Hearing impaired Gadgeteers now have an alternative to switching out tiny batteries for their hearing aids. The MDHearingAid VOLT hearing aids have built in lithium-ion batteries run for 18-22 hours on a single charge and can be recharged using a simple micro USB cable. The VOLT hearing aids also feature dual microphones and a one-size-fits-most design that does not require a fitting appointment. The MDHearingAid VOLT hearing aids are priced at $549.99 per ear which sounds pretty pricey. So I googled hearing aids to see what they are typically priced. I was surprised to find that custom hearing aids are priced from $1500 and up to almost $5000. Wow! Of course, these are more expensive solutions which are much smaller than the VOLTS. I then searched to see if there are other hearing aids that can be recharged and I found the HearClear HCRC hearing aids that look very similar to the VOLTS and also feature built-in batteries that can be recharged via USB. They only cost $199 each, which is significantly less than the VOLTS, but they only have a run time of about 16 hrs per charge vs. the 18-22hr runtime of the VOLTS. You can also find Personal Sound Amplification Products (PSAPs) on Amazon for less than $50 each, but they are not FDA-registered medical devices and are not intended to compensate for impaired hearing. With them, you’ll be back dealing with the tiny batteries. If you’re intersted in the VOLTS, visit MDHearingAid.com for more info. But when it’s all said and done, the best advice is to get your hearing checked by a certified audiologist before you buy anything to stick in your ears.
