We live in a rechargeable world, and hearing aids are no exception. I often have patients ask me if I recommend rechargeable hearing aids or not. Sometimes people remember the horror stories of rechargeable hearing aids from years ago. The batteries would not last even one year before needing to be replaced and sometimes they were not included in the warranty on the hearing aid. Fortunately, in today’s world of lithium-ion batteries, batteries will usually last several years, and a single charge will give more than enough power for a full day of use. Some hearing aids can last 50 hours on a single charge!
Let’s talk about the positives of rechargeables. You do not have to replace small, fiddly batteries every 5-7 days. Dexterity does not improve with each birthday you celebrate, and the batteries are very small. The battery NEVER goes out at a convenient time, always when you are in the middle of something or on the way somewhere. You have to carry batteries with you at all times. You have to purchase batteries. You are throwing batteries into our landfills if you are not recycling them. Rechargeable hearing aids are more watertight because there is no opening in the case for the battery where moisture can get in. Your charger is your safe haven for your hearing aids. If your aids are not in your ears they are in the charger and vice versa.
The downside to rechargeable hearing aids is that when you travel, you have to carry another charger and cord with you. If you forget to put your hearing aids on the charger, you may lose power to the hearing aids. A full charge typically takes about 3 hours. You can get a partial charge in about an hour. If you are someone who does not sleep well and cannot depend on having a few hours to charge your hearing aids, replaceable batteries might be your best choice. If you lose power for several days, you might be charging your hearing aids in your car! And lastly, when your rechargeable battery does expire, it typically requires a trip to the manufacturer to be replaced.
At the end of the day, the decision is yours to make. At Gardner Audiology we support both types. Sometimes the manufacturers don’t release new products in a changeable battery option. In that case, you may be getting previous technology. Things to consider!
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us at info@gardneraudiology.com or call 1-800-277-1182 to schedule an appointment at one of our 10 locations.
