There are so many different types of hearing aids available today. One question to ask when deciding on what type of hearing aid to order is how often you will have to change your battery. For many people with dexterity issues, this can be a little challenging. There are others who want the convenience of not having the battery die during a meeting or other demanding listening situations. There are numerous advantages to rechargeable batteries for hearing aids:
- Confidence – Hearing aid users often worry that their battery will die at an inconvenient time. Rechargeable batteries eliminate this concern. The hearing aids are charged overnight and last throughout the whole next day.
- Cost-Efficient – The upfront cost of rechargeable batteries can be greater than disposable batteries, however, over time disposable batteries are more costly than rechargeable ones. A single disposable battery can cost as much a $1. Disposable batteries are changed on average, once per week. This can add up to a cost of over $300 for a 3 year period. A 3 year supply of rechargeable batteries and the charger can cost less than $200.
- Eco-Friendly – Rechargeable batteries give the hearing aid user a “greener” alternative to disposable batteries which expose the environment to lead and acid.
- Enhanced comfort and easy use – Good dexterity is needed for battery changes. Some health issues that can complicate battery changing are arthritis, diabetes, and Parkinson’s disease. These issues can make opening the packaging and battery compartments very frustrating. For those with physical limitations, rechargeable batteries are an ideal solution.
- Flexibility – Today’s rechargeable hearing aids can use the rechargeable battery as well as disposable zinc-air batteries. If the situation arises where you need to switch between the 2 different types of batteries, rechargeable hearing aids allow that.
- Longevity – Disposable batteries can drain prematurely if not properly sealed. Rechargeable batteries are self-contained, sealed packages, which prolong the shelf life. Rechargeable batteries have also been proven to better withstand severe conditions and climates.
Charging stations have also improved. They now have a dual functionality of recharging the hearing aids while dehumidifying them with an electronic drying function, thereby helping prolong the life of the hearing aids. The hearing aids are simply placed inside the charging area of the charger. The charger detects the instruments automatically. Once detected, the charger turns them off which eliminates any risk of feedback and ensures an optimal charging process.
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