Rechargeable Hearing Aids. Should You or Shouldn’t You?
JUST AS TECHNOLOGY IN HEARING AIDS CHANGE, HEARING AID BATTERY TECHNOLOGY IS ALSO CHANGING.
HERE IS WHAT IS AVAILABLE AND SOME THINGS TO CONSIDER
TYPES OF BATTERIES REGULAR, DISPOSABLE ZINC-AIR BATTERIES
Zinc-air hearing aid batteries are the traditional, pull-tab disposable batteries most frequently used in hearing aids. When the tab is pulled, the oxygen from the air oxidizes with the zinc in the battery and creates a charge.
ZINC-AIR BATTERIES
- Batteries are color-coded. Regardless of the manufacturer (Ray o vac, Duracell, Energizer, etc.), the color corresponding to the battery size is the same.
- All size 10 batteries (the smallest hearing aid battery) are yellow and last between 3-5 days.
- All size 312 batteries are brown and last between 5-8 days.
- All size 13 batteries are orange and last between 10-14 days.
- All size 675 batteries (rarely used today) are blue.
- After pulling the tab, you should wait 2-5 minutes before putting the battery in the hearing aid to allow time for oxygen to react with the zinc for the fullest charge and longest battery life.
RECHARGEABLE HEARING AID BATTERIES
Rechargeable hearing aids have been around for over 30 years, but they were never very popular because the charge did not last all day. Two new battery technologies in the last 18 months fixed that problem and rechargeable hearing aids are now all the rage. Every major manufacturer offers rechargeable hearing aid options.
LITHIUM- ION BATTERY TECHNOLOGY – all lithium-ion batteries (also used in computers, cell phones, even Tesla’s) are totally sealed (encased) in any device for safety reasons. They can be a fire hazard if mishandled or damaged.
PROS OF LITHIUM-ION RECHARGEABLE HEARING AIDS
- Eliminates expense of disposable batteries.
- No hassle of changing batteries every 3-7 days.
- Last battery life. Lasts 4 to 5 years.
- Gets the longest usage with one charge – 30 hours per charge and/or 24 hours of continuous use with 5 hours of streaming.
- Better moisture protection- water and perspiration problems are greatly reduced.
CONS OF LITHIUM-ION RECHARGEABLE HEARING AIDS
- The hearing aids are slightly larger and heavier
- No access to the battery compartment. You cannot use regular, disposable, batteries in an emergency.
- You must take the charger with you on trips and vacations
- Power limitations – if you stream phone calls and music a lot, the charge may not last all day. Streaming uses a lot of power.
- Your hearing aids are “out of commission” when they are being charged, and any problems with the battery require manufacturer repair.
SILVER ZINC RECHARGEABLE HEARING AIDS
PROS OF SILVER ZINC RECHARGEABLE HEARING AIDS
- Eliminates expense of disposable batteries. However, the cost of the hearing aid is slightly more expensive (They pretty much cancel each other out).
- No hassle of changing batteries every 3-7 days.
- 24 hours of continuous use with up to 5 hours of streaming.
- Flexibility – Because they are removable, the rechargeable battery can be replaced with regular, disposable hearing aid batteries in an emergency, you do not want to carry your charger with you and/or forget your charger at home.
- Silver-zinc is no- flammable, non- toxic and 100% recyclable.
- Silver-zinc is smaller than lithium-ion. Hearing aids are slightly smaller and lighter.
- Backwards Compatibility – Many manufacturer’s hearing aids can be changed or retrofit since the rechargeable component is in the battery door.
CONS OF SILVER-ZINC RECHARGEABLE HEARING AIDS
- Battery must be replaced once a year (replacement cost of rechargeable battery is about the same as purchasing disposable batteries)
- Power limitations – if you stream a lot of phone calls and music, the batteries may not last the full 24-hour day.
There is a lot to think about when it comes to rechargeable hearing aids. Both systems has its pros and cons. Just like with the style, technology, features and benefits of hearing aids, it is about what is right for you.
Your hearing care provider should be knowledgeable and familiar with every type of hearing aid available and know your lifestyle, hearing needs and you.
