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 quickly? There are several reasons why this might be taking place that may be surprising.

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

That range is pretty wide. But it’s so wide that it’s unpredictable and might leave you in a bind.

You might be on day 4 at the grocery store. Unexpectedly, your sound cuts out. You can’t hear the cashier.

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

Perhaps you go to your grandchild’s school to watch a play. You can no longer hear the children singing. Wait, it’s only day 2. Yes, they even sometimes die after a couple of days.

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

Here are 7 likely causes if your hearing aid batteries die quickly.

Moisture can kill 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. It also cleans the blood of excess toxins and sodium. Your battery could be exposed to even more moisture if you live in a humid or rainy place.

The air vent in your device can get clogged by this excess moisture which can cause less efficient performance. It can even drain the battery directly by interacting with the chemicals that make electricity.

Prevent battery drain related to moisture using these steps:

  • Open up the battery door before storing the hearing aids
  • Get a dehumidifier
  • If you’re storing your hearing aids for a prolonged period of time, remove the batteries
  • Don’t store your hearing aids in the bathroom or kitchen

Sophisticated modern features are power intensive

Even 10 years ago, hearing aids were much less helpful for individuals with hearing loss than current devices. But these added features can cause batteries to drain more quickly if you’re not paying attention.

That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use these amazing features. But be aware that the battery will drain faster if you spend all day streaming music from your cellphone to your hearing aids.

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

Altitude changes can affect batteries as well

Going from a low to high altitude can drain your batteries, particularly if they’re on their last leg. Make sure you bring some spares if you’re in the mountains or on a plane.

Maybe the batteries aren’t really drained

Some hearing aids tell you when the battery is getting low. These warnings, as a general rule, aren’t telling you that your batteries are dead, they’re just a heads up. On top of this, sometimes an environmental change in humidity or altitude briefly causes the charge to drop and the low battery alarm will sound.

You can stop the alarm by removing and resetting your hearing aid. There could be hours or even days of juice left.

Incorrect handling of batteries

You shouldn’t remove the little tab from the battery if you’re not ready to use it. 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. This might extend the life of other batteries but that’s not the case with hearing aid batteries.

Basic handling errors like these can make hearing aid batteries drain faster.

Purchasing a year’s supply of batteries isn’t a great idea

It’s usually a practical financial choice to buy in bulk. But as you get toward the end of the pack, the last few batteries likely won’t last as long. It can be a waste to purchase any more than a 6 month supply.

Buying hearing aid batteries online

This isn’t a broad critique of buying stuff online. You can find a lot of bargains. But some less scrupulous people will sell batteries on the internet that are very close to the expiration date. Or even worse, it has already gone by.

Both alkaline (AA, AAA, etc.) and zinc hearing aid batteries have an expiration date. When you purchase milk, you wouldn’t forget to look at the date it expires. You shouldn’t forget to check the date on batteries either. If you want to get the most out of your battery, be certain the date is well into the future.

If the website doesn’t declare an expiration date, message the seller, or buy batteries at a pharmacy or hearing aid center where you can see it on the packaging. Only purchase batteries from reliable sources.

Hearing aid batteries drain quickly no more

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 consider rechargeable hearing aids if you’re in the market for a new set. You will get an entire day of power after every night of recharging. The rechargeable batteries only have to be swapped out 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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