Rechargeable Hearing Aids

When choosing a new hearing aid, one important option to consider is whether or not you would like rechargeable power for your device. Rechargeable batteries have been around for over three decades, but in just the past decade advances have been made to make rechargeable battery performance increasingly efficient, powerful and easy-to-use.

Advancing Technology

We’ve come a long way- the rechargeable batteries of the past were mostly nickel-cadmium (NiCa) batteries that presented considerable disadvantages: they held a “memory” that could considerably diminish the charge they would accept if they weren’t fully drained before each charging. Their performance would dwindle drastically over time and the technology and chemistry of the batteries placed limits on how small they could become while still delivering enough power.

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Today, the rechargeable hearing device market is based on Nickel-metal-hydride, Lithium Ion and Silver Zinc batteries all of which made huge strides in rechargeable performance. These rechargeable batteries have started to keep pace with user needs, eliminating battery “memory” and being able to accommodate the heavy-use power requirements of the latest wireless features.

New charger designs have also made maintaining and recharging hearing devices easier than ever before. The latest rechargeable battery technology also foregrounds their positive environmental impact, keeping more hard metals out of water and soil and improving safety against ingestion poisoning. Charging times have become increasingly efficient, and rechargeable batteries now accommodate partial charging with no detrimental effect.

Rechargeable batteries today can keep a hearing device running through a full and active daily schedule, incorporating the power demands of wireless and digital technology.

Easy-To-Use

We’ve come a long way- the rechargeable batteries of the past were mostly nickel-cadmium (NiCa) batteries that presented considerable disadvantages: they held a “memory” that could considerably diminish the charge they would accept if they weren’t fully drained before each charging. Their performance would dwindle drastically over time and the technology and chemistry of the batteries placed limits on how small they could become while still delivering enough power.

Today, the rechargeable hearing device market is based on Nickel-metal-hydride, Lithium Ion and Silver Zinc batteries all of which made huge strides in rechargeable performance. These rechargeable batteries have started to keep pace with user needs, eliminating battery “memory” and being able to accommodate the heavy-use power requirements of the latest wireless features.

New charger designs have also made maintaining and recharging hearing devices easier than ever before. The latest rechargeable battery technology also foregrounds their positive environmental impact, keeping more hard metals out of water and soil and improving safety against ingestion poisoning. Charging times have become increasingly efficient, and rechargeable batteries now accommodate partial charging with no detrimental effect.

Rechargeable batteries today can keep a hearing device running through a full and active daily schedule, incorporating the power demands of wireless and digital technology.

Household Safety

With less battery changing, rechargeable hearing aids also reduce the risk of household accidents. Because of their size, disposable batteries are easy to drop or lose and loose disposable hearing aid batteries can do serious damage if ingested by a child or pet. Lost batteries can also be crushed or damaged exposing you to their chemical contents. With rechargeable devices, the potential of losing your battery is greatly reduced – your hearing aid will be opened far less often. Powerful rechargeable batteries, like Lithium-ion, are sealed completely to protect against ingestion harm.

Cost-Effectiveness

It’s also important to consider the practicality of cost. Rechargeable hearing aid batteries have the usage equivalent of 50-100 regular disposable zinc air batteries (around a fifty-battery equivalent for nickel-metal hydride and closer to a hundred for silver-zinc rechargeables). It is estimated that typical weekly battery changing for disposable batteries in binaural hearing aids costs the user around $100 a year, and $300 over the course of three years. Over that time, a user typically goes through over 300 batteries.

Most rechargeable micro-batteries have a life of one year, making your three-year supply for two hearing devices a humble six batteries. So comparably, a three-year supply of six rechargeable batteries plus a charger for 2 hearing aids is usually in the $100-$200 range. The up-front cost of rechargeable batteries will more than pay for itself over time.

Eco-Friendly

Hearing aid batteries are small, but they can still have a big impact. Common zinc-air disposable batteries can’t be recycled and consistently end up in landfills where they leach into soil and groundwater. The same chemicals that make batteries toxic to a human or animal if ingested are just as toxic for the earth’s resources. More batteries also mean more packaging material going into the waste cycle. With each rechargeable battery doing the job of at least fifty disposable batteries, rechargeable power does more with much less. With ever-more efficient and effective rechargeable options being engineered, the hearing aid industry is making a strong push towards greener technology.

A Great Investment

Now is a fantastic time to consider rechargeable options for your hearing device. For the user, renewable batteries offer many competitive advantages over conventional power. Hassle-free charging makes hearing devices easier to maintain, especially for users with dexterity challenges, and they decrease the risk of household accidents. The long-life of rechargeable batteries makes them an appealing option for your pocketbook as much as for the environment. If you think rechargeable batteries are the right option for your hearing aid, let our specialists at Custom Hearing know. We’ll be happy to help you find a hearing solution that’s the perfect fit for your auditory and lifestyle needs.