Does it seem as if your hearing aid batteries drain way too fast? The reasons for this can be sometimes surprising. How long should hearing aid batteries last? Anywhere from 3 to 7 days is normal. That range is pretty wide. In fact, it’s so wide that it probably won’t help you predict what should be going on with your hearing aid. You could be on day 4 at the grocery store when unexpectedly, things get quiet and you can’t hear the cashier. Or it’s day 5 and you’re having a call with friends when suddenly you find yourself feeling really 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’s not just annoying. You’re missing out on life because you’re not sure how much battery power you have left in your hearing aids. If your hearing aid batteries are draining too quickly, there are a small number of likely causes.
A Battery Can be Depleted by Moisture
There aren’t very many species that produce moisture through their skin but humans do. We do it to cool off. We do it to get rid of excess toxins or sodium in the blood. Moreover, you may live in a rainy or humid climate where things are even more moist. The air vent in your hearing aid can get clogged by this extra moisture and it will be less efficient. It can even deplete the battery directly by interacting with the chemicals which generate electricity. You can avoid moisture-related battery drainage with these measures:
- Don’t keep your hearing aids in the bathroom, kitchen or other moist environments
- Get a dehumidifier for your hearing aids
- Before you store your hearing aids, open the battery door
- if your storing them for several days or more, remove the batteries
Advanced Hearing Aid Features Can Run Down Batteries
You get a much better hearing aid now than you did even ten years ago. But these extra features can cause batteries to drain faster if you’re not keeping an eye on them. You can still use your favorite features. But keep in mind, you will need to switch out the battery sooner if you are streaming music from your phone for hours. Bluetooth, multichannel, tinnitus relief, noise canceling — all of these additional features can drain your battery.
Batteries Can be Affected by Altitude Changes
Your batteries can be sapped out if you go from low to high altitudes especially if they are already low on juice. When flying, skiing or climbing always takes some spare batteries.
Are The Batteries Really Low?
Some models will give you a warning when the battery begins to get too low. These warnings are, ordinarily, a “heads up”. They’re not telling you the battery is depleted. Also, the charge can occasionally drop temporarily due to environmental or altitude changes and that can activate a false low battery warning. Take the hearing aids out and reset them to end the alarm. The battery may last a few more hours or even days.
Handling Batteries Improperly
Wait until you’re ready to use your hearing aid to pull the tab from the battery. Steer clear of getting dirt and skin oil on your hearing aid by washing your hands before touching them. Hearing aid batteries should never be frozen. This trick might increase the life of some types of battery but it doesn’t work with hearing aid batteries. Hearing aid batteries might lose battery power faster if you make these basic handling errors.
Purchasing a Year’s Supply of Batteries Isn’t a Very Good Idea
When you can afford to do it, purchasing in bulk can be a smart plan. But as you get toward the end of the pack, the last several batteries most likely won’t last as long. Try to stay with a 6-month supply or less unless you’re okay with wasting a few.
Shopping For Hearing Aid Batteries on The Web
This isn’t a broad criticism of buying stuff on the internet. You can get some great deals. But some batteries that are available on the internet are being sold by less honest individuals and are close to their expiration date. Or even worse, they are already passed. So you need to be careful.
There’s an expiration date on both zinc and alkaline batteries. You shouldn’t buy milk without looking at the expiration. You need to use the same amount of care with batteries. If you want to get the most from your pack, be sure the date is well in the future. If the website doesn’t mention an expiration date, send the online vendor a message, or purchase batteries directly from us. Be sure you know and trust the seller.
Modern Hearing Aids Are Rechargeable
There are a number of reasons that hearing batteries may drain rapidly. But you can get more power from your batteries by taking some precautions. You may also think about rechargeable hearing aids if you’re going to buy a new set. If you charge them while you sleep, you get a full day of hearing the next day. The rechargeable batteries only need to be changed every few years.