This is Why Hearing Aid Batteries Drain so Fast

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 like your hearing aid batteries drain way too quickly? There are numerous reasons why this might be taking place that might be surprising.

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

That range is pretty wide. So wide, in fact, that it’s unpredictable and leaves you in a serious predicament.

You could be on day 4 at the supermarket store. Unexpectedly, things get quiet. You don’t hear the cashier.

Or it’s day 5. You’re appreciating a night out with friends. Suddenly, you find yourself feeling really alone because you can no longer follow what your friends are saying.

Now, you’re attending your grandchild’s school play. And the kid’s singing disappears. But it’s only day 2. Yes, sometimes they even die before that 3-day mark.

It’s not only inconvenient. You have no clue how much power 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.

Your Battery can be killed by moisture

Did you know that humans are one of the few species that discharge moisture through their skin? You do it to cool down. It also helps clear the blood of excess toxins and sodium. Your battery may be subjected to even more moisture if you live in a humid or rainy place.

This extra moisture can clog up the air vent in your device, affecting the hearing aid’s efficiency. It can even interact with the chemicals that generate electricity causing it to drain even faster.

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

  • Open the battery door before storing the hearing aids
  • Keep your hearing aids in a place where moisture is minimum
  • If you’re storing your hearing aids for an extended time period, remove the batteries
  • Use a dehumidifier

State-of-the-art hearing aid functions can run down batteries

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

Don’t stop using your favorite features. But be aware that the battery will die faster if you spend all day streaming music from your phone to your hearing aids.

All these extra functions, like Bluetooth, tinnitus relief, or multichannel, can drain the battery faster.

Altitude changes can affect batteries as well

Your batteries can be quickly depleted when you have a rapid climb in altitude, and if they’re already low this is particularly true. Make sure you bring some spares if you are in the mountains or on an aircraft.

Is the battery really drained?

Some hearing aids let you know when the battery is low. These warnings, as a general rule, aren’t telling you that your batteries are dead, they’re just a heads up. In addition, you may get a warning when the charge takes a dip because of an altitude or humidity change.

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

Improper handling of batteries

Wait until you’re ready to use the battery before you remove the protective tab. Hand oil or dirt can be an issue for batteries so wash up before handling them. Never freeze hearing aid batteries. It doesn’t increase their life as it might with other types of batteries.

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

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

Buying in bulk is usually a smart money choice when you can afford to do it. But as you get toward the end of the pack, the last few batteries most likely won’t last as long. It can be a waste to purchase any more than 6 months worth.

Online battery vendors

This isn’t a broad critique of buying things on the internet. You can find a lot of bargains. But some less scrupulous individuals will sell batteries on the internet that are very near to the expiration date. Or worse, it has already passed.

Most types of batteries, including hearing aid batteries, have expiration dates. When you purchase milk, you wouldn’t forget to look at the expiration date. The same goes with batteries. Be certain that the date is well in the future to get the most usage out of the pack.

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

The batteries in hearing aids no longer drain quickly

Hearing aid batteries might drain faster for several reasons. But you can get more power from each battery by taking small precautions. And if you’re considering an upgrade, consider rechargeable hearing aids. You put these hearing aids on a charger each night for an entire day of hearing tomorrow. The rechargeable batteries only have to be swapped out 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.