How to Maintain Hearing Aid Battery Life in Cold Weather

Cold weather can affect how well your electronic devices work, and hearing aids are no exception. Just like your phone battery might drain faster in chilly temperatures, hearing aid batteries can face similar challenges during the winter months.

You count on your hearing aids throughout your day – from morning conversations with family to evening activities with friends. When battery life becomes unpredictable due to cold weather, it can interrupt these important daily connections.

While we often remember to protect ourselves from cold temperatures by wearing warmer clothes, we might not think about how the weather affects our hearing devices. Yet keeping your hearing aid batteries working properly in cold conditions is just as important as staying warm yourself.

Battery Basics

Hearing aids are typically equipped with zinc-air batteries, which means they use oxygen from the air to produce power. When you remove the tab on a new battery, air enters through tiny holes activating the zinc and powering your device.

Hearing aid batteries come in four common sizes – 10 (yellow), 312 (brown), 13 (orange) and 675 (blue). Each size is color-coded for easy identification and has different lifespan expectations. Typically, smaller batteries have shorter lifespans due to their limited capacity.

How Do Hearing Aids Work?

Hearing aids work by amplifying sound to make it easier for individuals with hearing loss to hear and understand their surroundings. The process begins with a small microphone that picks up sounds from the environment. These sounds are then converted into digital signals by a tiny computer chip inside the hearing aid. The chip processes the signals, amplifying certain sounds based on the user’s specific hearing needs. Finally, the processed sound is delivered to the ear through a speaker, allowing the user to hear more clearly.

Hearing aids are powered by batteries, which provide the energy needed to run the microphone, chip and speaker. Some hearing aids use disposable zinc-air batteries that are activated by air when a tab is removed, while others use rechargeable batteries that are built into the device. These batteries supply consistent power to ensure the hearing aid functions properly throughout the day. Without a reliable power source, the hearing aid cannot process or amplify sound, making batteries a crucial component of how hearing aids operate.

How Does the Cold Weather Impact Battery Performance?

When temperatures drop, it can affect your hearing aid batteries in two main ways. First, the cold can slow down the chemical reaction inside the battery that produces power. This slowdown might result in decreased performance or even cause your hearing aids to stop working temporarily. Second, lower temperatures can make battery material contract or shrink slightly. This contraction might disrupt the connection between your battery and hearing aid, leading to intermittent or inconsistent operation.

Just as you might feel sluggish in the cold, batteries can also experience a slowdown in their chemical reactions when the mercury dips. This is because batteries generate power through these reactions and when they slow down due to the cold, it may seem like your battery is draining faster than usual.

Cold temperatures can also cause physical changes to your hearing aid batteries. The materials inside them can contract or shrink slightly in low temperatures. This tiny change might be enough to disrupt the connection between your battery and hearing aid, causing it to function inconsistently or even stop working temporarily.

Recognizing Weather-Related Battery Issues

While understanding the effects of cold weather on your hearing aid batteries is important, it’s equally essential to recognize signs of battery drain in chilly conditions. Cold temperatures can make it seem like your batteries are draining faster than they usually do. So, how do you detect this?

A noticeable decrease in performance is one sign that your hearing aid batteries might be affected by the cold. If you find yourself needing to turn up the volume more often or if your device doesn’t work as well as it usually does, it could mean that your battery is struggling to provide enough power.

Another sign could be inconsistency in operation. If your hearing aids are working fine one moment and then suddenly stop or start working intermittently, it might indicate a problem with the battery connection due to contraction from cold temperatures.

How Can You Combat These Effects?

Winter temperatures can take a toll on hearing aid batteries, but with the right steps, you can minimize their impact and ensure your devices perform reliably. Cold weather slows the chemical reactions inside batteries, which can cause them to drain faster or lose power unexpectedly. To combat this, it’s essential to keep your batteries warm. Store spare batteries in an inside coat pocket, close to your body, rather than in an outer pocket or bag where they’re more exposed to the cold. If you use disposable zinc-air batteries, let them sit for a few minutes after removing the protective tab to allow proper activation, as cold temperatures can slow the process.

Condensation is another common issue during winter, as moving from cold outdoor air to warm indoor spaces can cause moisture to build up inside your hearing aids. This moisture can interfere with battery connections and performance. Using a hearing aid dehumidifier or drying kit overnight helps remove excess moisture and protects both the batteries and your devices. If you’re frequently dealing with issues caused by the cold, switching to rechargeable hearing aids can be a great solution. Rechargeable batteries are less affected by extreme temperatures and don’t require constant replacements, making them especially convenient during winter.

Regardless of the type of batteries you use, always carry spares in case of unexpected drainage. Be sure to check the expiration dates on disposable batteries and store them in a warm, dry place to extend their lifespan. Additionally, wearing a hat, headband or earmuffs can help protect your hearing aids from the cold and maintain consistent battery performance.

Winter Hearing Aid Mistakes to Avoid

Many people mistakenly store their hearing aids and batteries in cold places like car glove compartments or by windowsills. This exposure to low temperatures can result in the issues we discussed earlier – slower chemical reactions leading to decreased performance, and material contraction disrupting battery connections. To avoid this problem, always keep your hearing aids and spare batteries in a warm place when not in use.

Secondly, it’s not uncommon for individuals to forget about humidity changes that come with winter weather. Indoor heating systems often create dry conditions which can cause moisture loss from your hearing aid batteries, further reducing their efficiency. To combat this issue, consider using a dehumidifier or drying container designed for hearing aids.
By avoiding these two common mistakes with your hearing aid batteries during winter months, you’ll be better prepared to maintain optimal performance from your device throughout the season.

Tips for Storing Your Hearing Aid Batteries in the Winter

Proper storage not only ensures optimal performance but also extends the overall lifespan of your batteries. When it comes to storing your hearing aid batteries in winter, a few simple steps can make a significant difference, including:

• Always store your hearing aid batteries at room temperature. Avoid places that are exposed to extreme cold or heat.
• Keep your batteries away from metal objects like coins or keys as they can cause short-circuiting.
• When not in use, keep your hearing aids and their batteries in a dry place. A dehumidifier or drying container can be particularly useful during winter months when indoor heating systems often create dry conditions.

Establishing a Cleaning Routine

Developing a regular hearing aid maintenance schedule at home is essential for keeping your devices in optimal condition and ensuring they work reliably every day. A consistent routine helps prevent common issues caused by earwax, moisture and general wear, allowing you to get the most out of your hearing aids. Start by setting aside time each evening to clean your devices. Use a soft, dry cloth to wipe away any dirt, sweat or residue from the outer surfaces. Check the microphone openings and receivers for debris, and gently remove any buildup using a cleaning brush or wax pick.

Moisture management should also be part of your maintenance routine. If you live in a humid area or frequently experience condensation, using a hearing aid dehumidifier or drying kit overnight can help remove moisture and protect the internal components of your hearing aids. Additionally, inspect your batteries daily, ensuring they’re clean and free of corrosion. If you use disposable batteries, replace them as needed and allow new batteries to “breathe” for a few minutes after removing the tab before inserting them. For rechargeable hearing aids, follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for charging to avoid overcharging or depleting the battery.

It’s also important to check your hearing aids regularly for signs of wear or damage, like cracks in the casing, loose components or diminished performance. If you notice anything unusual, address it promptly to prevent further issues. By creating a simple daily and weekly maintenance schedule, you can extend the lifespan of your hearing aids, maintain their performance and reduce the likelihood of needing repairs.

When Should You See an Audiologist for Hearing Aid Issues?

If you’re experiencing hearing aid issues during cold weather, knowing when to see an audiologist is important to ensure your devices are functioning properly. While some minor problems, like low battery life or slight moisture buildup, can often be resolved with basic maintenance, other issues may require professional attention. For instance, if your hearing aids consistently lose power even after replacing or charging the batteries, it could indicate a more significant issue with the battery connections or internal components. In this case, an audiologist can inspect the devices to identify and address the underlying problem.

You should also schedule an appointment if your hearing aids have been exposed to excessive moisture, like condensation from winter temperature changes, and they are no longer working correctly. Additionally, if you notice persistent static, muffled sound or reduced performance that doesn’t improve after using a dehumidifier or performing routine cleaning, an audiologist can conduct a thorough evaluation to diagnose the issue.

Learn More About Winter Device Care

If you rely on your hearing aids every day, taking extra care of them during the winter months can make a big difference. Cold weather might pose some challenges, but simple steps like keeping your batteries warm and managing moisture can help ensure your devices work reliably. Just like bundling up to stay comfortable in chilly conditions, protecting your hearing aids from the cold is a small effort that ensures you stay connected to the people and moments that matter most.

At Albuquerque Hearing and Balance, we’re dedicated to providing comprehensive hearing care to all our patients. If you have any further questions or concerns about maintaining your hearing aid battery life in cold weather or any other aspect of your hearing health, feel free to reach out to us. Just give our team in Albuquerque, NM a call at (505) 750-9569.