It’s been a tricky thing to master: At first, rechargeable batteries small enough to fit in hearing aids just didn’t have enough power to be practical. But thanks to lithium-ion technology, hearing aids with rechargeable batteries are now long-lasting and reliable. Rechargeable hearing aids can be tremendously convenient, but they aren’t for everyone. We took a closer look at the best hearing aids with rechargeable batteries to help you decide if the devices are right for you. Here’s what we found.
Pros
Long-lasting performance Rechargeable hearing aids hold their charge for up to 30 hours, or up to 18 hours for heavy streamers.Long life Lithium-ion batteries last about five years before needing to be replaced, whereas silver zinc rechargeable batteries last about a year. Comparatively, standard hearing aid batteries last from 3 to 22 days, depending on the type of hearing aid, the battery’s capacity, and your usage.Easier to handle If you have vision or dexterity issues, trying to change out tiny hearing aid batteries can be a real pain. Even the packaging can be difficult to get into. Rechargeable hearing aids greatly reduce the need to change out your batteries.Safer Regular hearing aids use tiny, disposable, and disc-shaped batteries. These disposable hearing aid batteries pose a dangerous hazard to kids, pets, and even adults who may accidentally swallow them.More eco-friendly You can go through up to 100 hearing aid batteries a year with traditional hearing aids. That’s a lot of toxic metals that go into landfills. If you recycle, there’s the inconvenience and in some cases expense of physically taking your batteries to a drop-off center.
Cons
Charger dependency If something happens to the charger or the cord of your charging station, you could be without your hearing aids until the station is repaired or the part is replaced — unless you foot the bill for an extra charger, which can be pricey. You’ll also need to remember to pack your charger when you travel.Fewer style options Rechargeable hearing aids are still fairly new, and manufacturers are just beginning to add new models and styles. For now, your options may be limited.Higher prices In some cases, the cost of the charging unit and any replacement batteries may not be included in the price of your rechargeable hearing aids. Depending on the make and model of your hearing aids, a charging unit can cost upwards of $300. And while you’ll be using far fewer rechargeable batteries compared to standard hearing aid batteries, when it’s time to replace your rechargeable batteries, you can expect to pay about twice the amount you would spend on standard hearing aid batteries.
Because customers are connected with a hearing care professional who will program and adjust your hearing aids via video conference, there’s no need for in-person appointments. A hearing care professional can ensure you get hearing aids specific to your hearing loss, and you can ask questions about the best way to use your hearing aids. You’ll get remote access to the audiology care team for questions, feedback, and on-demand adjustments for three years. Jabra Enhance hearing aids come with 12 processing channels, noise-blocking technology, and the ability to adjust the hearing aids through the Jabra Enhance Select app or remotely with the help of the audiology care team. Price: $1,195 to $1,995 Type of hearing aid: Receiver-in-canal Hearing loss: Mild to moderately severe hearing loss Bluetooth capabilities: Yes Battery: 312 standard disposable battery and rechargeable battery option Warranty and trial period: Three-year manufacturer’s warranty, three-year loss and damage protection, and 100-day money-back trial Financing: Yes Get Jabra Enhance at JabraEnhance.com The Wave includes advanced Bluetooth technology compatible with both Apple and Android smartphones. These hearing aids have two directional microphones to help cut the clutter so you can have clear conversations. They also come with 12 processing channels and 10 volume settings you can adjust through the Audicus app. Each hearing aid comes with standard batteries, but the company offers a rechargeable upgrade for $300. If you have results from a current hearing test, the company’s experts can provide guidance and recommendations. Otherwise, you can take the 15-minute online hearing test. The results are interpreted by a team of audiologists who then program a hearing aid based on your profile. Price: $899 to $1,798 Type of hearing aid: Receiver-in-the-canal Hearing loss: Mild to moderate hearing loss Bluetooth capabilities: Yes Battery: 312 standard disposable battery and rechargeable battery option Warranty and trial period: One-year manufacturer’s warranty and a 45-day money-back trial Financing: No financing options, but a discount membership program is available Get Audicus Wave at Audicus.com. The hearing aids come with four preset listening profiles you can change by double-tapping your ear. They aren’t preprogrammed, so you’ll need to program them yourself. That said, the company has a user-friendly app that allows you to program your hearing aids, and one of the company’s specialists can help you over the phone. Price: $1,450 to $2,950 Type of hearing aid: Completely-in-the-canal Hearing loss: Mild to moderate high-frequency hearing loss Bluetooth capabilities: Yes, in the charging case Battery: Rechargeable Warranty and trial period: One- to two-year manufacturer’s warranty (depends on model) and 45-day money-back trial Financing: Yes Get Eargo at Eargo.com. If you’re looking for something more advanced than the basic model, MDHearing has four models to choose from: the Pro, Air, Volt, and Core. The company offers an online hearing test and access to a licensed audiologist. While it may not be the most advanced hearing aid on the market, it may be a good choice for those looking for a range of prices and features. The Pro comes with two audio settings and is best suited for quiet environments, while the Core, the most advanced model, comes with four audio settings, Bluetooth capability, directional microphones, and feedback cancellation. Price: $299 to $699 Type of hearing aid: Behind-the-ear Hearing loss: Mild to moderately severe hearing loss Bluetooth capabilities: Core only Battery: 312 and 13 standard disposable battery and rechargeable battery option Warranty and trial period: Limited 90-day basic warranty and 45-day money-back trial Financing: Yes Get MDHearing at Mdhearingaid.com or call 844-936-0233. “I could not be more happy with my Lively Hearing aids and the experience of buying from them. I purchased the non-rechargeable with the extended warranty (three years). The audiologist I met with online (video chat) was very helpful and made sure I got set up right. This is my first pair of hearing aids so I don’t have a wide breadth for comparison but I was amazed at how much better everything sounded. Guess my wife has been right all these years … lol. PLUS since I bought the extended warranty, I had peace of mind when my puppy chewed up one of the pieces. After they got over their initial laughter, they sent me a replacement. Now (months later) I’ve just found out that they will also send me ear wax guards FOR FREE which I was totally expecting to pay for!! Free stuff, always nice! :-) So far, so good … I 100 percent recommend!!!” — Eric W., Jabra Enhance user, review on RetirementLiving.com Zip Hearing is one of the largest discount providers of hearing aids in the United States. The company connects you with name brand hearing aids at competitive prices through local, professional hearing care providers. A hearing care professional will help you select and set up your new rechargeable hearing aids, provide ongoing care, and help you decide if rechargeable hearing aids are best for your needs. Through Zip Hearing, you’ll also get a 45-day, 100 percent money-back guarantee if you’re not completely satisfied with your purchase. Rechargeable hearing aids may be more expensive up front, with pricey charging stations, but they could save you the cost of buying new disposable batteries every week or month. Plus, as demand grows, prices should continue to drop as well. But rechargeable hearing aids aren’t for everyone. If you prefer more style options, are looking for less-expensive models, and don’t want to haul a charging station with you whenever you travel, rechargeable hearing aids might not be for you. Your hearing impairment, general health, and lifestyle will dictate the best type of hearing aid for your needs. As always, you can reach out to your hearing care provider for guidance.
