Rechargeable Hearing Aids

Electricity is pretty much a constant in our everyday lives. The average house is buzzing with microwaves, TVs, fridges, game consoles, and lights, among dozens of other things. And now, even when we leave the house, we need to make sure that everything we take with us is suitably juiced up – from our phones to our electric cars. It’s even been estimated that 90% of people experience “low-battery anxiety” – a fear of being off the grid due to dead batteries.

As inconvenient as it can seem to constantly be thinking about battery life, it’s even more of a pain to constantly have to lug around extra batteries on the off chance that you need to change them on the go. This has led to the development of rechargeable battery technology.

With the growth of rechargeable battery technology, it's only natural that the hearing aid industry would eventually adopt it.

In this article, we’ll be looking at rechargeable hearing aid batteries, how long they last, and how they compare to regular battery-powered hearing aids.

If you want to ask any questions you may have regarding hearing aids, you could always arrange a free consultation with a nearby hearing specialist using our special form.

Rechargeable hearing aid batteries

Despite people classifying tech as either “rechargeable” or “battery-powered,” this is a bit of a false dichotomy. In reality, they’re both battery-powered – one just has a battery that can be recharged. 

This means less reliance on tiny batteries, which saves you a lot of little headaches. You won’t need surgical precision when you want to change them, you won’t need to carry an extra set with you, and you won’t need to keep dishing out money to buy replacements.

How long do hearing aid batteries last?

At the end of the day, what matters most is how long these batteries last – in other words, how long you’ll be able to use your hearing aid without worrying about it dying.

Conventional hearing aid batteries last longer than rechargeable batteries, by a good margin. Depending on the kind of hearing aid (which would govern the kind of battery needed to power it,) a hearing aid can run for up to 20 days!

This is the one downside of rechargeable batteries. Indeed, even the best rechargeable batteries only hold enough charge for a few days at their absolute best.

“I think rechargeable bluetooth digital hearing aids will become the new standard.” – Lindsey Banks, Au. D.

Why are rechargeable hearing aids getting more popular?

If conventional batteries last much longer than rechargeable hearing aids, why are rechargeable hearing aids becoming the more popular choice? Well, there are a couple of reasons for this.

Firstly, once you have a rechargeable battery, it’s yours for the foreseeable. Single-use batteries need you to always be on top of your supply, making sure you never run out and always have some in reach. With rechargeables, you’ll only need to keep track of your charger (and maybe a portable charging case if you have one.)

Hand in hand with this perk is the money you’ll be saving. Hearing aid batteries don’t cost an absolute fortune, but saving money where you can is always a plus.

Another nice benefit is the eco-friendly angle. Empty batteries are a massive component of waste, with Americans buying 3 billion single-use batteries a year. Assuming even half of those get used, that’s 1.5 billion empty batteries – a good percentage of which won’t be properly recycled.

By using rechargeable batteries, you can minimize your pollution output by saving money on consistent purchases, which is always a good choice to make if given the chance.

Some common complaints about changing batteries relate to the changing process itself. Since hearing aid batteries are so small, opening the hatch and swapping the batteries can be a fiddly and genuinely difficult task, especially for someone with poor dexterity or neuropathy issues. Rechargeable batteries circumvent this issue entirely.

Another reason to adopt rechargeable batteries is, as sinister as it sounds, the fact that you may not have a choice – especially if you’re looking at one of the bigger hearing aid brands. The Big Six, which is the collective term for the six biggest hearing aid manufacturers in the world, are all integrating rechargeable batteries into their latest models.

Recent Big Six models like the Oticon Opn S, the Phonak Audeo Marvel, and the ReSound Quattro – all discussed in depth here – are all rechargeable, while the Signia Styletto is exclusively rechargeable. You’ll be able to find conventionally battery-powered hearing aids in these companies’ back catalogs (which are identical aside from the batteries,) but the future of the top hearing aid brands is looking likely to be entirely rechargeable.

What’s the best rechargeable hearing aid?

What’s the best breed of dog?* Much like dog breeds, hearing aids aren’t on a simple sliding scale of quality. Hearing aids should be chosen based on the user’s individual needs and desires, and in some cases, it’s entirely possible that a cheaper hearing aid may be a better choice than a more expensive one.

Most of the hearing aids discussed in this article are rechargeable, so scroll through to see if any of them catch your eye (or ear!) Otherwise you could have a more in-depth discussion with a qualified hearing healthcare professional by booking a free consultation through our link.

*Disclaimer: Clear Living recognizes that every breed of dog is perfect and deserves love.

All in all

One-time-use batteries are becoming a thing of the past. In the current market, it’s less of a case of one-versus-the-other, and more of a case of rechargeable domination. In all recent hearing aid models, rechargeable batteries are looking like the rising standard.

Despite single-use batteries having generally longer lifespans, having to pay for and carry fresh batteries can be more hassle than it’s worth. If you’re interested in upgrading from a battery-based hearing aid to a rechargeable model, or if you’re in the market for your first hearing aid, then use our easy form. It will arrange a free consultation, where you can meet with your nearest hearing healthcare professional and discuss your options.