Over the past several years, the hearing aid market has seen significant change due to modern technology. Numerous new features have increased convenience, and a range of forms and styles have improved comfort.
Users can now choose between normal battery-operated devices and rechargeable ones because of advances in hearing aids. But which option is best for you?

Rechargeable hearing aids

Hearing aids with rechargeable batteries are a relatively new addition to the audiology product line. Manufacturers have used technology to provide an easy way to maintain battery life between charges. That’s why from the viewpoint of handling, it is beneficial in the following ways:

• Easier to maintain: Standard hearing aids are small devices; therefore, changing the battery might be a difficult task. This worry is eliminated with a rechargeable hearing aid because you can just put it on charge whenever you need to.

•  Continuous Usage: The purpose of rechargeable hearing aids is to maintain your hearing function all day. Usually, they’ll have more than enough power to provide you with better hearing for the entire day. This implies that you will only need to recharge them while you sleep.
•  Simple charging procedure: It’s not necessary to juggle wires and plug in your hearing aids. They usually come with a stand or charging case; make sure you use this every night by placing it next to your bed. Each night, correctly position the hearing aids to receive a full day’s worth of charge.

Even though they could be convenient, they do have certain drawbacks.

• Battery problems are difficult to fix: Any battery issues with a conventional replacement battery hearing aid can be fixed by the user. Just like when the battery runs out, they can just take it out and put it back in, but with a rechargeable, it’s more difficult. In the event of an unanticipated battery malfunction, they would have to have it fixed by a specialist, which would prevent them from using their hearing aid for a while.

•  Dependency on a power source (charger): Although a typical user of a hearing aid can always have extra batteries with them, carrying a charger around all the time is inconvenient. Users may inadvertently forget to charge their hearing aids, which could result in their running out of power when out and about. They face the risk of having their hearing aids fail for an extended period because there is no simple way to change the batteries.

Replaceable batteries for hearing aids

Though it has certain advantages over the more modern kind, a hearing aid with a replacement battery is considered more conventional. However, it can also be less convenient at times. The benefits of these types of hearing aids are listed below:

• Extended battery life: Disposable battery hearing aids can last significantly longer than rechargeable ones, which require nightly charging. Depending on the type of hearing aid, batteries can last anywhere from 5 to 14 days for a typical 14-hour day of use.

• Portable batteries: Because the batteries are compact, you can always carry extras when you’re out and about. As a result, one won’t need to worry about the battery dying during the day because you can easily perform the short swap from anywhere.

Even though they could be convenient, they do have certain drawbacks.

• Changing batteries can be challenging: For some people, changing the batteries can be especially difficult because of the hearing aid’s small size. Some people may find the process upsetting, while others may struggle with dexterity concerns.

• Batteries can be unsafe and have no positive effects on the environment: Small lithium-ion button-style batteries power hearing aids, and while they are quite useful, they do have certain drawbacks. If you frequently interact with younger children and pets, more caution and safety precautions should be taken because swallowing batteries can have serious consequences. With an average of over 100 batteries used annually for a pair of hearing aids, the concept of throwaway batteries is seen as harmful to the environment as well.

Nowadays it has become possible to purchase hearing aids without a prescription. People with mild to moderate hearing loss may benefit from over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids, which are available in stores and online. 

At Kirtikar Sound UP, an audiologist or hearing aid expert can recommend hearing aids for those with severe or complex hearing loss based on a medical examination before a hearing aid is fitted and adjusted. Lately, it depends on the user’s choice of which kind of devices they prefer to use.