Many patients ask Gardner Audiology Doctors about rechargeable hearing aids. Are they the right choice, and what are the pros and cons? In the past, rechargeable batteries in hearing aids were frequently unreliable, having to be replaced more often than expected. In addition, they often only had around an 8 hour charge life. Most people on average wear their hearing aids more than 8 hours a day, meaning they would have to either charge the hearing aids in the middle of the day, or not wear them during all waking hours. However, for people with dexterity concerns or vision deficits, this was the best option.
A new generation of rechargeable hearing aids have been released with substantial improvements. The biggest advancement is the charge life. Most manufacturers are now boasting at least a 24 hour charge life, with no concern of running out of juice during the day. Progress has also been made in the stability and reliability of the batteries themselves. Listed below are the pros and cons of rechargeable batteries:
Pros:
- No longer having to worry about constantly replacing disposable batteries
- Long battery life
- Environmentally friendly
- Easy to charge
Cons:
- Added upfront cost
- Potential repairs needed
- Expense to replace the rechargeable battery
It is important to talk to your audiologist to determine if a rechargeable system is right for you. Be on the lookout for part 2 of this series, which will review the different types of hearing aid batteries currently available!
To schedule an appointment or for more information about rechargeable systems contact Gardner Audiology at 1-800-277-1182 or email info@gardneraudiology.com
Dr. Rachel Conter, Gardner Audiologist
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