If you’ve ever had a hearing aid stop working at the worst possible moment, chances are the battery was the culprit!

Traditional hearing aids rely on small, disposable batteries that need replacing regularly. Some people find they need to change their batteries every few days, while others can go a couple of weeks without needing a replacement. How often you replace them will depend on:

• The type of hearing aid
• How many hours you are wearing them per day
• Which features (i.e. Bluetooth streaming) are being used

Common signs that your hearing aid batteries need replacing may include poor sound quality, unreliable performance, or the hearing aid stopping altogether. Some devices will let you know their batteries are low by beeping.

Disposable hearing aid batteries are widely available in New Zealand at pharmacies, supermarkets, and some hearing providers. We recommend keeping spares on hand, especially if you’re travelling, to ensure you’re never left without your devices.

Replacing hearing aid batteries is a relatively simple process. However, it takes some practice and can be fiddly, easy to forget, and inconvenient, particularly if you have poor eyesight or struggle with your dexterity.

An alternative to disposable batteries is rechargeable hearing aids. Similar to your phone or laptop, rechargeable hearing aids are charged overnight and ready to use during the day. Some people prefer rechargeable hearing aids simply because they’re easier to manage and one less thing to think about.

However, if you have hearing aids with disposable batteries that were purchased somewhere else, you’re always welcome to drop in and ask us questions.

At Resonate Health, our Unlimited customers use rechargeable ReSound Vivia 9 hearing aids, so replacing batteries isn’t part of their day-to-day maintenance. Many of our customers find this more convenient. So, if you’re currently using battery-powered hearing aids and finding replacements frustrating, it may be worth considering a rechargeable option.

If you’re unsure what type of hearing aid you’re using, or whether a rechargeable model would suit you, our team is always happy to chat and answer your questions so you have all the information you need to decide what works best for you.