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

Does it seem as if your hearing aid batteries drain way too fast? Here are a few unexpected reasons that might occur.

So how long should the charge on my hearing aid battery go? The standard hearing aid battery lasts anywhere from 3 to 7 days.

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

You could be on day 4 at the supermarket store. Suddenly, your sound cuts out. You can’t hear the cashier.

Or it’s day 5. You’re enjoying a night out with friends. All of a sudden, you can’t hear the conversation and it’s leaving you feeling rather alone.

Maybe you go to your grandchild’s school to watch a play. And the children’s singing goes quiet. But it’s only day 2. Yes, sometimes they even die before the 3rd day.

It’s more than inconvenient. You’re losing out on life because you don’t know how much juice is left in your hearing aids.

If your hearing aid batteries die too quickly, check out these seven possible causes.

Moisture can drain a battery

Did you know that human beings are one of the few species that release moisture through their skin? You do it to cool down. You do it to eliminate excess sodium or toxins in the blood. On top of this, you may live in a humid or rainy climate where things get even wetter.

This extra moisture can clog up the air vent in your device, affecting the hearing aid’s efficiency. It can even drain the battery directly by interacting with the chemicals that generate electricity.

Here are a few steps you can take to avoid moisture-caused battery drain:

  • Open the battery door before storing the hearing aids
  • Take the batteries out if you’re storing them for several days
  • A dehumidifier is helpful
  • Store your hearing aids in a spot where moisture is minimum

Sophisticated modern features are power intensive

Current digital hearing aids help individuals hear so much better than ones that came out only 10 years ago. But these added features can cause batteries to drain more quickly if you’re not watching.

Don’t quit using your favorite features. But just know that if you stream music for hours from your smartphone to your hearing aids, you’ll need to replace the battery sooner.

Noise-canceling, Bluetooth, multichannel, tinnitus relief — all of these extra features can drain your battery.

Batteries can be affected by altitude changes

Going from a low to high altitude can sap your batteries, especially if they’re low already. When flying, climbing, or skiing remember to bring some spares.

Perhaps the batteries aren’t really drained

Some hearing aids let you know when the battery is low. As a general rule, these alerts are giving you a “heads up”. They’re not telling you the battery is dead. In addition, you may get a warning when the charge takes a dip due to an altitude or humidity change.

Take the hearing aids out and reset them to stop the alarm. There could be hours or even days of power left.

Handling the batteries incorrectly

Wait until it’s time 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. Never freeze hearing aid batteries. This might 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.

Overstocking on batteries isn’t a good plan

It’s usually a wise financial choice 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

This isn’t a broad criticism of buying things on the internet. You can get some great deals. But some less honest individuals will sell batteries online that are very close to the expiration date. Or 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 date it expires. You shouldn’t forget to check the date on batteries either. In order to get the most from 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 on the internet be sure the vendor states when the batteries will expire. Only purchase batteries from trustworthy sources.

Hearing aid batteries drain quickly no longer

There are several reasons that hearing aid batteries could drain quickly. But you can get more power from each battery by taking little precautions. You might also think about rechargeable hearing aids if you’re shopping for a new pair. You will get a full day of power after every night of recharging. The rechargeable batteries only have to be replaced 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.
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