You've probably heard the term smart power at least once. But what does it mean, exactly? More importantly, should it inform your choice of hearing aid?

Hearing aids really have evolved at the speed of sound.

Perhaps the clearest example of this is the proliferation of new smart power hearing aids. Essentially, this is just a fancy term for rechargeable. Gone are the days of fiddling with minuscule batteries and specialized tools. 

Many modern hearing aids now have a fully rechargeable core, meaning all you need to do in order to get them back up and running after a full day of usage is a charger or charging dock. Some docks, like Rexton's Smart Power Charger, even include extra functionality like drying or UV disinfection. In the context of the broader tech sector, this probably doesn't seem particularly novel or revolutionary. 

But for devices as complex and sophisticated as hearing aids, it's an exciting development and one which can potentially save you both time and money. Note that we said potentially. For all their benefits, rechargeable hearing aids do have a few drawbacks, as well. 

First, if your battery needs to be replaced, you'll likely need to visit an audiologist. Rechargeable hearing aids aren't generally made to be taken apart by anyone without specialized training. You're also dependent on your charger ― and if it breaks or you leave it at home, you generally can't just run out to a convenience store to buy a new one. 

That aside, there's little reason to purchase a traditional hearing aid over a rechargeable one. With the vast array of choices available to you, you're bound to find something that will suit your lifestyle. We'll help you get started with a few recommendations of our own.

Before we do, however, note that even if you have an older hearing aid, that doesn't mean you're out of luck ― plenty of third-party options exist for retrofitting non-rechargeable devices with recharge capability, most notably ZPower.

 

Phonak

Phonak was the first hearing aid manufacturer on the market to install lithium-ion batteries in its hearing aids with the Audéo B. Since that product's release, it has continually iterated on and expanded its product line. Today nearly every behind-the-ear hearing aid made by Phonak is rechargeable, including several older models. 

Phonak's Audéo Paradise is their current flagship, with features such as personalized noise cancellation, seamless wireless streaming, and built-in artificial intelligence.

 

Oticon

Whereas Phonak was the first manufacturer to experiment with rechargeable hearing aids, Oticon> claims to be responsible for the world's first Internet-connected hearing aid, Oticon Opn. The Oticon Opn S is its flagship, offering 360 degree sound, intuitive connectivity, and optimization to prevent issues like feedback. The Opn S uses Oticon's miniRITE R technology, which the manufacturer claims provides a full day of battery life after just three hours of charging. 

This technology is also present in other hearing aids, such as the Oticon More and Oticon Opn Play.

 

Signia

Signia's Styletto X family of hearing aids is easily a contender for the best on the market, particularly with their ability to charge on the go. Each Styletto X hearing aid is equipped with a Qi-enabled travel charger, allowing up to four days of power without having to even look at an outlet. Pair this with their stylish design, AI-enabled smartphone app, and excellent sound quality, and Signia could be the perfect choice for anyone whose career requires them to work long hours.

 

WIDEX

If you'd rather have a hearing aid that's next to invisible, WIDEX has you covered with the MOMENT micro Receiver In Canal (mRIC). Even though it's the smallest rechargeable RIC hearing aid on the market, it still boasts formidable battery life and sound quality that puts even some larger models to shame. The MOMENT mRIC is also resistant to moisture and corrosion.

 

Other Options

The brands we've cataloged above are far from your only choices as far as rechargeable hearing aids. Other notable manufacturers include Unitron, Starkey, Philips, Resound, and Beltone. The options are nearly endless, and with a bit of research, you're bound to find something that fits.

We can help with that, too. Feel free to reach out, and our professional audiologists will work with you to determine not only your hearing needs but which brand would be the best fit possible.

 

 

You've probably heard the term smart power at least once. But what does it mean, exactly? More importantly, should it inform your choice of hearing aid?

Hearing aids really have evolved at the speed of sound.

Perhaps the clearest example of this is the proliferation of new smart power hearing aids. Essentially, this is just a fancy term for rechargeable. Gone are the days of fiddling with minuscule batteries and specialized tools. 

Many modern hearing aids now have a fully rechargeable core, meaning all you need to do in order to get them back up and running after a full day of usage is a charger or charging dock. Some docks, like Rexton's Smart Power Charger, even include extra functionality like drying or UV disinfection. In the context of the broader tech sector, this probably doesn't seem particularly novel or revolutionary. 

But for devices as complex and sophisticated as hearing aids, it's an exciting development and one which can potentially save you both time and money. Note that we said potentially. For all their benefits, rechargeable hearing aids do have a few drawbacks, as well. 

First, if your battery needs to be replaced, you'll likely need to visit an audiologist. Rechargeable hearing aids aren't generally made to be taken apart by anyone without specialized training. You're also dependent on your charger ― and if it breaks or you leave it at home, you generally can't just run out to a convenience store to buy a new one. 

That aside, there's little reason to purchase a traditional hearing aid over a rechargeable one. With the vast array of choices available to you, you're bound to find something that will suit your lifestyle. We'll help you get started with a few recommendations of our own.

Before we do, however, note that even if you have an older hearing aid, that doesn't mean you're out of luck ― plenty of third-party options exist for retrofitting non-rechargeable devices with recharge capability, most notably ZPower.

 

Phonak

Phonak was the first hearing aid manufacturer on the market to install lithium-ion batteries in its hearing aids with the Audéo B. Since that product's release, it has continually iterated on and expanded its product line. Today nearly every behind-the-ear hearing aid made by Phonak is rechargeable, including several older models. 

Phonak's Audéo Paradise is their current flagship, with features such as personalized noise cancellation, seamless wireless streaming, and built-in artificial intelligence.

 

Oticon

Whereas Phonak was the first manufacturer to experiment with rechargeable hearing aids, Oticon claims to be responsible for the world's first Internet-connected hearing aid, Oticon Opn. The Oticon Opn S is its flagship, offering 360 degree sound, intuitive connectivity, and optimization to prevent issues like feedback. The Opn S uses Oticon's miniRITE R technology, which the manufacturer claims provides a full day of battery life after just three hours of charging. 

This technology is also present in other hearing aids, such as the Oticon More and Oticon Opn Play.

 

Signia

Signia's Styletto X family of hearing aids is easily a contender for the best on the market, particularly with their ability to charge on the go. Each Styletto X hearing aid is equipped with a Qi-enabled travel charger, allowing up to four days of power without having to even look at an outlet. Pair this with their stylish design, AI-enabled smartphone app, and excellent sound quality, and Signia could be the perfect choice for anyone whose career requires them to work long hours.

 

WIDEX

If you'd rather have a hearing aid that's next to invisible, WIDEX has you covered with the MOMENT micro Receiver In Canal (mRIC). Even though it's the smallest rechargeable RIC hearing aid on the market, it still boasts formidable battery life and sound quality that puts even some larger models to shame. The MOMENT mRIC is also resistant to moisture and corrosion.

 

Other Options

The brands we've cataloged above are far from your only choices as far as rechargeable hearing aids. Other notable manufacturers include Unitron, Starkey, Philips, Resound, and Beltone. The options are nearly endless, and with a bit of research, you're bound to find something that fits.

We can help with that, too. Feel free to reach out, and our professional audiologists will work with you to determine not only your hearing needs but which brand would be the best fit possible.

 

  

  

  

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