.png){kind=logo}
Are you tired of swapping disposable button batteries out of your hearing aids every couple of days? If you are, there’s good news! Rechargeable hearing aids are now on the market. In fact, according to a 2022 study, “52% of people surveyed in 2022 had a rechargeable hearing aid.” In this post, we review the pros and cons of rechargeable hearing aids so you can determine if they’re right for you.
The Pros of Rechargeable Hearing Aids
Some of the pros of rechargeable hearing aids are:
They hold a long charge. Most rechargeable hearing aids can hold a charge for as long as 30 hours. Note, though, if you’re streaming a lot, it will be closer to 18 hours.
The batteries are long-lasting. Rechargeable hearing aid batteries are designed for re-use up to five to seven years—this means they don’t need to be replaced until it’s time to upgrade your devices.
They’re easy to handle. For people with dexterity issues, rechargeable hearing aids are much easier to handle than hearing aids that take tiny button batteries that need to be swapped out.
They’re safer for pets and children. Whether you throw your hearing aid batteries in the trash (which you should not do!) or store them in a container until you can take them somewhere to be recycled (which you should do!), you run the risk of pets or children getting into them and ingesting them. Hearing aid batteries are toxic even if they’re used.
They’re more eco-friendly. Some people go through up to 100 disposable batteries a year. Over the lifespan of your rechargeable hearing aids, you would likely only go through one rechargeable battery per device as opposed to as many as 500 disposable batteries.
The Cons of Rechargeable Hearing Aids
A couple of the cons of rechargeable batteries include the fact that:
They’re dependent on a charger and power source. If you go out of town and forget your charger or you’re camping at Lake Shawnee Campground in Topeka with no access to power, you could be left without your sense of hearing.
They’re limited in style options. Because rechargeable hearing aids are relatively new, there aren’t a ton of styles available—they’re usually limited to the behind-the-ear style.
To learn more or to schedule an appointment with a hearing aid expert, call Topeka Ear Nose & Throat today.