The Pros and Cons of Rechargeable Hearing Aid Batteries

If you have been diagnosed with a hearing condition, you might be in the market for a hearing aid device. Nowadays, hearing aids are available in a variety of styles to support different requirements and environments. One of the features is a rechargeable battery that can save you money and protect the environment from the use of frequent disposable batteries from devices. When contemplating what kind of power your device uses, it’s important to note:

• Rechargeable hearing aids are popular and convenient; they cost less over time 
• Rechargeable hearing aids are safer because there are no batteries in your home
• Rechargeable hearing aids are being limited on the market for hearing aid devices
• Rechargeable hearing aids have batteries that can be difficult to remove in general

What are the Pros of Rechargeable Batteries?

When deciding between a device powered by traditional or rechargeable batteries, it’s essential to way the advantages and disadvantages to determine the best solution for your unique needs. Some of the biggest pros of rechargeable batteries include:

Cost Effective

Hearing aids are small electronic devices that require a battery to operate; these batteries come in two forms: disposable and rechargeable. Hearing aid batteries tend to last a long time as they are well-optimized for the device, but buying disposable batteries can become quite expensive. 

If you want to save money, time and the environment, you should choose a hearing aid device with a rechargeable battery. A rechargeable battery doesn’t need replacing – at least for a long time – so you can charge your hearing aid overnight and save some money at the same time.

Longer Lasting 

Disposable batteries are not only pricey to buy frequently, but they need to be changed regularly; you can expect your hearing aid battery to die every few days or weeks, meaning you need to have a stock of batteries or you need somewhere convenient to buy them short notice.

Conversely, a rechargeable battery lasts a lot longer and doesn’t need to be replaced. Expect a rechargeable hearing aid battery to last you for a week or two before it needs to be recharged. Of course, these batteries are more expensive to buy, but they are more cost-effective overall.

Health and Safety 

Disposable batteries need to be changed every few days to maintain the proper functioning of your hearing aid device, but of course, these batteries also need to be disposed of carefully to protect the environment and children. There’s a chance of disposable batteries lying around. 

If there are children in the house or grandchildren that come to visit, you need to be hyper-aware of the disposable batteries. Children like to explore their world, and batteries can be toxic for them, but rechargeable ones are never lying around; they are always in the device. 

Are There Any Drawbacks?

As with all options, you will want to way the potential disadvantages you could face when opting for rechargeable technology. While there are far more benefits than concerns, it’s worth noting:

Selection Issues 

One of the main issues with rechargeable hearing aids is their availability. If you want a rechargeable device, you will be limited in what you can select from based on manufacturer availability. Luckily, this technology is continually advancing and more styles and models are available with rechargeable batteries than ever before. Talk to an audiologist about all your options before deciding on the best device.   

In terms of your hearing aid options, the most common styles include:

• In the ear (ITE)
• In the canal (ITC)
• Completely in canal (CIC)
• Invisible in canal (IIC)
• Behind the ear (BTE)

We will walk you through the pros and cons of the various styles and help you properly evaluate what will be the most beneficial for your listening needs.

Talk to Your Audiologist

Regardless what hearing aid type you decide on, you can rest assured your audiologist will help you select the right solution for your specific needs. This will take into account varying preferences like your hearing loss needs, your lifestyle requirements and your preferred budget. Other considerations you may have to make include evaluating dexterity issues. Do you struggle to handle tiny objects? This may sway what kind of device and technology you require.

When it comes to picking out hearing aids, you will have a plethora of options to choose from. Our friendly team provides the knowledge you need to make the best interest for your own unique listening needs. To find out more about your options, contact Hear Here Audiology at 727-289-1212 for an expert opinion.