Rechargeable hearing aids are just one of the new styles of hearing devices now available to hearing aid wearers.
The most common rechargeable battery used in hearing aids is a lithium-ion battery. The battery is built into the hearing aid and will last about 3 to 4 years.
Your rechargeable hearing aids come in their own recharging case. You’ll also receive a power cord which plugs into your normal power outlet.
In the past couple of years, most of the hearing aid manufacturers have come out with hearing aids that use a rechargeable battery. So, I thought it was worth discussing the pros and cons of having a hearing aid with a rechargeable battery versus hearing aids with the traditional, disposable hearing aid batteries.
7 advantages of rechargeable hearing aids
1. Convenience
Having hearing aids which include a rechargeable battery means that you never have to keep batteries on you ‘just in case’ they run out of charge.
If you already have a hearing aid, you’re probably in the habit of carrying your disposable hearing aid batteries with you everywhere you go.
In fact, many people keep their hearing aid batteries in their car, their purse, their wallet and their desk at work – just so they’re never caught out when their hearing aids run low on power.
As long as you power-up your rechargeable hearing aids for about 3 to 6 hours, they should last you the whole day.
Starkey’s range includes Livio AI, Livio and Muse iQ RIC
2. Easier to handle
Having a rechargeable hearing aid means you don’t have to mess around with small batteries.
The battery is ‘built-in’. This is a real advantage for people who have poor eyesight or have trouble handling small items.
3. Better for the environment
Every year, you use around 50* or more disposable batteries per hearing aid. Rechargeable hearing aid batteries are more eco-friendly.
Though most hearing aid clinics offer battery recycling, many disposable hearing aid batteries end up in land-fill – which is not good for the environment.
4. Saves you buying or ordering batteries
When you think of all the batteries you go through in a year, it really adds up! Having a rechargeable hearing aid means that you won’t be caught short.
5. Charging your hearing aids is easy
If you’ve got a mobile phone, you may be in the habit of recharging your device overnight. This is how most people recharge their hearing aids too. Once recharged, your hearing aids should work all day.
This rechargeable hearing device provides up to 24 hours of power in a single charge
6. Helps keep your hearing aids clean and dry
Because you’re not opening and closing the battery door to change batteries, your hearing aids are less likely to be exposed to moisture and dust.
7. Rechargeable hearing aids are more efficient when you’re streaming
Modern hearing devices allow you to stream music and connect to your mobile phone with ease. But these extra processes do chew up the power of disposable batteries fast.
Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries allow you to stream for up to 5 hours – which is a real plus. If you need more power, some rechargeable hearing aids come with a portable charger.
Starkey’s Mini Turbo Charger
That’s the good news about rechargeable hearing aids. There are a few downsides too.
3 disadvantages of rechargeable hearing aids
1. Size
To accommodate the rechargeable battery, hearing devices need to be a little bigger. So, if you’re worried about the cosmetics and want to have the smallest hearing device possible, some of the rechargeables may not suit.
Having said that, the size of hearing aids continues to get smaller. The newer devices are still relatively compact and discreet.
2. You need to remember to recharge your hearing aids
One advantage of disposable hearing aid batteries is that they’re easy to replace if you do run out of charge when you’re out and about. You can’t do this with your lithium-ion rechargeable battery. You need to charge them every single day. Plus, if you’re away from home and you forget your charger, you’re stuck.
3. Cost
At the moment, hearing aids which come with a rechargeable battery do cost a little more.
When it comes to choosing the ‘right’ hearing aid, it’s always best to discuss all the options with your hearing care clinician.
To find out more about rechargeables, or if you have any questions about your hearing health, please give us a call on 1300 970 558.
* Based on changing you disposable hearing aid once a week.