Rechargeable Hearing Aids: The Good, the Bad, and How to Find a Quality, Affordable Pair

Why are a growing number of patients choosing hearing aids with rechargeable batteries? And how can I find a quality pair of rechargeables I can afford?

Recent advancements in hearing aid technology have been nothing short of life-changing. For example, new sound processing technologies have skyrocketed speech understanding in noisy environments. Better microphones and speakers have boosted the quality of music listening. Hearing aid engineers have also made subtle style adjustments to upgrade the daily comfort of wearing and using their products.

More recently, groundbreaking innovations in rechargeable hearing aids have taken center stage. This article focuses on those innovations by taking a deep dive into the world of rechargeable hearing aids. Not only will we look at the advantages and disadvantages of rechargeable hearing aids, but we will also review the high-quality, affordable rechargeable hearing aids from MDHearing.

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What Types of Hearing Aid Batteries Are Available?

There are three types of hearing aid batteries on the market today:

Disposable batteries: Disposable batteries—or “button” batteries—last anywhere from 3 to 14 days depending on several factors. After that, you need to manually replace the batteries with fresh ones. Factors that shorten or extend the life of a disposable hearing aid battery include:

The type and size of the battery
The type and size of hearing aid device
The hours of usage per day
The level of sound amplification, and
The level of technology.

Rechargeable batteries: Rechargeable hearing aid batteries are permanently installed in the device. A single charge generally provides enough energy for one or two days of clear hearing. After that, you have to place the hearing aids in a docking station or charging case. Most patients with rechargeable hearing aids put their devices in the charging station overnight. Then, they’re ready for another day of hearing when they wake up in the morning.

Disposable-rechargeable batteries: Disposable-rechargeable hearing aids are the least common type of rechargeable hearing aid. You must physically remove the batteries to recharge them in a charging station each night. These batteries generally last several months before you need to replace them.

Each of the above categories is distinct and separate from the others. For example, you cannot buy a pair of rechargeable batteries to use in your disposable battery hearing aids. Nor can you buy a pair of disposable batteries to put in your rechargeable aids. In this respect, patients may want to carefully consider which type of hearing aid battery technology is best for their needs before making a purchase decision.

Will Rechargeable Hearing Aids Fit My Level of Hearing Loss?

Most models of rechargeable hearing aids are appropriate for most patients with mild to moderately-severe hearing loss. Approximately 94% of hearing loss patients fall into the category of mild to moderately-severe hearing loss. Thus, it’s highly likely that most rechargeable aids will be a good match for your needs.

For patients with severe to profound hearing loss, several hearing aid manufacturers offer “power” models to fit their hearing needs, but many are not rechargeable. Therefore, if you have severe to profound hearing loss and would like a set of rechargeable aids, be sure to check out several different brands.

If you want to check the severity of your hearing right now, we recommend that you take the free online hearing test from MDHearing.

The free online hearing test from MDHearing only takes 3 minutes. You get your results immediately and you can do it in the privacy of your home. Click here to evaluate your hearing now.

Your online hearing test from MDHearing comes with an optional free telehealth consultation with one of our hearing professionals. Your MDHearing specialist will help you understand whether a rechargeable aid from MDHearing could be a good fit for your needs. Or, they may recommend you should visit a hearing clinic for an in-person evaluation.

Advantages of Rechargeable Hearing Aids

Understanding the good, the bad, and the wonderful of rechargeable hearing aids will help you decide whether a rechargeable is right for you. The following advantages show why some choose rechargeable hearing aids instead of traditional aids with disposable batteries:

Advantage #1: Easier for those with weak or painful fingers.

Disposable hearing aid batteries are small, hard to handle, and easy to lose. This is especially true when they drop on the floor and roll under the refrigerator or get lost in the carpet. Many hearing loss patients also suffer from dexterity issues or arthritic fingers. This can make it hard to open the battery compartments on hearing aids, as well as the battery packaging.

According to Sandra Porps, Au.D., Head of Audiology for MDHearing:

Rechargeable hearing aids are very easy for anyone with finger dexterity issues. These patients never have to worry about fiddling with fresh batteries every few days.”

Advantage #2: Convenience of just dropping your hearing aids in the charging station.

Patients with rechargeable hearing aids love the fact that all they need to do is place their aids in the charging station at night. Most MDHearing customers keep their charging stations by the bedside or on the bathroom counter. As they go through their nightly routines, they brush their teeth, remove their earrings, take off their hearing aids, and effortlessly slip them in the charging station.

That’s all it takes, and your hearing aids are ready for a full day of crystal-clear hearing when you wake up in the morning!

Advantage #3: Safer for children and pets.

Disposable hearing aid batteries are poisonous when swallowed. They also present a choking hazard. This can create a safety risk for curious children who are more likely to play with the batteries or find them on the floor. Hearing aid batteries are also dangerous when pets swallow them.

In contrast, a rechargeable hearing aid doesn’t have these moving parts. As such, they are a safer option around children and pets.

Advantage #4: Longer battery life and faster charging times.

The latest rechargeable hearing aids feature advanced lithium-ion batteries. These high-tech batteries offer faster charging times—usually within 3 to 4 hours. After a single charge, the latest hearing aids provide a longer life before they need another charge. Most hearing aid companies also provide a warranty on the batteries in their rechargeable aids to replace/repair them within a certain timeframe if there is a problem. Furthermore, hearing aid companies like MDHearing provide options to service or replace expired rechargeable batteries so you don’t have to purchase an entirely new set of aids.

Therefore, if it’s been a long time since you investigated rechargeable hearing aid technology, you might want to look again. They’ve come a long way in recent years.

The rechargeable MDHearing VOLT includes lithium-ion batteries that only take 90 minutes to charge. As MDHearing’s longest-lasting rechargeable, the VOLT offers 20 hours of listening time until it needs another charge.

Advantage #5: Less toxic waste and better for the environment.

Those tiny disposable hearing aid batteries might be small, but the chemicals inside them are toxic and bad for the environment. With rechargeable hearing aids, you are not constantly buying and throwing toxic “button” batteries in the trash—which is a much more eco-friendly option.

Disadvantages of Rechargeable Hearing Aids

Now that you understand the benefits of rechargeable hearing aids, let’s take a look at the potential disadvantages that could be important to some patients:

Disadvantage #1: Charging delays and dependence on a charging device.

Rechargeable hearing aids can take anywhere from 2 to 6 hours to fully charge. Some patients are good at establishing a routine and putting their hearing aids into the charging unit each night before bed. But other patients find it difficult to remember to recharge their hearing aids every night. Others struggle with forgetting their charging unit when they travel.

For patients who find it challenging to establish a charging routine, disposable batteries could be a better choice.

The MDHearing VOLT MAX achieves a full charge in just 90 minutes.

Disadvantage #2: The higher price of rechargeable hearing aids.

Rechargeable hearing aids tend to cost more than aids with disposable batteries. Additionally, at many hearing clinics, patients have to pay as much as $300 extra for the required charging unit. That said, the additional upfront costs of rechargeable hearing aids often turn into savings over the long term because you don’t have to continually purchase disposable batteries anymore.

If the high cost of rechargeable aids at hearing clinics is a problem, patients may want to consider the high-quality, highly affordable rechargeable hearing aid options at MDHearing. MDHearing rechargeables fit any sized budget.

All MDHearing rechargeables include a portable charging case at no additional cost.

Disadvantage #3: Rechargeable hearing aids require service from a technician when replacing the batteries.

Rechargeable hearing aid batteries will eventually lose their efficacy and need replacing. Unlike disposable batteries, you cannot simply pop them out and put in new ones. You may have to mail your hearing aids to the manufacturer or take them to the hearing clinic for servicing—and pay a fee for the new replacement battery.

At MDHearing, we provide affordable replacements for all our rechargeable hearing aids. If your rechargeable MDHearing device needs new batteries, mail it to us. For an affordable fee, we will replace the entire hearing aid and return it to you in less than a week. The replacement fee for the VOLT is $89.95. The replacement fee for the VOLT MAX is $109.95.

Try a Pair of FDA-Registered Rechargeable Hearing Aids from MDHearing Risk-Free!

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At MDHearing, we have two popular styles of rechargeable hearing aids—the MDHearing VOLT and the MDHearing VOLT MAX. Both are FDA-registered hearing aids designed to meet the needs of 94% of patients with hearing loss, including patients with mild to moderately-severe hearing loss. They also come with a free charging case. The VOLT MAX’s charging case will charge your hearing aids up to three times before you need to plug it back into a wall outlet.

These affordable rechargeable hearing aids offer the following:

MDHearing VOLT

The VOLT offers long-lasting rechargeable power and cutting-edge audio quality. With its advanced noise management, the VOLT is ideal for chatting in restaurants, watching television, listening to music, or attending a meeting. It also features dual microphones which clarify voices in high-noise environments.

The MDHearing VOLT is currently on sale for a limited time with a price of just $299.98 a pair!

MDHearing VOLT MAX

The VOLT MAX is another long-lasting rechargeable hearing aid option packed with state-of-the-art technology previously only available at a hearing clinic. This top-of-the-line hearing aid combines an advanced processor with dual directional microphones for optimal hearing. It also includes an optional smartphone app and advanced customization features for your specific hearing needs—now you can enjoy personalized hearing with clinic-level care from the comfort of your home.

The MDHearing VOLT MAX is currently on sale for a limited time with a price of just $699.98 a pair!

MDHearing Rechargeable Hearing Aid Reviews

Here are recent reviews of the rechargeable MDHearing VOLT:

When I first tried them on I was getting a lot of feedback… I called customer support and spoke to a really cool gentleman named Travis… He suggested I try the closed tips… Well, I did and they work wonderfully!!! These hearing aids produce the exact same clear sounds as my $2,400.00 Dots by Resound… I forget I’m wearing them… Great product… Natural hearing… Thanks a million!!!” – Sammy B., Feb. 24, 2022

I had a pair of Miracle Ear hearing aids I paid $4,750.00 for. They were in and out of the shop a lot! I’ve only had my MDHearing VOLT for about 2 weeks, but I can hear as good with these $600.00 dollar hearing aids as the $4,750.00 dollar Miracle Ear ones! I would definitely give a 5-star and encourage anyone to try them!” – Jack C., Jan. 24, 2022

Both the MDHearing VOLT and VOLT MAX come with a risk-free, 45-day trial period. If you try MDHearing and you don’t think it’s the best match for your needs, send them back to us for a complete refund.

Final Thoughts on Rechargeable Hearing Aids

As you’ve seen in this article, rechargeable hearing aids offer numerous advantages that make them an attractive option. However, they can also be extremely expensive. With an average price of around $4,500 a pair for rechargeables at a traditional hearing clinic, many patients can't afford them.

Fortunately, if you're a budget-conscious patient who wants high-quality rechargeable aids, MDHearing can help. As a direct-to-consumer hearing aid manufacturer with a passion for offering quality hearing care, our rechargeable hearing aids are priced as low as $299.98 a pair. This makes MDHearing rechargeables the perfect choice for almost everyone.

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