About Battery charger for hearing aids, Hearing aids help improve hearing and comprehension speech in people with hearing loss.
Such people relieve their hearing strain with these devices.
Earlier, hearing aids were not that efficient; however, with the advancement in technologies, there are hearing aids that offer more clarity and convenience to people using them.
One such advancement is in their batteries.
Modern hearing aids use rechargeable lithium-ion batteries and thus have become a preferred choice for audiologists and end consumers.
In this blog post, we will read about rechargeable hearing aids and their battery charger.
The technology of rechargeable hearing aids:
Almost every technology you see and use daily comes with a charger, which is the case with hearing aids.
Nowadays, you can charge your digital hearing aids just like your smartphones, and there is no need for frequency battery changing, as was done earlier.
However, due to their low power output, they were not popular among the masses. Still, the recent advancements in hearing aid technology have brought up high-quality rechargeable hearing aids that provide the entire day’s power.
Earlier, hearing aids came with nickel metal hydride batteries (NiMH), but modern hearing aids have lithium-ion or silver-zinc batteries.
As a result, there is a complete transformation in the performance of these devices.
People using them have accepted that they experience better sound quality without fearing losing power over time.
Hearing aids batteries
For how long do rechargeable hearing aid batteries last?
A rechargeable hearing aid battery takes around 3-4 hours to charge fully.
On complete charging, it can last for the next 24 hours. Although they also need replacement over time, the average time is about 3 years.
Advantages and disadvantages of hearing aids with rechargeable batteries:
Rechargeable hearing aids have been on the market for some time with their pros and cons.
Advantages of using rechargeable batteries:
- Longer shelf life: Modern hearing aids use lithium-ion batteries, which can provide power for up to 30 hours and last 5 years before replacement. However, the shelf life depends on the use and the hearing aid model.
- Safe option: Earlier hearing aids had disposable button batteries which were dangerous for kids and pets if swallowed accidentally. There is no such risk in rechargeable hearing aids.
- Environmentally friendly: As these are rechargeable batteries, you contribute less waste to the environment over a year. However, remember to dispose of it correctly, as all batteries are environmentally hazardous.
- Easier handling: As you need not change the batteries often, rechargeable batteries are easier to handle than disposable button batteries, which have very small sizes.
Disadvantages of rechargeable batteries:
- No user control: In most rechargeable hearing aids, batteries come encased in an instrument, so removing them yourself is difficult.
- Though the replacement time comes in 3-4 years, you will have to visit the specialist and wait until the batteries are replaced, which can be inconvenient for the user.
- Dependency on charging: Hearing aids’ rechargeable batteries need everyday charging, and it takes around 3-4 hours to charge the batteries.
- If you disturb the charging cycle and assume the battery will last for the day, it can stop working anytime.
- Further, any dysfunctionality in the charger or the cord can also put you in a difficult situation.
- Extra upfront cost: People may believe that rechargeable hearing aids cost them lesser than traditional hearing aids.
- However, that’s not always true. Rechargeable hearing aids involve an extra upfront cost of the charging unit.
- Further, you must not forget the cost of buying replacement batteries, which is technically included in the hearing instrument price.
- The only fact is that you may spend less over the lifetime of the hearing aid as you buy fewer batteries than disposable ones.
- Lesser hearing aids options: Rechargeable hearing aids must be worn behind the ear, inserting the speaker into the ear.
- Some people prefer smaller models which can fit completely in the ear.
- If you are one of them, you may have to opt for replaceable battery hearing aids.
Three simple steps to recharge your hearing aid:
- Firstly, connect the charger to the power outlet with the help of an integrated cable.
- Put the hearing instrument in the charging pot, which will start charging through contactless inductive charging.
- Monitor the charging status with the discreet LED lights.
Inster the hearing aids into the charging port
Extending the life of your batteries:
You must keep your hearing aids in good condition to last longer, operate efficiently, and offer healthy hearing conditions, and here are some tips for maintaining your hearing aids to extend their life:
When you are charging your hearing aids, follow these steps:
Step 1:
Understand that whether you use a desktop or a smart charger, you can know whether they are working with the help of the LED light.
The light turns on when you connect the charger to the wall socket.
Step 2:
Once the battery charger for the hearing aid is ready, place the hearing aid on the little shelf of the charger with the speaker facing down.
There are two slots for the right and the left hearing aid, which you can identify with the help of colorful dots.
In general, the red dot indicates the right hearing aid slot, and the blue one means the left hearing aid slot.
Some smart chargers also come with a lid you can close while hearing aids are charging. The lid ensures protection and proper storage of the hearing aids.
When you open the lid, the lights on the hearing aid will indicate the charging status.
Step 3:
After you leave the hearing aid on charging for 3-4 hours, check the light status; if it is red or orange, it means it is still charging, and if it turns green, it means the device is fully charged and ready to use.
Don’t worry about the charging status; the charger stops charging once the hearing aids are fully charged.
Powering lithium-ion chargers for best results
When using a lithium-ion battery charger, insert a USB plug into the power plug and then plug it into the wall socket.
When you place the hearing aids on the charger, it should be connected to the power source.
If not, hearing aids will drain their battery as they turn on after placing them on the charger.
Some smart chargers also have a built-in lithium-ion battery that works as a power bank.
Connecting the charger to the power source will charge the hearing aid and the built-in battery.
On the other hand, when you unplug the charger from the power source, the charger enters the power bank mode so that you can charge the hearing aid when you don’t have a power socket around.
Drying hearing devices using Dri-Aid Kit or smart chargers
As modern hearing aids have rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, you must keep them dry and protect them from high temperatures.
If your hearing aids get wet or sweaty, use traditional Dri-Aid systems with a sealed container to remove the damaging moisture quickly and easily.
These systems may take some time to remove moisture but are affordable options.
Alternatively, you can also use smart chargers, which automatically remove moisture from the hearing aids while charging.
Proper care and handling:
The running time of all hearing aids depends on several factors, and you can still extend their life by implementing different ways and enhancing the performance of the batteries.
Proper care by handling the factors such as:
- Streaming mode, requiring more energy;
- Hours used every day;
- Moisture exposure;
- Accidental storage of hearing aids in warm temperatures, near metallic things like keys, or in a humid environment;
- Features and types of hearing aid you use;
- Improper activation of hearing aids once you remove them from the battery tab.
Troubleshooting and safety:
Even if you do all things right or when you get a new battery, there are chances that your hearing aid does not function as expected.
Before going to the hearing aid specialist, try these few things to troubleshoot such issues.
- Sometimes, you may not give enough time for the battery to activate after removing it from the battery tab.
- Wait for some time, and then check.
- At times, the battery terminal of the hearing aid may drain the complete battery and become dead.
- Your battery surface may be dented, which may not establish proper contact with the hearing aid’s battery terminal.
Conclusion:
Undoubtedly, rechargeable hearing aids are more efficient and reliable than their earlier counterparts.
However, recharging the batteries through a battery charger for hearing aids should be done correctly for the long life of the device.
Use hearing aids from a reputed brand only, and remember the above tips while using and charging them.
Further, if you need help with the battery charger cables, contact Cloom, who deals in a wide range of cable assemblies and wiring harnesses.