Rechargeable Hearing Aids

One of the most frequent questions people ask when considering buying a new hearing aid is: “Are these hearing aids available with a rechargeable option?” The answer is often yes – the technology is quickly becoming mainstream in the hearing aid world. To learn more about rechargeable hearing aids visit one of our five convenient locations in Cape Coral, FL, Fort Myers, FL, Lehigh Acres, FL, Port Charlotte, FL, & Sebring, FL.

The arrival of lithium-ion

Rechargeable technology has been used with hearing aid technology for a while. But since the advent of lithium-ion technology, reliability has improved tremendously.

You’re familiar with rechargeable lithium-ion batteries from other devices in your house, like your smartphone or laptop. Now they are available in some of the latest hearing aids. Put your rechargeable hearing aids in the charger every night, and they’re ready for a full day every morning. No more battery-fiddling required.

This battery has a high energy capacity, which means its small size packs much power — you get over 24 hours of non-stop power. The lithium-ion battery is secured inside your hearing aid, protected from moisture and dust. Plus, a lithium-ion battery’s average lifetime is around the same lifetime as your hearing aids, so you don’t have to think around replacing the battery.

Benefits of rechargeable hearing aids

Ideal for those with reduced dexterity:
Hearing aids are getting smaller, which is excellent for remaining discreet, but it is a challenge for those with low dexterity. If you have limited vision or low dexterity (finger arthritis), you might consider changing small batteries a problem. This is not an issue with rechargeable hearing aids. In the same way, you charge your smartphone at night, plug them in, and leave them on the nightstand. There are no batteries to remove or lose.
A full day's power:
Rechargeable batteries will give you a full day's power. They will differ over how long you need to charge your hearing aid and how long it will last. Some brands give you 30 hours of power.
Long-lasting:
By lasting for the service time of your hearing aid itself, you will likely never need to replace your rechargeable battery.
Peace of mind:
Those with disposable batteries always carry spares with them, as they never really know when the battery will be depleted. This can cause unnecessary anxiety when faced with traveling or at important social events. These fears dissipate when using rechargeable hearing aids, You can rest assured you'll always have enough power to get through the day's events.

“Which manufacturers produce rechargeable hearing aids?”

Rechargeability has become so popular that every major brand now offers at least one rechargeable option. For the most part, the lithium-ion batteries that are used are still too large to work with the smallest hearing aids. ITE (in-the-ear) and smaller options generally still require the use of disposable zinc-air batteries.

Most manufacturers offer the option of rechargeability on their RIC (receiver-in-canal) and/or BTE (behind-the-ear) designs. Both of these types, while still incredibly small by historical standards, offer enough space in their housings to make rechargeability a practical option.

Some BTE models require a lot of power. These high-power hearing aids, designed to assist those with severe-profound hearing loss, usually require more power than is practical to expect from current rechargeable technology.

Starkey

One company that is ahead of the curve is Starkey, who make the world’s first ITE and ITC (in-the-canal) rechargeable hearing aids. This form factor is even compatible with some of their most comprehensive feature sets, including Evolv AI, Livio Edge AI, Livio AI, and Livio. Starkey notes that these hearing aids, while offering similar power and feature sets as their RIC design, are more comfortable to wear with facemasks.

Starkey also offers rechargeability in their BTE and RIC form factors. They also make the “Mini Turbo Charger,” which is, itself, a large lithium-ion battery. This is an add-on that is great for people on the go, or who enjoy camping. Even when you don’t sleep near an outlet for charging, you can still charge your hearing aids so they’re ready to go each day. The Mini Turbo Charger allows you to charge your hearing aids up to four times before it needs to be recharged.

Phonak

Phonak’s flagship RIC model, the Audéo Paradise, is available with a rechargeable option. This model offers brilliant sound, enhanced speech understanding, personalized noise canceling, and direct connectivity to iOS and Android devices. The Audéo Life option is even waterproof! It can withstand up to 1.64 feet of submersion. While we do not recommend purposefully wearing even waterproof hearing aids in or around the water, it is comforting to know that an accidental submersion or a walk in the rain will not destroy your hearing aids!

Like Starkey, Phonak also offers the “Phonak Power Pack,” which allows you to charge your hearing aids when you are not near a power outlet.

Find the rechargeable hearing aids for you today!

Are you interested in rechargeable hearing aids? They are available in different sizes and hearing levels to suit your needs. We can't wait to show you how rechargeable power can improve your life. Please make an appointment today at EarTronics to learn more about the rechargeable hearing aid options we offer.

WHY BUY WHEN YOU CAN LEASE?