Rechargeable hearing aids are quickly becoming the preferred type of hearing aid for consumers. That said, the majority of the market still uses disposable battery hearing aids (about 89% of the market according to a study by HearingTracker.com). The reason? Until a few years ago, major hearing aid manufacturers did not market rechargeable products.
However, the market is changing: most consumers now expect and prefer rechargeable hearing aids, and for good reasons! These devices offer many advantages, and we've gathered everything you need to know here.
Rechargeable Hearing Aid Guide
Since there's a lot to consider before choosing a new pair of rechargeable hearing aids, we've prepared this guide! Click below to jump to a section, or read on to learn all about rechargeable hearing aids.
Rechargeable vs. Disposable
Benefits of Rechargeable Hearing Aids
Types of Rechargeable Hearing Aids
Cost of Rechargeable Hearing Aids
Frequently Asked Questions
CLARIA Rechargeable Hearing Aids
Rechargeable vs. Disposable
When looking for a new hearing aid, it's important to decide whether you want a rechargeable or disposable battery model. Disposable battery models have long been the market standard.
Disposable Hearing Aid Batteries
Disposable hearing aid batteries generally last 3 to 10 days depending on their size. They offer a few advantages:
Easy to transport
Hearing aids that use disposable batteries can be used at any time. You don't need to remember to take your charger everywhere you go. Just grab some batteries and your hearing aids, and you're good to go.
Availability
With disposable battery hearing aids, as long as you have batteries on hand, your device will never let you down. People with rechargeable hearing aids can find themselves without their device for several days if they forget or lose their charger: disposable batteries therefore have an advantage in this regard. They are easily found in stores everywhere, so it's rare not to be able to get them.
Rechargeable Hearing Aids
Rechargeable hearing aids use a lithium battery that recharges when the device is not in use. Most rechargeable models today last a full day on a single charge. This makes it easy to charge your hearing aids overnight and wear them all day, just like you would a cell phone.
Rechargeable hearing aids have their advantages. They eliminate the cost of buying batteries and the chore of regularly replacing tiny batteries. For many people with osteoarthritis or dexterity issues, this manipulation can be difficult, even painful.
That said, rechargeable hearing aids also have their drawbacks: if you lose or forget your charger while traveling, you might not be able to turn on your device for several days, until you receive a new one, as many chargers are manufacturer-specific.
Benefits of Rechargeable Hearing Aids
Rechargeable hearing aids are becoming the preferred choice for the average consumer, and it's no coincidence. Here are some of their advantages:
Cost
With batteries lasting only a week, most disposable battery users consume 50 per year, which represents between $50 and $100 per year depending on the type of battery. For those buying a high-end device, this might not be an issue, but for people who need to manage their budget, it's a significant additional expense. Rechargeable hearing aids do not incur this additional cost.
Convenience
Always having batteries on hand is a hassle. You have to subscribe to a regular delivery service or buy them in stores. And no one likes running out of battery, especially when it's for something as important as their hearing aids. With rechargeable hearing aids, you no longer have to think about carrying batteries when traveling or going out, which is never very practical; you just have to remember your charger, and all these worries disappear.
Ease of use
Rechargeable hearing aids are much simpler to use than their disposable battery counterparts, as they eliminate one of the main inconveniences of the latter: changing batteries.
Disposable batteries are tiny and difficult to handle. Changing hearing aid batteries can be a real headache! The devices are already small, and the batteries are even smaller.
For most people, handling is delicate; and for people with dexterity issues or osteoarthritis, it's even more so. With rechargeable hearing aids, you never have to change tiny disposable batteries.
Improved battery life
When they were first launched, rechargeable hearing aids suffered from insufficient battery life. A full charge did not last a full day.
Today, they have progressed enough that a full charge covers the entire day. Users can plug in their rechargeable hearing aids at night and enjoy a full day of use the next day.
An ecological choice
Disposable batteries are recyclable, but the process is cumbersome and many people do not dispose of them properly. As a result, millions of hearing aid batteries end up in the trash every year. Batteries contain toxic materials that are harmful to the environment if not properly processed. With rechargeable hearing aids, your carbon footprint stops at the device itself.
Types of Rechargeable Hearing Aids
There are two main types of rechargeable hearing aids: lithium-ion and silver-zinc. Lithium-ion models are the most common solution. Silver-zinc rechargeable batteries are used because they are smaller and more compact; they offer a good conversion solution for hearing aids designed for disposable batteries.
Lithium-ion Rechargeable Hearing Aids
Most rechargeable hearing aids use lithium-ion technology. Lithium-ion batteries are commonly found in cell phones and other electronic devices. They are attractive for their short charging time and good battery life.
Silver-Zinc Rechargeable Batteries
There are silver-zinc rechargeable batteries of the same size and shape as conventional disposable batteries, which can be used in devices designed for disposable batteries. Since they are rechargeable, you no longer need to constantly buy new batteries.
Their lifespan is generally shorter than that of lithium-ion batteries, but they remain an interesting option for reducing costs. That said, most manufacturers are moving towards lithium-ion rechargeable hearing aids: rechargeable batteries therefore seem to be less in the spotlight.
Cost of Rechargeable Hearing Aids
The price of rechargeable hearing aids varies greatly: from just $89 a pair for our CLARIA EV1 hearing aids to over $5,000 a pair for high-end models from other manufacturers. High-end rechargeable hearing aids incorporate advanced features such as Bluetooth, personalized adjustment based on your audiogram, digital noise filtering, etc.
That said, many people with mild to moderate hearing loss can be satisfied with a universal solution. Non-custom rechargeable digital hearing aids can be found between $500 and $1,000 a pair, and rechargeable analog models start at $89.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do rechargeable hearing aids cost?
Rechargeable hearing aids cost from $89 to over $5,000 a pair depending on the technology. Rechargeable analog models are at the lower end of the price range, while non-custom rechargeable digital models generally retail between $500 and $1,000 a pair. High-end, custom rechargeable hearing aids, obtained from an audiologist, cost an average of $4,600 a pair.
How long do rechargeable hearing aids last?
The battery life of rechargeable hearing aids varies by manufacturer and model. In general, larger devices offer better battery life as they can accommodate a larger lithium-ion battery. Today, most hearing aids last a full day of use on a single charge.
CLARIA EV1 rechargeable hearing aids offer 28 hours of battery life and CLARIA EV3s offer 22 to 24 hours (due to their smaller size). Many high-end models achieve up to 30 hours of battery life on a single charge.
How long does it take to charge rechargeable hearing aids?
Charging time varies by manufacturer and hearing aid model. Many high-end devices charge in just 3 to 4 hours. CLARIA rechargeable hearing aids have a charging time of approximately 6 to 8 hours.
How do rechargeable hearing aids work?
Rechargeable hearing aids use lithium-ion batteries that can capture and store a charge for a long period.
Do rechargeable hearing aids pose a fire risk?
Lithium-ion batteries present a very low fire risk, as they are sealed inside the hearing aid casing. If an internal component of the device is exposed, have it repaired or replaced.
CLARIA Rechargeable Hearing Aids
CLARIA rechargeable hearing aids are discreet and powerful, with a sleek in-ear design. CLARIA's EV1 rechargeable hearing aids cost only $89 a pair, and CLARIA's EV3s only $249 a pair, including a wireless magnetic charging station. At CLARIA, our mission is to make hearing accessible to everyone: our products therefore offer the lowest possible prices. To learn more, visit www.claria.com.
Conclusion
Rechargeable hearing aids are the new standard for hearing aid users. It is important to weigh the pros and cons between rechargeable and disposable battery models. Rechargeable hearing aids offer many advantages, from cost to convenience, and there are many different types. Choose the one that suits your budget and your degree of hearing loss: the main thing is to know that solutions exist for all budgets and all levels of hearing loss.
We hope this resource has been helpful in your journey to better hearing. Thank you for reading and good luck in your search for your new hearing aids!
