Do your hearing aid batteries seem to die faster than they should? There are several reasons why this might be happening that might be surprising.
How long should hearing aid batteries last? The standard hearing aid battery lasts anywhere between 3 and 7 days.
That’s a very wide range. So wide, in fact, that it’s unpredictable and leaves you in a serious predicament.
You could be on day 4 at the supermarket store. Unexpectedly, your sound cuts out. The cashier is talking to you but you can’t hear what they are saying.
Or, you’re out for dinner with friends on day 5. All of a sudden, you can’t hear the discussion and it’s leaving you feeling rather alone.
Now, you’re attending your grandson’s school play. You can no longer hear the children singing. But it’s only day 2. Yes, sometimes they even die before the 3rd day.
It’s more than inconvenient. You have no idea how much power is left and it’s causing you to miss out on life.
If your hearing aid batteries die too quickly, look to these seven possible causes.
Your Battery can be drained by moisture
Producing moisture through our skin is one thing that human beings do that most other species don’t. It’s a cooling mechanism. It also helps clear the blood of excess toxins and sodium. On top of this, you might live in a humid or rainy environment where things get even wetter.
This extra moisture can clog the air vent in your device, affecting the hearing aid’s efficiency. It can even kill the battery directly by interacting with the chemicals that generate electricity.
Prevent battery drain caused by moisture with these steps:
- Take the batteries out if you’re storing them for a few days
- Store your hearing aids in a spot where moisture is minimum
- Before you go to bed, open the battery door
- A dehumidifier can be helpful
Advanced hearing aid functions can drain batteries
Modern digital hearing aids help people hear so much better than ones that came out only a decade ago. But when these advanced features are being used, they can be a draw on battery power.
That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use these amazing features. But be aware that the battery will drain faster if you spend hours streaming music from your cellphone to your hearing aids.
All these added functions, like Bluetooth, tinnitus relief, or multichannel, can drain the battery faster.
Batteries can be impacted by altitude changes
Your batteries can be quickly depleted when you have a quick climb in altitude, and if they’re already low this is especially true. When flying, climbing, or skiing always takes some spares.
Perhaps the batteries aren’t actually drained
Many hearing aids will warn you when the batteries need to be changed. These warnings, generally speaking, aren’t telling you that your batteries are dead, they’re simply a heads up. In addition, 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 juice left.
Handling the batteries improperly
Wait until you’re ready to use the battery before you pull off the protective tab. Hand oil or dirt can be an issue for batteries so wash up before handling them. Keep your batteries away from the freezer. This may extend the life of other batteries but it doesn’t work with hearing aid batteries.
Hearing aids will drain faster if you mishandle them in these ways.
Purchasing a year’s supply of batteries isn’t a good idea
Buying in bulk is usually a smart money decision when you can afford to do it. But as you get toward the end of the pack, the last several batteries likely won’t last as long. It can be a waste to purchase any more than 6 months worth.
Buying hearing aid batteries from the internet
We’re not suggesting it’s necessarily a bad idea to buy things on the internet. You can get some really good deals. But some less scrupulous people will sell batteries on the internet that are very near to the expiration date. Or even worse, it has already gone by.
Both alkaline (AA, AAA, etc.) and zinc hearing aid batteries have expiration dates. You wouldn’t buy milk without looking at the expiration. You shouldn’t forget to check the date on batteries either. Make sure that the date is far enough in the future to get the most use out of the pack.
If you buy your batteries at a hearing aid store or pharmacy, the expiration date will be on the labeling, but if you’re going to shop online be sure the vendor specifies when the batteries will expire. Make sure you check reviews to be certain you’re purchasing from a trustworthy source.
Hearing aid batteries drain quickly no longer
There are numerous reasons that hearing aid batteries could drain quickly. But by taking small precautions you can get more power from each battery. You may also think about rechargeable hearing aids if you’re shopping for a new set. You put these hearing aids on a charger every night for an entire day of hearing tomorrow. Every few years, you will have to replace the rechargeable batteries.