5 of the Best Rechargeable Hearing Aids of 2022
We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process.
Some hearing aids use button batteries that are not replaceable. Others have batteries that are built in.
“The effectiveness of your hearing aids won’t be affected by the type of batteries you use. There are advantages and disadvantages to battery types.”
Hearing aids with batteries have become very popular. We will detail the models from trusted manufacturers in this article.
- Starkey Livio Edge AI: custom-molded, in-the-ear hearing aids that include fall protection
- Phonak Audéo B-R: receiver-in-canal hearing aids that have a long lifespan
- Lively 2 Pro: moderately priced behind-the-ear hearing aids that are purchased online and don’t require a prescription
- Miracle-Ear ENERGY: available as behind-the-ear and in-the-ear hearing aids, with the behind-the-ear model being a good choice for profound hearing loss
- Kirkland Signature 10.0: budget-priced behind-the-ear hearing aids, available only at Costco Hearing Aid Centers
It used to be hard to find hearing aids that were not behind the ear. This has changed, and now there are more hearing aid choices. Specific features are included in rechargeable hearing aids.
“Let’s take a look”
The hearing aids on this list are from well-known manufacturers. We read reviews from customers across multiple sales sites to gauge features, such as:
- Time to charge.
- The battery life is not very long.
- Between charges.
- “The manufacturer’s warranty.”
- Customer service.
We looked at sites like Trustpilot and the Better Business Bureau to see if there were any customer complaints.
Hearing aids that are re-chargeable can be expensive. There are few options under $1,000 for hearing aids.
You can find a better price for the same hearing aids by shopping around.
The retailer or dealer you choose can determine the options that are important, such as free shipping and returns, and risk-free trials.
Pricing guide
“We used the manufacturer’s suggested retail price as a guide for hearing aids on this list. The cost is per hearing aid and includes a charging station.”
- $ = under $1,000
- $$ = $1,000-$2,500
- $$$ = $2,501-$3,500
- $$$$ = over $3,500
Starkey Livio Edge AI
- Price: $$$$
- Shipping time: varies by supplier, approximately 7-10 business days
These completely in-the-ear hearing aids from Starkey are custom-molded for a personal fit. They’re designed to provide clear sound with no feedback or distortion.
They are available in six neutral tones.
They are easy to handle because they attach to their charger. The company says that one 3-hour charge provides 24 hours of power.
Speech audibility can be improved by using built-in artificial intelligence, which is designed to improve speech audibility by using taps.
It is possible to stream phone calls and music.
Hearing aids can alert selected contacts.
You can use the hearing aids to control the apps.
Thrive Hearing Control is meant for your use. The Thrive app is available for iOS and Android devices.
Thrive Care is used by your selected contacts. You decide what to share with them through the Thrive app. Thrive Care is also available for iOS and Android devices.
Because a prescription is required for hearing aids, to buy Livio Edge devices you’ll want to find an audiologist or hearing aid professional who distributes Starkey hearing aids.
Pros
- It has no feedback in windy conditions, and is custom-molded for fit.
- The hearing aids are easy to use.
- It can alert your contacts if you fall.
- It has a streaming feature.
Cons
- This model can be expensive.
- It is only available from hearing aid dealers.
Phonak Audéo B-R
- Price: $$$$
- Shipping time: varies by supplier
The hearing aids are designed to provide 24 hours of use. It takes about 3 hours to get a full charge.
They use a system that automatically adjusts your hearing aids to your surroundings without the need for manual adjustments. Soft voices and single voices are homing in on.
You can download the myPhonak app for Android or iOS to create a profile and access hearing care resources.
The company says these hearing aids should last around 6 years.
To buy these, you’ll likely need to work with a local audiologist, hearing center, or other hearing aid professionals.
Pros
- These hearing aids are compatible with any phone.
- The company says that this model holds a charge for a full day even if you stream media for many hours.
- The automatic operating system eliminates the need for manual adjustments.
Cons
- It is very expensive when compared to other brands.
Lively 2 Pro
- Price: $$
- Shipping time: within 1 week via FedEx Ground
3 years of follow-up care is provided by Lively audiologists with these behind-the- ear hearing aids.
30 hours of power is provided by each 3-hour charge.
They are connected to any phone with a wireless connection.
They have less bells and whistles than other hearing aids. Lively sells directly to consumers, and their products are less expensive.
They are a good option for mild to moderate hearing loss, but not for severe to profound hearing loss.
You will take an online hearing test to get your hearing aids.
On-demand medical support and hearing aid adjustments are done through an app. The My Lively app is available for Android and iOS devices. To see what devices are most compatible with the app, you can visit the Lively compatibility page.
They are available in eight neutral tones.
They have a 3-year warranty and a 100 day money back guarantee.
“They don’t require a prescription for Lively Hearing aids, they are purchased directly on their website.”
Pros
- The hearing aids are less expensive than comparable brands.
- The price includes follow-up care with an audiologist for 3 years.
- There are tools for relief of tinnitus in the model.
Cons
- “Since these hearing aids don’t require a prescription, you may not get the same level of care or diagnosis that you would at an in-person audiologist appointment.”
- Hearing aids may not be appropriate for all levels of hearing loss.
Miracle-Ear ENERGY
- Price: $$$
- Shipping time: varies by supplier
These hearing aids are available in two different styles.
Mild to severe hearing loss can be treated with the receiver-in-canal hearing aids. They are less visible than the behind-the- ear model.
The behind-the- ear hearing aids are suitable for mild to profound hearing loss.
Both types supply feedback cancellation.
A quick half-hour charge is designed to provide 8 hours of use. A full 3-hour charge is designed to provide 19 to 24 hours of power.
They have an environmental feature that will adjust sound to your surroundings without the need for manual adjustments.
You can stream phone calls and music from your phone with either type of connection.
Miracle-Ear operates many of their own stores nationwide, if you’d like to work with them directly.
Pros
- The model is appropriate for mild to profound hearing loss.
- It eliminates the need for manual program changes.
Cons
- You can only buy it at a store. You may have to travel to get to one of the locations.
- It can be expensive and not suitable for all budgets.
Kirkland Signature 10.0
- Price: $
- Shipping time: up to 2 weeks
These behind-the-ear hearing aids are available through Costco Hearing Aid Centers. You must have a Costco membership to shop there.
They are designed to produce sound similar to high quality headphones.
A full charge is designed to provide 24 hours of sound.
You can stream phone calls, music, and TV shows from two devices.
Settings automatically adjust for noisy environments and speech optimization. But you can also manually adjust volume and noise cancellation through the Easy Line Remote app, available for Android or iOS.
In 2021, there was a MAUDE (Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience) Adverse Event Report filed for this product due to injury from entrapment of the device. This is important to keep in mind, but it’s currently the only report of this issue.
Pros
- They are less expensive than other manufacturers.
- This model has a high quality sound.
- You can answer your phone or play music with your hearing aids.
Cons
- You need to be a member of the club to shop in the Hearing Aid Center.
- Not every hearing aid center has an on-site audiologist. You may be seen by a different type of hearing professional.
Buying hearing aids can be difficult if you have never done it before.
The first step is to take an online hearing test. You can get a full examination from an audiologist. This will help you understand your hearing loss and give you guidance.
“Hearing aids can help you hear the world around you, but they won’t restore your hearing loss.”
There are different types of hearing aids. Your level of hearing loss, comfort, and desire for device invisibility may all play a role in the type you choose.
Buy hearing aids from trusted manufacturers. If you are shopping for bargain items, remember that a deal is often too good to be true.
Tinnitus masking and wind noise reduction are features that can affect hearing quality.
Cost can be affected by features such as remote controls andBluetooth.
If you are new to the pair, you have time to decide if it is a good fit.
Give yourself time to learn how to use hearing aids. Your voice may sound strange to you. As time goes on, you will be able to appreciate the difference hearing aids can make in your quality of life.
If you are choosing between hearing aids that have one-time-use batteries and hearing aids that have rechargeable batteries, you should consider these things.
Ease of use
Rechargeable hearing aids don’t require manual removal and replacement of small button batteries. It can be challenging to swap out button batteries, especially if you have arthritis, diabetic nerve damage, poor vision, or limited dexterity for any reason.
Safety
Button batteries can be dropped on the floor, left on a table or lost if you have trouble removing and installing them.
Small children and pets can easily chew button batteries.
The batteries can be mistaken for pills.
Ingested button batteries are a dangerous health risk. They can cause internal burns or throat pain.
Convenience
Hearing aids can be charged in a charging case. A charge lasts 24 hours.
“Hearing aids are usually charged while people are asleep. It takes a few hours for most hearing aids to charge. Leaving them in the charging station for more time won’t harm them.”
Hearing aids that use batteries are called rechargeable hearing aids. The batteries have a door. The batteries are locked. Both types are long-term.
The lifespan of batteries is typically 4 to 5 years. A professional needs to replace batteries that are about a year old.
disposable button batteries need to be changed every 10 days If you do a lot of streaming, you may need to change them more often. It is easy to run low on power with disposable button batteries, so traveling with extras is essential.
Cost
Hearing aids with disposable batteries are more expensive than hearing aids with rechargeable batteries. Over time, rechargeable hearing aids can be a cost-effective option.
The cost of a button battery depends on the type of hearing aids you have. disposable batteries are used quicker than in the past.
You can expect to pay around $100 to $150 annually for disposable batteries. If your hearing aids last for 5 years, you will have to pay hundreds of dollars in additional costs to power them up.
Environmental impact
Button batteries take a toll on the environment.
Button batteries contain mercury. Since the chances of the batteries leaking during use are small, this doesn’t make them a health hazard to you. What it does mean is button batteries should be recycled and disposed of properly.
Many of these batteries end up in the trash. They can leak and cause harm. They can cause problems in the air if they are incinerated.
Billions of batteries, including button batteries, are improper disposal every year. This could make them a significant environmental hazard.
“This doesn’t mean that hearing aid batteries are benign. These must be recycled and properly discarded in your community. They last for a long time, so there are less of them available.”
Hearing aids with disposable button batteries are an alternative to hearing aids with batteries. They can be less expensive and popular than you might think.
HairMaxs are not FDA approved for people with hearing loss. Some people with mild to moderate hearing loss say these devices help amplify their voices.
PSAPs are a viable option if your hearing loss is small. PSAPs vary greatly in quality and cost. It is probably not the best.
What is the best brand of rechargeable hearing aids?
There are many brands of hearing aids. It is possible that you are best for someone else. Hearing aids that have features that make them stand out are the best type for you.
How long do rechargeable hearing aids hold a charge?
This is dependent on the brand and model you choose. Hearing aids need to be charged for 3 hours a day. Hearing aid models can hold a charge for up to 7 days if you do a lot of streaming.
Can you recharge hearing aids?
Hearing aids that are charged in a case are called re-chargeable. If your hearing aids use disposable batteries, you will need to change them manually.
Do rechargeable hearing aids work?
Yes. Hearing aids with special features such as masking and speech enhancement for clarity of sound in noisy environments are popular.
“There are two styles of hearing aids: in-the- ear and behind-the- ear. Many brands are cost effective and convenient because their batteries are long- lasting and don’t need constant changing.”
There are many brands to choose from. When buying hearing aids, always look for a reliable manufacturer, provider, and retailer.
Corey Whelan is a freelance writer and reproductive health professional who specializes in health and wellness content. She has spent much of the last two decades educating people about infertility and family building options. Whelan is a science nerd, and her heroes span the gamut from Temple Grandin to her wonderful mom. She shares her life in Brooklyn, NY, with her all-grown-up, fascinating children and their wacky shelter dogs. Follow her on Twitter.
