Man touching hearing aids that stopped working because the batteries drained.

Does it seem like your hearing aid batteries lose their charge too fast? Here are a few surprising reasons that might occur.What is the average period of time that your hearing aid batteries should stay charged? Anywhere from 3 to 7 days is typical. That range is pretty wide. As a matter of fact, it’s so wide that it probably doesn’t help you predict what should be happening with your hearing aid. Things might suddenly go quiet when you’re trying to hear the cashier at the supermarket after 4 days of battery power. Or it’s day 5 and you’re enjoying a call with friends when all of a sudden you find yourself feeling very alone because you can no longer follow the conversation. Now, you’re watching the TV. You can no longer hear the news. Wait, it’s only day 2. Yes, sometimes they even drain before that 3-day mark. It’s not just inconvenient. You’re missing out on life because you’re not sure how much battery power you have left in your hearing aids. Here are the likely culprits if your hearing aid batteries die too soon.

Moisture Can Deplete a Battery

There aren’t very many species that produce moisture through their skin but humans do. It’s a cooling mechanism. We do it to clear out excess toxins or sodium in the blood. In addition, you may live in a humid or rainy climate where things are even wetter. This excess 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 which create electricity. Here are some steps you can take to avoid moisture-caused battery drain:

  • Get a dehumidifier for your hearing aids
  • When you store your hearing aids, open the battery door
  • if your storing them for several days or more, remove the batteries
  • Don’t keep your hearing aids in the bathroom, kitchen or other damp environments

Advanced Hearing Aid Functions Can Deplete Batteries

Advanced digital hearing aids help people hear a lot better than ones that came out just ten years ago. But if you’re not keeping your eye on them, these advanced functions can cause faster battery drain. Don’t stop using your favorite features. But be aware that if you stream music for hours from your smartphone to your hearing aids, you’ll need to change the battery sooner. Your battery can be drained by any of the advanced functions, like Bluetooth, multichannel, noise cancellation, and tinnitus relief.

Altitude Changes Can Impact Batteries Too

Going from a low to high altitude can drain your batteries, especially if they’re on their older. Bring some spare batteries if you are going on a plane or high up into the mountains.

It’s Possible That The Batteries Aren’t Really Low

Some hearing aids let you know when the battery is low. These alerts are, under normal circumstances, a “heads up”. It doesn’t mean you have a dead battery. Moreover, sometimes an environmental change in humidity or altitude briefly causes the charge to dip and the low battery alarm gets triggered. In order to stop the alarm, remove the batteries, and then put them back in. The battery may last a few more hours or even days.

Improper Handling of Batteries

You should not take out the little tab from the battery before you’re ready to use it. Make sure you wash your hands before touching your hearing aids or batteries to avoid getting dirt or hand oil on them. Never freeze hearing aid batteries. It doesn’t lengthen their life as it might with other types of batteries. Hearing aid batteries might lose battery power quicker if you make these basic handling errors.

Purchasing a Year’s Supply of Batteries Isn’t a Good Plan

If you can afford to do it, purchasing in bulk can be a smart idea. But the last few batteries in the pack probably won’t have full power. Try to stay with a 6-month supply or less unless you’re okay with wasting a few.

Buying Hearing Aid Batteries on The Web

Buying from the web can be a good thing. There are some really great deals out in cyberspace. But some batteries that you can find online are being sold by less honest individuals and are close to their expiration date. They might even be beyond their expiration date. So you need to be careful.
There’s an expiration date on both zinc and alkaline batteries. If you were going to buy milk, you would look at the expiration date. You have to use the same amount of caution with batteries. If you want to get the most from your pack, be certain the date is well in the future. If the website doesn’t mention an expiration date, send the online vendor a message, or buy batteries from us. Be sure you know and trust the seller.

Today You Can Get Rechargeable Hearing Aids

Hearing aids may drain too quickly for numerous reasons. But by taking little precautions you can get more life out of each battery. You may also consider rechargeable hearing aids if you’re in the market for a new set. You dock them on a charger each night for a full charge the next day. And you only have to change them every few years.

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The site information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. To receive personalized advice or treatment, schedule an appointment.