Having Trouble Keeping Your Hearing Aid Batteries Charged?

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

Does it seem as if your hearing aid batteries drain way too quickly? Here are some surprising reasons that could occur.What is the average period of time that your hearing aid batteries should stay charged? The ordinary hearing aid battery should last anywhere from 3 to 7 days. That range is fairly wide. So wide, actually, that it’s unpredictable and puts you in a challenging predicament. You might be on day 4 at the grocery store when all of a sudden, things get quiet and you can’t hear the cashier. Or perhaps on day 5, you’re having an enjoyable conversation with friends when you suddenly feel very alone because you can’t participate because you can’t hear. Now, you’re watching TV. All of a sudden you can’t hear the news. Wait, it’s only day 2. Yes, occasionally they even drain before that 3-day mark. It isn’t just annoying. You just can’t tell how much battery power you have left in your hearing aids and it’s causing you to miss out on life. If your hearing aid batteries are dying too fast, there are several likely causes.

A Battery Can be Depleted by Moisture

There aren’t many species that produce moisture through their skin but humans do. We do it to cool down. It’s the body’s way of purging the blood of toxins and sodium. You might also live in a climate that’s humid and moist. The air vent in your hearing aid can get clogged by this added moisture and it will be less reliable. Moisture can also interact with the chemicals of the battery causing it to drain faster. Here are a few measures you can take to prevent moisture-caused battery drain:

  • A dehumidifier for your hearing aid is recommended
  • Don’t keep your hearing aids in the bathroom, kitchen or other moist conditions
  • Don’t leave the batteries in when you’re storing them for several days
  • When you store your hearing aids, open the battery door

Batteries Can be Depleted by Advanced Hearing Aid Features

You get a much better hearing aid now than you did even 10 years ago. But if you’re not keeping your eye on them, these advanced features can cause faster battery drain. You can still use your favorite features. But bear in mind, you will have to change the battery sooner if you are streaming music from your phone all day. Your battery can be depleted by any of the advanced features, like Bluetooth, multichannel, noise cancellation, and tinnitus relief.

Altitude Changes Can Affect Batteries Too

Your batteries can be drained if you go from low to high altitudes specifically if they are already low on juice. When skiing, flying or climbing always brings some extra batteries.

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

Some hearing aids tell you when the battery is low. These warnings are, under normal circumstances, a “heads up”. It doesn’t mean you have a dead battery. Additionally, the charge can sometimes drop temporarily due to environmental or altitude changes and that can activate a false low battery warning. In order to end the alarm, take the batteries out, and then put them back in. The battery might 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. Make sure you wash your hands before touching your hearing aids or batteries to protect against getting hand oil or dirt on them. Hearing aid batteries should not be frozen. This technique may extend the life of some types of battery but it doesn’t work with hearing aid batteries. Hearing aid batteries might lose battery power quicker if you make these simple handling errors.

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

Buying in bulk is usually a smart money move if you can afford to do it. But as you come to the end of the pack, the last several batteries probably won’t last as long. Unless you don’t mind wasting a few, try to stay with a six month supply.

Shopping For Hearing Aid Batteries on The Web

It’s not an over-all criticism of buying things online. You can get some good deals. But some less honest people sell batteries online that are very close to the expiration date. They might even be beyond their expiration date. So you need to be cautious.
There’s an expiration date on both alkaline and zinc batteries. You shouldn’t buy milk without checking the expiration date. You have to use the same amount of care with batteries. If you want to get the most from your pack, make 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 from us. Only buy batteries from reputable sources.

Now You Can Get Rechargeable Hearing Aids

Hearing aids might drain too quickly for several reasons. But by taking little precautions you can get more life from each battery. If you’re in the market for a new set of hearing aids, you might consider a rechargeable model. You dock them on a charger every night for a full charge the next day. And you only need to change them 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.