Hearing Aid Batteries Drain Quickly Because of This

Button battery for hearing aids on the brown wooden table. The object is on the left. The batteries are stacked in a triangle.

Do your hearing aid batteries seem to die quicker than they should? There are numerous reasons why this may be taking place that might be unexpected.

How long should hearing aid batteries last? From 3 to 7 days is the standard amount of time for charge to last.

That’s a very wide range. But it’s so wide that it’s unpredictable and might leave you in trouble.

You may be at the store on day 4. All of a sudden, you can’t hear anything. The cashier is talking to you but you can’t hear what they are saying.

Or it’s day 5. You’re enjoying a night out with friends. Suddenly, you find yourself feeling very alone because you can no longer follow the conversation.

Maybe you go to your grandchild’s school to see a play. You can no longer hear the kids singing. Wait, it’s only day 2. Yes, occasionally they even die before that 3-day mark.

It isn’t just 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.

Moisture can drain a battery

Producing moisture through our skin is one thing that human beings do that most other species don’t. You do it to cool down. You do it to remove extra sodium or toxins in the blood. In addition, you may live in a rainy humid environment where things get even wetter.

The air vent in your device can become clogged by this excess moisture which can result in less efficient performance. It can even interact with the chemicals that generate electricity causing it to drain even faster.

Prevent battery drain caused by moisture using these steps:

  • Store your hearing aids in a spot where moisture is at a minimum
  • Don’t leave the batteries in if you’re storing them for a few days
  • Open up the battery door before storing the hearing aids
  • A dehumidifier can be helpful

Advanced modern features are power intensive

Even a decade ago, hearing aids were much less helpful for people with hearing loss than modern devices. But when these sophisticated features are in use, they can be a drain on battery power.

Don’t stop using your favorite 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 extra features, 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. Be certain that you bring some spares if you are in the mountains or on an aircraft.

Is the battery really drained?

Many hearing aids will warn you when the batteries need to be replaced. These warnings, generally speaking, aren’t telling you that your batteries are dead, they’re simply a heads up. Additionally, you may get a warning when the charge takes a dip due to an altitude or humidity change.

Take out the hearing aids and reset them to stop the alarm. You may be able to get several more hours or even days out of that battery.

Improper handling of batteries

You should never remove the little tab from the battery before you’re ready to use it. Make sure you wash your hands before handling your hearing aids or batteries so you don’t get hand oil or dirt on them. Never freeze hearing aid batteries. This may extend the life of other batteries but that’s not the case with hearing aid batteries.

Hearing aids will drain more quickly if you mishandle them in these ways.

Overstocking on batteries isn’t a good plan

It’s usually a practical financial decision to purchase in bulk. But you can expect that the last few batteries in the pack won’t last as long. It can be a waste to buy any more than a 6 month supply.

Buying hearing aid batteries from the internet

We’re not suggesting it’s automatically a bad idea to buy things online. You can get some really good deals. But some less scrupulous individuals will sell batteries on the internet that are very near to the expiration date. Or even worse, it has already passed.

Both alkaline (AA, AAA, etc.) and zinc hearing aid batteries have expiration dates. When you buy milk, you wouldn’t forget to look at the expiration date. The same goes with batteries. In order to get the most out of your battery, be certain the date is well into the future.

If you buy your batteries at a hearing aid center or pharmacy, the expiration date will be on the labeling, but if you’re going to shop online make sure the vendor states when the batteries will expire. Only purchase batteries from reliable sources.

Hearing aid batteries drain quickly no more

There are several reasons that hearing aid batteries might drain quickly. But you can get more power from each battery by taking little precautions. You may also consider rechargeable hearing aids if you’re in the market for a new set. You dock these hearing aids on a charger each night for an entire day of hearing tomorrow. The rechargeable batteries only need to be replaced every few years.

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.

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