Batteries v Rechargeable Hearing Aids

If you have had a hearing check by your Hearing Aid Specialists SA audiologist or audiometrist, and you have a hearing loss, you might be considering what type of hearing aids to be fitted with. This could include whether you get hearing aids with disposable batteries, or rechargeable ones.   Hearing aids with disposable batteries have a small, round battery (sometimes referred to as a button battery) that you change whenever the battery in the hearing aid runs out. This is generally about once a week depending on how often you use your hearing aid, the size of the battery, the type of hearing aid and the technology in it. Usually, the hearing aid will beep or talk to you to let you know when the battery needs changing. Many people are very used to having disposable batteries in their hearing aids and find them quite convenient.   However, if your hearing aids use disposable batteries, you do need to remember to take batteries with you when going out in case it runs out. You also need to be able to physically change the battery (they can be small and fiddly). It is also important to dispose of any old batteries safely to ensure that they do not get swallowed by pets or children.  Rechargeable hearing aids have grown in popularity in more recent years. Rechargeable technology has improved so the hearing aid lasts longer between charges and more hearing aids now include this option. There are several advantages to rechargeable hearing aids. The first is not needing to worry about disposing of old batteries – this is not only better for the environment but also means there is no risk of them being swallowed by children or pets. With rechargeable hearing aids, you also don’t need to remember to take spare batteries with you because when you take your hearing aid out of the charger it has a full day’s charge in it. Another advantage is that rechargeable aids can have a better seal on them because they don’t need to be opened or closed to change batteries – this can make them more resistant to dust and moisture resulting in less breakdowns of the hearing aids.   You do, however, need to remember to charge your hearing aids every night so they are ready to go the next morning. If you are someone who always forgets to charge your phone, you might want to consider whether rechargeable hearing aids are right for you. You do also need to have access to power to charge the hearing aids. For most people this is not an issue but if you tend to be away from power sources for an extended period – whether it be because of travel – or you live in an area prone to power outages – you might want to consider whether you will be able to charge your hearing aids. Some hearing aids come with chargers with an inbuilt battery pack that gives you a few charges without needing a power source – these are handy if you are without power for a day or two for any reason such as a weekend camping trip.   Rechargeable hearing aids have become increasingly popular in recent years and are a great and convenient option for most people. But they are not the right option for everyone. If you are unsure whether a rechargeable hearing aid, or one that uses disposable batteries, is right for you, our audiologists or audiometrists at Hearing Aid Specialists SA can help you decide.