Do you feel as if your hearing aid batteries won’t keep a charge as long as they should? Here are a few surprising reasons that might occur.How long should hearing aid batteries keep a charge? Anywhere from 3 to 7 days is normal. That range is pretty wide. In fact, it’s so wide that it probably can’t help you predict what should be taking place with your hearing aid. You may be on day 4 at the grocery store when all of a sudden, things go quiet and you’re unable to hear the cashier. Or maybe on day 5, you’re having an enjoyable conversation with friends when you unexpectedly feel really alone because you can’t hear what anyone is saying. 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 not just annoying. You simply can’t tell how much battery power your hearing aids have left and it’s causing you to miss out on life. Here are the likely culprits if your hearing aid batteries drain too soon.
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 off. We do it to clear out excess sodium or toxins in the blood. You might also live in a climate that is humid and moist. This extra moisture can clog the air vent in your device, making it less efficient. It can even drain the battery directly by interacting with the chemicals that produce electricity. You can prevent moisture-related battery drainage with these measures:
- if your storing them for a few days or more, remove the batteries
- Open the battery door when you store the hearing aids
- Don’t keep your hearing aids in the bathroom, kitchen or other damp environments
- Obtain a dehumidifier for your hearing aids
Batteries Can be Depleted by Advanced Hearing Aid Features
You get a much better hearing aid today than you did even a decade ago. But if you’re not paying attention, these advanced functions can cause faster battery drain. You can still use your favorite features. But be aware that if you stream music for hours from your mobile device to your hearing aids, you’ll have to replace the battery sooner. Noise-canceling, Bluetooth, multichannel, tinnitus relief — all of these extra functions can drain your battery.
Altitude Changes Can Affect Batteries Too
Your batteries can be drained if you go from low to high altitudes particularly if they are already low on juice. When skiing, flying or climbing always brings some extra batteries.
It’s Possible That The Batteries Aren’t 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”. It doesn’t mean you have a depleted battery. Furthermore, the charge can at times drop briefly due to altitude or environmental changes and that can activate a false low battery warning. Remove the hearing aids and reset them to end the alarm. You may be able to get a few more hours or even days of battery life.
Improper Handling of Batteries
You should not take out the little tab from the battery until you’re ready to use it. Steer clear of getting dirt and skin oil on your hearing aid by cleansing your hands before handling them. Don’t ever freeze hearing aid batteries. This strategy might increase the life of some kinds of battery but it doesn’t work with hearing aid batteries. Hearing aid batteries may lose battery power faster if you make these simple handling errors.
Getting a Year’s Supply of Batteries Isn’t a Very Good Idea
Buying in bulk is typically a smart money move when you can afford to do it. But as you come to the end of the pack, the last few batteries likely won’t last as long. Try to stay with a 6-month supply or less unless you’re fine with wasting a few.
Shopping For Hearing Aid Batteries Online
Buying from the web can be a good thing. You can get some great deals. But some less honest people will sell batteries online that are very close to the expiration date. They may even be beyond their expiration date. So you need to be cautious.
There’s an expiration date on both alkaline and zinc batteries. If you were going to buy milk, you would check the expiration date. You should use the same amount of caution with batteries. If you want 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, message the vendor, or buy batteries from us. Make sure you know and trust the seller.
Now You Can Get Rechargeable Hearing Aids
Hearing aids may drain too quickly for several reasons. But by taking some precautions you can get more life out of each battery. If you’re looking to buy a new set of hearing aids, you might decide on a rechargeable model. If you charge them while you sleep, you get a full day of power the next day. The rechargeable batteries only need to be changed every few years.
