Does it seem like your hearing aid batteries drain way too quickly? 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 standard. That’s a very wide range. So wide, actually, that it’s unpredictable and leaves you in a challenging predicament. You may be on day 4 at the grocery store when all of a sudden, things go quiet and you can’t hear the cashier. Or it’s day 5 and you’re enjoying a call with friends when suddenly you find yourself feeling really alone because you can no longer follow the conversation. Now, you’re watching the TV. All of a sudden you can’t hear the news. Hold on, 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 juice you have left in your hearing aids. Here are the most likely culprits if your hearing aid batteries drain quickly.
Moisture Can Deplete a Battery
There aren’t many species that release moisture through their skin but humans do. It’s a cooling method. We do it to get rid of excess sodium or toxins in the blood. You might also live in a climate that is moist and humid. This excess moisture can clog the air vent in your device, making it less efficient. Moisture can also mix with the chemicals of the battery causing it to drain faster. You can prevent moisture-related battery drainage with these steps:
- Open the battery door before storing the hearing aids
- Get a dehumidifier for your hearing aids
- if your storing them for a few days or more, remove the batteries
- Moist conditions, like the kitchen or bathroom aren’t a good place to keep your hearing aids
Advanced Hearing Aid Features Can Drain Batteries
Modern digital hearing aids help people hear so much better than ones that came out just a decade ago. But these extra features can cause batteries to run down faster if you’re not keeping an eye on them. 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. Your battery can be drained by any of the advanced functions, like Bluetooth, multichannel, noise cancellation, and tinnitus relief.
Altitude Changes Can Affect Batteries Too
Going from a low to high altitude can drain your batteries, specifically if they’re on their older. Take some extra batteries if you are going on a plane or high up into the mountains.
Maybe The Batteries Aren’t Really Low
Some hearing aids tell you when the battery is low. These alerts are, ordinarily, a “heads up”. It doesn’t mean you have a dead battery. Additionally, the charge can sometimes dip temporarily due to environmental or altitude changes and that can trigger a false low battery warning. In order to stop the alarm, take the batteries out, and then put them back in. You may be able to get several more hours or possibly even days out of that battery.
Handling Batteries Improperly
Wait until you’re about to use your hearing aid to pull the tab from the battery. Refrain from getting dirt and skin oil on your hearing aid by cleaning your hands before handling them. Hearing aid batteries should not be frozen. This strategy may extend the life of some types of battery but it doesn’t work with hearing aid batteries. Simple handling mistakes like these can make hearing aid batteries drain faster.
Getting a Year’s Supply of Batteries Isn’t a Very Good Plan
Buying in bulk is often a smart money move if you can afford to do it. But as you come to the end of the pack, the last few batteries most likely won’t be at full power. Unless you don’t mind wasting a few, try to stay with a six month supply.
Purchasing Hearing Aid Batteries on The Web
Shopping online can be a good thing. There are some really great deals out in cyberspace. But some less scrupulous people sell batteries on the internet that are very close to the expiration date. They might even be past their expiration date. So buyer beware.
There’s an expiration date on both alkaline and zinc batteries. You wouldn’t buy milk without checking the expiration. You should do that with batteries also. Make sure that the date is not close to the expiration so that you can get the most use out of the pack. If the website doesn’t mention an expiration date, message the vendor, or purchase batteries directly from us. Be sure you know and trust the seller.
Today You Can Get Rechargeable Hearing Aids
Hearing aids could drain too quickly for numerous reasons. But you can get more life out of your batteries by taking some precautions. If you’re in the market for a new set of hearing aids, you might decide on a rechargeable model. You dock them on a charger each night for a full charge the next day. And you only have to replace them every few years.