteries from us. Only buy batteries from reputable sources.
Current Hearing Aids Are Rechargeable
Hearing aids could drain too quickly for a number of reasons. But you can get more power out of your batteries by taking some precautions. You might also consider rechargeable hearing aids if you’re going to buy a new set. You put them on a charger every night for a full charge the next day. The rechargeable batteries only need to be changed every few years.