Do your hearing aid batteries seem to drain quicker than they ought to? Here are some surprising reasons that may happen.
So how far should the charge on my hearing aid battery go? From 3 to 7 days is the standard time-frame for charge to last.
That range is pretty wide. So wide, in fact, that it’s unpredictable and leaves you in a serious situation.
You might be on day 4 at the supermarket store. Suddenly, your sound cuts out. The cashier is talking to you but you don’t hear what they are saying.
Or it’s day 5. You’re appreciating a night out with friends. All of a sudden, you can’t follow the discussion and it’s leaving you feeling rather alone.
Maybe you go to your grandchild’s school to see a play. And the children’s singing goes quiet. But it’s only day 2. Yes, occasionally they even drain before the 3rd day.
It isn’t only inconvenient. You have no idea how much juice is left and it’s causing you to miss out on life.
If your hearing aid batteries drain too quickly, check out these seven possible causes.
Your Battery can be drained by moisture
Releasing moisture through our skin is one thing that humans do that the majority of other species don’t. It’s a cooling mechanism. You do it to get rid of extra sodium or toxins in the blood. Your battery could be subjected to even more moisture if you live in a humid or rainy setting.
The air vent in your device can become clogged by this extra moisture which can result in less efficient functionality. It can even interact with the chemicals that generate electricity causing it to drain even faster.
Here are a few steps you can take to prevent moisture-caused battery drain:
- Take the batteries out if you’re storing them for several days
- A dehumidifier is helpful
- Open the battery door before storing the hearing aids
- Store your hearing aids in a place where moisture is minimum
Sophisticated modern features are power intensive
Even a decade ago, hearing aids were much less helpful for individuals with hearing loss than current devices. But when these sophisticated functions are being used, they can be a drain on battery power.
That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use these amazing features. But be aware that the battery will die 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 more quickly.
Batteries can be impacted by altitude changes
Going from a low to high altitude can deplete your batteries, especially if they’re low already. Be certain that you bring some spares if you’re in the mountains or on an aircraft.
Perhaps the batteries aren’t really drained
Many hearing aids will warn you when the batteries need to be replaced. These warnings, as a general rule, aren’t telling you that your batteries are dead, they’re just a heads up. Additionally, you may get a warning when the charge drops because of an altitude or humidity change.
You can turn off the alarm by removing and resetting your hearing aid. You might be able to get several more hours or even days out of that battery.
Incorrect handling of batteries
Wait until it’s time to use the battery before you remove the protective tab. Always wash your hands before handling your hearing aids or batteries so you don’t get hand oil or dirt on them. Don’t ever freeze hearing aid batteries. It doesn’t extend their life as it might with other types of batteries.
Hearing aids will drain more quickly if you mishandle them in these ways.
Overstocking on batteries isn’t a good plan
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.
internet battery vendors
This isn’t a general criticism of buying stuff online. You can find lots of bargains. But some less honest individuals will sell batteries online 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. When you purchase milk, you wouldn’t forget to check the expiration date. You shouldn’t do that with batteries either. Be certain that the date is far enough in the future to get the most usage out of the pack.
If the website doesn’t state an expiration date, send the online vendor a message, or purchase batteries at a pharmacy or hearing aid store where you can see it on the packaging. Make sure you look for reviews to be certain you’re purchasing from a trustworthy source.
Hearing aid batteries drain quickly no longer
Hearing aid batteries might drain more quickly for numerous reasons. But you can get more energy from each battery by taking little precautions. And if you’re considering an upgrade, think about rechargeable hearing aids. You will get an entire day of power after each night of recharging. The rechargeable batteries only need to be replaced every few years.
