Skip to content
HearingTracker
Log in

REM Question and who makes a hearing aide that can use disposable batteries

This topic is closed.

37 replies1.2k viewsLast reply

Jump
Link to this topic

My friend Ann had her first appointment with an audiologist. Ann has some other appointments and Costco is on the list, but Ann came away with thrree questions and she and I thought some of you might be able to lend a little clarification as we have been unable to find the answers via internet research:

  1. The audiologist pointed Ann toward two pieces of instrumentation and said one of them is what many other audiologists use and that is a “ Simulator” - it didn’t have a monitor and was pointed as if it was not worthy to use. But this audiologist said pointing toward another device with a monitor , this is a REM and it is used in situ** … meaning that it is individually customized versus the REM simulator. What is the difference between a REM simulator and REM that tis customized for the individual?

  2. The audiologist wanted Ann to purchase the Oticon Intent hearing aide. It sounded like a wonderful hearing device, but when Ann questioned them about the pros and cons and/or other choices in the line and brands the audiologist soured. They said if they had to pick a second to Oticon they would choose Starkey (but it was clear that the audiologist sold the top of the line Oticon and that was pretty much it). Ann’s question is what other brands of hearing aides use disposable batteries? Ann may, at times, not have access to electricity (travels) and disposable batteries would be very helpful. Ann is in the US.
    Uploading: Screenshot 2025-08-03 at 8.28.03 PM 2.png…

  3. The audiologist was selling the top of the line Oticon Hearing Aide to Ann and Ann thinks it is unlikely she really needs, in this moment, all the bells and whistles. She does want to hear as best she can but wonders if the top of the line is something she really needs?

We both found it rather difficult to determine the answer to these questions via researching the internet, so if anyone has any sources of info, Ann would love to know.

Screenshot 2025-08-03 at 8.28.03 PM 2

16 people in this conversation17 min readJump to latest
@4mulch said:

…but when Ann questioned them about the pros and cons and/or other choices in the line and brands the audiologist soured.

The older I get the less tolerance I have for this kind of behavior. It’s Ann’s hearing and Ann’s money. If this audiologist doesn’t want to discuss alternatives, I’d bet Ann can find one that will.

I went through something similar recently. My audiologist of four years won’t bill my insurance for new hearing aids, so I found a new one who would. It was cordial. I wasn’t mean or anything, I just said, let me think about it, and then I went elsewhere.

Ann should be able to get her questions answered. Even though it may take time and effort to figure it all out.

Edited

A simulator is a computer program that mimics the process of Real Ear Measurement (REM), while a customized REM is a personalized hearing aid fitting process that uses real ear measurements to optimize amplification for an individual’s unique hearing loss and ear canal characteristics.

The aids with all the “bells and whistles” use rechargeable batteries because of the high power demand by the latest chips such as those used with .
If Ann does not really require the the latest and greatest, there are still hearing aids produced from most of the main manufactures that use disposable batteries which should suit her loss.

I’ve always been an actual disposable battery fan even if it meant loosing out on bells and whistles.

I’m soon to get a cochlear implant and will be moving to rechargeable which has got me nervous.

Many rechargeable hearing aids batteries last 30+hours and, some of them come with a portable charger that does not need to be plugged in if you are on the road. My charger, for example, can be unplugged for a whole week.

I believe Starkey has a model that uses disposable batteries. I don’t think any of the Costco models do anymore because they give you a portable battery charger.

In reply to @BarryH

BarryH thank you for your thoughts and for sharing the difference between the simulator and the process of Real Ear Measurement - it sounds like the “process of Real Ear Measurement” is what Ann is looking for.

OcramSagev, 30 plus hours - that sounds impressive, especially that some portable chargers don’t need to be plugged in if on the road. Sorry to hear about Costcoo not providing hearing devices with disposable batteries, nice to know that Starkey does. I heard Phonak also does, but I also read of issues although what I read may not be up to date info.

Purchasing hearing aides takes time. Time to ferret out all the details and particulars.

What does isetu mean with respect to the process vs Real Ear Measurement Simulator? Can “isetu” be done with the former or later and/or with other types processes? I had though Real Ear Measurement was the gold standard, but maybe I was wrong?

In reply to @Zebras

@Zebras said:

I’m soon to get a cochlear implant and will be moving to rechargeable which has got me nervous.

Not really, you have possibility to choose, even from day to day, unless you choose Nucleus Kanso 2 or 3 or Kanso 3 Nexa.

See my photos here (note that N6 is much bigger than N8/N8 Nexa):

Phonak Audéo Sphere
Speaking of batteries, an interesting solution is found in sound processors for cochlear implants. I wear disposable 2x 675s daily, but when they run out in the middle of the day, I simply switch to a larger standard or smaller compact rechargeable battery. I’m just theorizing, but perhaps this may be a solution for excessive battery usage with AI. [20240817_171549] Cochlear Nucleus 6 - CP910 (2013) with (from top): 675s basket Standard rechargeable battery Compact rechargeable battery Ph…

In reply to @4mulch

https://www.google.com/search?q=what+is+hearing+aid+in+situ&client=firefox-b-1-d&sca_esv=3ee704457ab872fb&sxsrf=AE3TifPQl6otqphU7dBFR5Hse4X0yg0zLw%3A1754341103415&ei=7x6RaMaIGe_-ptQP9O23-AI&ved=0ahUKEwiGvKLyhfKOAxVvv4kEHfT2DS8Q4dUDCBA&uact=5&oq=what+is+hearing+aid+in+situ&gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiG3doYXQgaXMgaGVhcmluZyBhaWQgaW4gc2l0dTIIECEYoAEYwwRI0B9QxgxY6xxwAXgAkAEAmAHsA6AB_BKqAQkwLjUuMS4xLjK4AQPIAQD4AQGYAgSgAqEHwgIHECMYsAIYJ8ICCxAAGIAEGIYDGIoFwgIIEAAYgAQYogTCAgUQABjvBcICChAhGKABGMMEGAqYAwCIBgGSBwkwLjIuMS4wLjGgB4whsgcJMC4yLjEuMC4xuAehB8IHBTAuMy4xyAcH&sclient=gws-wiz-serp

I would ask the hearing personnel at Costco if they can order the 312 Rexton BiCore if a replaceable battery is a requirement.

I believe the Jabra at Costco has replaceable batteries but you lose the dnn for noise. Regardless of loss, most everyone with an aid struggles in noisy situations and environments. But betting if she trialed rechargeables she would most likely perfer them. The charger holds 4+ extra charges along with the aids lasting 2 days on a charge. If you need more charges than that you can bring along a few portable power banks.

Edited

@4mulch, Oticon Intent is great, however I expect new Oticon lineup since about Jan 2026 (probably).

Regarding battery life - I have Audeo Infinio Sphere 90. Full battery is enough for slightly over 30h, so even 2 full days of use.

The charger is very sleek, lightweight and has battery, which is enough for 3x charging of pair of Spheres. So, a fully charged pair of spheres and a battery charger is enough for ~8 days.

With a USB power bank, it will be enough for even longer.

Phonak ChargerGo RIC Sphere Infinio - Pub Hearing2

Est. reading time: 1 minute

Screenshot_20250805_134029_Chrome

Having forgotten my charger on a couple of trips, I chose Phonak Audeo Lumity L90-312 last year - right about the time that the child-proof packaging for zinc-air batteries appeared :frowning:

@Bimodal_user. Great info on the Oticon lineup possibly happening in 1/2026 and also the battery life on your Audeo Infinio Sphere 90’s is helpful. I’ll be sure to pass this along. Ann and I had heard the charger was good for only 20 hours and that it had had issues (must be old news). And the power bank idea is a good one too. Many thanks!

I have never had any issues with the charger for Infinios or Paradises. Charger for Paradises don’t have built-in battery, but I simply had it connected to my powerbank in my backpack.

Assuming that Sphere have maybe equivalent of 200-300 mAh, even small powerbanks and their ~75% efficiency is much for charging.

Zinc-air 675s disposable batteries, which are roughly the same size as rechargeable Li-ion one in the Sphere has about 600 mAh.

Edited

Question: Can an audiologist use the Simulator in a way that is best practice, or is it best practice for an audiologist who uses the REM personalized hearing aid fitting process?

BACKGROUND: Ann visited another audiologist. This audiologist uses a REM Simulator and not the real REM personalized hearing aid fitting process. Ann didn’t realize that when they booked the appointment. She was told that they only use the REM personalized hearing aid fitting process for certain types of hearing loss. But would use the REM simulator in her situation and that they generally use the REM simulator in most cases as in their experience one had to be sure the probe touched the ear drum and it sounded like there was some issue with that. Using the simulator also checked that the device was working well from the manufacturer

Of the couple of audiologists Ann has seen she liked this person the best, they weren’t pushy and took the time to explain things. But she is concerned that if she purchases her hearing aids from this practice, that maybe she’ll walk out and never know she could have heard better. Should Ann hold out for an audiologist who uses the REM personalized hearing aid fitting process?

EDIT: Based on this Dr. Cliff video that I just found. It sounds like if a person is not getting Real Ear Measurement personalized hearing aid fitting WITH THE PROBE - the fitting may not be as good as it actually could be Dr. Cliff: Schooling you on Real Ear Measurement2 But … what is the Real Ear Simulator good for? Or is Dr. Cliff off-base?

Don’t worry these guys know what their doing, Anne will hear well, so much nonsense on , it’s just another tool in the toolbox, it’s nothing magical and doesn’t restore ones hearing, just let this pro set Anne up on the fitting and then Anne can decide if she “hears” to her satisfaction, as obviously only she would know this.

Related discussions