Do you feel as if your hearing aid batteries won’t keep a charge as long as they should? Here are a few unexpected reasons that might occur.What is the average amount of time that your hearing aid batteries should keep a charge? Anywhere from 3 to 7 days is standard. That range is pretty wide. So wide, in fact, that it’s unpredictable and leaves you in a significant predicament. You could 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 having a call with friends when all of a sudden 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 suddenly you can’t hear the show your that’s on. It isn’t just annoying. You’re missing out on life because you don’t know how much juice is left in your hearing aids. Here are the likely culprits if your hearing aid batteries die too soon.
A Battery Can be Depleted by Moisture
There aren’t very many species that release moisture through their skin but humans do. We do it to cool off. We do it to clear out excess toxins or sodium in the blood. In addition, you might live in a humid or rainy climate where things are even more moist. The air vent in your hearing aid can get clogged by this additional moisture and it will be less reliable. It can even deplete the battery directly by interacting with the chemicals that generate electricity. Here are a few measures you can take to prevent moisture-caused battery drain:
- Before you store your hearing aids, open the battery door
- A dehumidifier for your hearing aid is beneficial
- Don’t keep your hearing aids in the bathroom, kitchen or other moist environments
- Don’t leave the batteries in when you’re storing them for a few 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 these extra features can cause batteries to drain faster if you’re not paying attention. You can still use your favorite features. But remember, you will have to change the battery sooner if you are streaming music from your phone all day. Bluetooth, multichannel, tinnitus relief, noise canceling — all of these additional features can drain your battery.
Batteries Can be Impacted by Altitude Changes
Your batteries can be drained if you go from low to high altitudes especially if they are already low on juice. Take some spare batteries if you are going on a plane or high up into the mountains.
Are The Batteries Really Low?
Some models will give you an alert when the battery begins to get too low. These warnings are, under normal circumstances, a “heads up”. They’re not telling you the battery is dead. Moreover, sometimes an environmental change in altitude or humidity briefly causes the charge to drop and the low battery alarm gets triggered. In order to end the alarm, take the batteries out, and then put them back in. You may be able to get a few more hours or possibly even days of battery life.
Handling Batteries Improperly
Wait until you’re about to use your hearing aid to remove the tab from the battery. 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 trick may increase the life of some types of battery but it doesn’t work with hearing aid batteries. Simple handling mistakes such as these can make hearing aid batteries drain more quickly.
It’s Not a Good Plan to Purchase a Year’s Supply of Batteries
Buying in bulk is usually a smart money move if you can afford to do it. But the last few batteries in the pack probably won’t have full power. Unless you don’t mind wasting a few, try to stick to a six month supply.
Shopping For Hearing Aid Batteries on The Web
It’s not a general critique of purchasing things online. You can get some great deals. But some less honest people sell batteries on the internet that are very close to the expiration date. Or even worse, it has already passed. So buyer beware.
Both alkaline (AA, AAA, etc.) and zinc hearing aid batteries have a date they will expire. You wouldn’t buy milk without looking at the expiration date. You should do that with batteries too. Be certain that the date is well in the future to get the most use out of the pack. If the website doesn’t state an expiration date, message the vendor, or buy batteries directly from us. Make sure you know and trust the seller.
Modern Hearing Aids Are Rechargeable
Hearing aids could drain too quickly for a number of reasons. But by taking some precautions you can get more energy out of each battery. You might also consider rechargeable hearing aids if you’re in the market for 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.