Disposable vs. Rechargeable Hearing Aid Batteries: Which is Right for You?

Hearing aids, like other electronic devices, require battery power to continue running. Depending on the type of hearing aid that your audiologist recommends, you may have the option to use standard disposable batteries or rechargeable batteries. 

This changes the way that you would care for and recharge your hearing aid. With disposable batteries, you would replace the battery when it gets low with a fresh one. But, with a rechargeable battery, you instead charge your hearing aid to replenish the battery.

Both kinds of batteries have their pros and cons. Here’s a breakdown of disposable and rechargeable hearing aid batteries to help you to make up your mind.

Disposable Batteries

Disposable batteries have been the traditional way of keeping hearing aids charged for years and have only recently started to be supplanted by the rechargeable option. To start with, if you’ve been using hearing aids for years, you may be used to disposable batteries. 

These batteries usually last a lot longer than rechargeable ones before needing to be replaced. Depending on how long you use your hearing aid each day and what kind of hearing aid it is, your battery can last between five to fourteen days. 

Disposable batteries are also tiny, which means that you can easily carry some spare batteries with you wherever you go. This small size also means that you can use disposable batteries in smaller, less discrete hearing aids. Some hearing aid designs need this kind of battery.

However, changing batteries can be tricky. They’re very small and hearing aids are both fiddly and delicate. Some people might find the process stressful, and those with dexterity problems can struggle as well, especially because you must take care not to drop or damage the hearing aid.

One issue is that disposable hearing aid batteries can be dangerous to pets or small children, especially when swallowed. Also, throwing out batteries is considered bad for the environment, as the materials used to make them are lost.

Rechargeable Batteries

Rechargeable batteries are the modern option, as they’ve only been relatively recently introduced to hearing aid designs. A hearing aid has to be designed to accommodate these batteries, so speak to your audiologist if you prefer this option.

Most rechargeable batteries will keep their charge for at least a full day, which means that your day is never interrupted by that dreaded low charge alert or a sudden distortion in your hearing as your battery dies. You do have to charge them every night, however, as they don’t hold as much charge as longer-lasting disposable batteries.

Many people find it much easier and more convenient to plug their hearing aid in rather than fiddle with tiny disposable batteries. Hearing aids will usually come with a simple charging case, so all you have to do is put it in the right position before you go to sleep, and you can wake up to fully charged hearing aids. 

There are some issues with rechargeable batteries, however. The dependency on a charger is usually more convenient, but it does mean that you can’t carry it around as easily as you could spare batteries. If you forget to charge your hearing aids, then you may have to go without until you can get back home and charge them.

Another issue is the fact that, if your battery is faulty, you can’t deal with it. You can’t simply remove and replace a faulty rechargeable battery, but you instead have to get it repaired by an audiologist. This puts your hearing aid out of commission until it’s fully repaired. 

Making the Decision

When deciding whether to go for a hearing aid that uses disposable batteries or rechargeable batteries, you should always consult your audiologist. They will know the ins and outs of your hearing aid and can give advice on the best option for you.

People who struggle with fine motor skills will likely find that the rechargeable battery option is more convenient for them, as will children. Hearing aids are fiddly at the best of times, and it's best not to risk breaking them.

However, if you aren’t concerned about this issue, then you might prefer the relative freedom that disposable batteries provide. They last longer and you can more easily find replacement batteries than a replacement charger. 

The audiologists at Rocky Mountain Hearing and Balance can go through the different options with you and find something that will suit your needs. Contact us at (801) 685-3456 to learn more.