For many hearing aid wearers, buying and replacing batteries is just part of the process of owning a hearing aid. But rechargeable batteries are changing the way we use and design hearing aids. Lithium-ion batteries are the next step in hearing aid innovation, and they offer many benefits to the people who use them.
What are rechargeable hearing aids?
Today’s rechargeable digital hearing aids are much more technologically advanced than in the past. With simple, reliable charging, rechargeable hearing aids allow you to continue your active life without worrying about running out of hearing aid power. Compared to traditional disposable battery hearing aids, rechargeable hearing aids have built-in batteries that don’t need to be removed on a regular basis. Instead of removing the battery itself, you park your hearing aid each night on a charging unit, similar to the way a smartphone is charged. Rechargeable hearing aids allow you to enjoy superior sound quality without the need to purchase and replace hearing aid batteries on a regular basis.
Rechargeable hearing aids increasing in popularity.
No more extra costs.
Hearing aid users can spend up to hundreds of dollars a year on disposable batteries. If you play music or videos regularly while using your hearing aids, it can cost even more. Buying hearing aid batteries is also a hassle, with the added cost of shipping and the added gas used to purchase the drivers.
Be more environmentally friendly.
It’s a tough problem to solve: an estimated 1.4 billion disposable hearing aid batteries end up in landfills every year. Over a three-year period, two digital hearing aids will consume an average of 300 (or more) batteries. Compare that to rechargeable hearing aid batteries, which can easily last a year (and sometimes years) before they need to be replaced.
More energy efficient.
If you regularly use the wireless streaming capabilities of your hearing aids, you can personally benefit from rechargeable Bluetooth® hearing aids like AIDS Signia’s PURE® Rechargeable and Go and Quasi-Fee and Go. For most hearing aids, Bluetooth and streaming are very burdensome on disposable batteries. However, the use of lithium-ion batteries helps solve this problem. A fully charged battery lasts all day – that’s up to 19 hours of battery life, including up to 5 hours of streaming. You don’t have to put your hearing aid in the charger at the end of the day instead of buying more disposable batteries. If you stream for more than five hours and run out of money before you get home, a portable charger can provide you with a much-needed boost. For example, a 30-minute quick charge can give you up to six hours of listening time.
Easy to use.
No tiny batteries to deal with or replace. No fussy doors that open frequently. No need to routinely order, ship, or pick up more batteries. Many rechargeable hearing aids can easily be recharged hundreds (or even thousands!) of times before they need to be replaced ), which is a huge benefit for people with arthritis, diabetic nerve damage, or other flexibility challenges.
Safer for children.
Disposable button batteries are very dangerous if a pet or child accidentally swallows them, but this happens all the time. Rechargeable hearing aids do not pose this danger unless the entire hearing aid is swallowed (which does happen!).
All-day convenience and confidence.
Rechargeable hearing aids can easily last a full day when fully charged overnight. They even have the ability to handle hours of wireless streaming from a cell phone, TV, or other devices – a feature that is known to greatly deplete the juice in their disposable devices.
Better in cold weather.
Zinc-air batteries are known to have difficulty working properly in cold weather. Lack of moisture and cold temperatures can quickly drain the battery, which can deplete the hearing aid and cause sound quality problems. Rechargeable hearing aids are becoming more popular in areas with long winters because they are more cost-effective and easy to use. Lithium-ion batteries have little to no loss in cold weather, making them more efficient than zinc-air and lead-acid batteries.
Better for older wearers.
For older hearing aid wearers, the process of purchasing and replacing batteries can be difficult. They may not have the necessary means to go to the pharmacy to buy batteries, and those with limited motor skills may have difficulty opening the battery compartment. Disposable batteries are also small, making them easy to drop and out of sight. With rechargeable hearing aids, this troublesome process can be eliminated completely. Your hearing aid can be removed and placed in a secure charger, ready to use when needed.
The most natural-sounding rechargeable hearing aid.
HearingAidsElite wants to provide people with hearing loss with what they want and need to enjoy the moments that matter. We are committed to providing durable, reliable, and sustainable rechargeable hearing aids for all types of hearing loss.
Frequently asked questions about rechargeable hearing aids.
Are rechargeable hearing aids more convenient than traditional hearing aids?
For most people, yes. All hearing aids are powered by batteries. Conventional hearing aid batteries take about a week to replace. For some people, replacing the batteries is no big deal. However, people with vision, dexterity, or memory impairments may have difficulty performing (or remembering to perform) these tasks. With rechargeable hearing aids, you simply place the device in the charger at night (or when it needs to be recharged) and you don’t have to perform these tasks or keep the batteries on hand.
How long do rechargeable hearing aid batteries last?
The daily runtime depends on several factors, including the material of the battery, the climate/environment in which the battery is used, and the complexity of the battery-powered technology. Lithium-ion batteries in particular are widely acclaimed and praised for their longevity: even under demanding conditions such as wireless audio/video streaming, they can last 19-80 hours on a single charge. In terms of overall lifespan, you may be wondering: do rechargeable batteries go bad? The answer is yes. But they are designed to handle hundreds (or even thousands) of charges before they need to be replaced. Lithium-ion batteries have a long life, ranging from three to five years.
Fast, worry-free charging.
Lithium-ion technology allows for fast charging when you need it. For example, charging a rechargeable hearing aid for just 30 minutes can buy up to eight hours of use. While the electronic contacts of other rechargeable batteries need to be carefully and correctly aligned with the charger, lithium-ion batteries are charged by electromagnetic induction. Simply place the device in the charger and charging begins automatically.
Sealed for safety and protection.
Since lithium-ion batteries do not require direct contact with the charger, the battery cover is completely sealed until the battery needs to be replaced. The benefit? There is no risk of the battery being accidentally dropped or swallowed by children or pets, and added protection from moisture, sweat, and debris that can enter and damage the battery.