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As we celebrate Disability History Month, it’s essential to acknowledge both the progress and the continuing challenges in assistive technology. For those who rely on hearing aids, the environmental impact of these critical devices presents a significant opportunity for innovation and improvement.

Hearing aids are crucial for millions of people experiencing hearing loss. They play a vital role in forming social connections, enabling users to communicate effectively, enhancing their confidence, and significantly improving their quality of life. Yet the stigma around the condition and the use of hearing aids remains persistent. Concerns about the carbon footprint of hearing aids can create added pressure on users, leading to feelings of responsibility, anxiety, or guilt about their environmental impact, which may inadvertently heighten feelings of isolation.

Addressing these challenges and raising awareness about sustainable innovation in hearing aid production can help users feel supported rather than burdened, fostering inclusivity and reducing the stigma often associated with hearing loss. As we acknowledge the crucial role of hearing aids in promoting inclusion, it’s important to discuss their environmental impact without reinforcing negative stereotypes.

The Carbon Footprint of Hearing Aids

Like all electronic devices, hearing aids have a carbon footprint associated with their production, usage, and disposal. The annual carbon footprint for an individual bilateral hearing aid user ranges from 10-20 kg CO2e – equivalent to 25-50 miles driven in a car. This may seem minimal in isolation. However, when added up, the total annual direct carbon footprint of the hearing aid industry is between 100- 150 thousand tonnes CO2e – equivalent to 250-375 million miles driven in a car.

The Carbon Cost of Production

A lifecycle assessment (LCA) of hearing aids evaluates the environmental impacts associated with their entire lifecycle, from production to disposal. This assessment reveals that the materials used in hearing aids contribute significantly to their overall environmental impact.

PVC, commonly used in around-ear hearing protection aids, is particularly harmful due to its energy-intensive production process, generating approximately 67 kg of CO2e emissions for every kilogram produced. Acrylic and silicone, also prevalent in hearing aid manufacturing, pose significant environmental challenges. While silicone is not fully recyclable and contributes to waste, acrylic suffers from similar limitations, exhibiting poor recyclability and potential leaching of harmful substances throughout its lifecycle. These materials underscore broader issues related to plastic use, such as environmental persistence and the difficulties in effective recycling.

This situation highlights the urgent need for innovation in developing more circular alternatives for hearing aid production. By focusing on materials that can be recycled or repurposed, the industry can significantly reduce its environmental footprint and create more responsible solutions.

Environmental Impact of Hearing Aid Batteries

In addition to material concerns, hearing aids rely on batteries that also contribute to their environmental impact. Zinc-air (Zn-Air) batteries, the most commonly used type, have a substantial environmental footprint. In 2014, Dr. Ross Dueber estimated that more than 1.4 billion hearing aid batteries are disposed of in landfills, a figure expected to double every nine years. Once incinerated or released into landfills, these batteries can leak hazardous chemicals, contaminating the environment and affecting air and water quality.

Until three to five years ago, most hearing aids relied on disposable Zn-Air batteries, which were often not recycled and frequently discarded improperly. The first rechargeable hearing aids used nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH) batteries, providing convenience for users who struggled with battery insertion, as they could simply place the hearing aids on a wireless charger. However, NiMH batteries had a limited recharging capacity and shorter overall lifespan compared to newer technologies.

Recently, they have been replaced by rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, which offer improved performance, longer usage times, and enhanced sustainability. This shift toward lithium-ion technology is seen as a significant advancement, reducing the reliance on single-use Zn-Air batteries and contributing to a more circular approach in hearing aid production.

Rechargeable vs Non-Rechargeable Hearing Aids

An industry-first study commissioned by hearing aid manufacturer Signia in 2021 revealed that the relative environmental impact of rechargeable hearing aids was 65% lower compared to non-rechargeable options. Battery production, distribution, and disposal accounted for over 80% of the total environmental impact for non-rechargeable hearing aids, whereas for rechargeable aids, this figure was just 5%. Electricity use for charging contributed an average of 9% to the total impact.

However, the extraction of lithium for these batteries poses serious ecological risks, such as soil and groundwater contamination. These environmental impacts disproportionately affect indigenous populations, who often rely on local ecosystems for their livelihoods and cultural practices.

Sustainable Alternatives & Innovations

To further reduce the environmental cost of hearing aids, manufacturers should explore alternative solutions, including:

Circular Materials: Manufacturers can switch to more sustainable materials like bioplastics, recycled plastics, or recycled aluminium, requiring up to 95% less energy than new production.

Standarised Chargers: A single standard for chargers across different hearing aid models can help reduce waste from obsolete accessories and streamline the reuse of charging equipment.

Recycling Programmes: Recycling hearing aids and batteries can greatly reduce their environmental footprint. Manufacturers should establish recycling programmes, offering incentives to customers for returning old devices. Collaboration with recycling facilities would ensure proper processing of materials, extending the lifespan of parts.

Energy-Efficient Manufacturing: Hearing aid manufacturers should prioritise energy-efficient production processes and design hearing aids with lower power consumption, which would reduce their overall carbon footprint.

Education: Manufacturers play a crucial role in educating users on proper care techniques to extend the lifespan of their devices. This includes promoting responsible charging practices to reduce energy consumption and providing guidance on how to recycle hearing aids responsibly.

A workforce training programme like Carbon Literacy for the hearing aid industry would further enhance these efforts by equipping employees to understand and advocate for these solutions. This training would enable them to support their workplace and customers in making more sustainable choices.

Reducing the environmental impact of hearing aids is primarily the responsibility of manufacturers rather than users. By raising awareness and applying consumer pressure, we can promote the development of more sustainable hearing aids without compromising their quality or stigmatising users. By implementing strategies and fostering collaboration among manufacturers, consumers, and policymakers we can challenge outdated perceptions of hearing loss while advocating for sustainable practices in the industry.

Sara (she/her) works as a marketing and communications assistant at The Carbon Literacy Project, where she is dedicated to empowering and supporting impactful climate initiatives, channelling her commitment to sustainability and positive change. Living with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), Sara once viewed her hearing loss as a limitation but now proudly embraces her identity as ‘differently abled.’ Through her work, she advocates for inclusivity and strives to inspire others to recognise the value of diverse perspectives in the fight against climate change.