Rechargeable hearing aid batteries are a fantastic idea – in theory. But are they sensible in the real world? When first introduced, rechargeable hearing aid batteries didn’t fit into any models other than the over-the-ear type because they were so large. They also didn’t hold a charge for very long and took a long time to recharge. The best of them only lasted for 5 to 6 hours, not the twelve to fourteen hours that the average wearer of hearing aids needs.
However, many advances have been made in the years since – in the materials used for the batteries, in their size, in the length of time they hold a charge, and in the technologies used to recharge them. As a result, rechargeable batteries are in many cases not only a good idea, but one that is far more eco-friendly and cost-efficient. For example, over a three-year period the average hearing aid wearer would use up an average of three hundred disposable batteries at a cost of 300 to 400 dollars; all of these batteries would have to be disposed of in a proper recycling bin and not just thrown in the trash. In contrast, the hearing aid wearer using rechargeable batteries would only need 6 of them for that same three-year period, none of which needed to be thrown away; total cost (including the recharger) would be in the range of $100-200.
One advantage of replaceable batteries that you might not immediately think of is not having to deal with the plastic containers that disposable batteries come in, which tend to be challenging for those over seventy, and thus most in need of hearing aids. With some rechargeable hearing aids, you don’t even need to open them to remove the batteries; simply place the entire aid in a recharging unit over night, and it’s all done for you automatically. For convenience you can now get a portable battery recharger. It is about the size and shape of a pen making it easy to carry with you and doesn’t require an external power source.
As a result, it can be said that rechargeable batteries are a viable option for hearing aids, one that can help you both to save money and to save the environment. And, you can always revert to disposable batteries in a pinch. If you don’t have access to your charger, just pop in a few disposable batteries in the meantime.