ZPower problems?

Good question, oldyuk. But I think the ZPower recharging system has some advantages too. Users can switch between the rechargeable batteries and regular batteries if there is no electrical outlet available for charging. As far as I know, if you have lithium-ion batteries and you have no electricity, you are stuck with hearing aids that won’t work if their charge goes dead. That is, unless you carry an extra power source, which some HA manufacturers make available.

Lithium-ion batteries may have more power and last longer–but you also have to take them into your audiologist when the batteries need replacing. I think that means that the audiologist has to send the HAs to the manufacturer to change the batteries, because the cases are sealed and the audiologists cannot open them in the office. So, if you wear lithium-ion powered HAs, you will most likely be without them for a few days when the batteries need changing. Hopefully, your audiologist will be able to provide you with loaner HAs during that time.

With ZPower, you can always switch to regular batteries while the audiologist orders new rechargeable ones for you. So you are never without your own HAs during the battery replacement process. It’s a trade off, I guess–and everyone has their own personal preferences. But, i do think that lithium-ion is probably where most HA manufacturers are going to go in the future. That is, if they don’t come up with something better in the meantime. Personally, I’ve wondered about the safety of lithium-ion batteries in HAs as well. I don’t think they know the long-term health risks that might be involved. Not to mention that some lithium-ion powered cell phones have spontaneously erupted into flames. This is a controversial topic, but it does make one ponder…

@anon66854306 said:

but you also have to take them into your audiologist when the batteries need replacing. I think that means that the audiologist has to send the HAs to the manufacturer to change the batteries, because the cases are sealed and the audiologists cannot open them in the office. So, if you wear lithium-ion powered HAs, you will most likely be without them for a few days when the batteries need changing.

Another salient point to add to this is that it’s probably much more costly to replace these batteries than to replace the ZPower ones. The manufacturer can choose to charge you anything they want, and the fact that their service department has to spend the time doing the replacement means that it can easily equal the cost of a regular repair.

Meanwhile, to replace the ZPower batteries, you just buy a new set from your audi and pop them in yourself.

Excellent point, Volusiano.

BTW, I’m hoping that ZPower will eventually make their batteries available direct-to-consumer. There is really no reason for them to hold back on this, other than it forces the patient to go back into the audi’s office to purchase the batteries.

Maybe it is because of higher voltage of ZPower batteries - 1,6 V. Normal batteries have a 1,4 V, so if you insert ZPower battery into hearing aid without special battery door, hearing aid will burned out.

Thanks for that info, oldyuk. It’s interesting that you seem to have better access to hearing aid supplies in Europe. I have not found any online sources in the US for the ZPower rechargeable batteries. I was told that, for now, they are only available for purchase through audiologists.

I’m glad you are having no problems with your charging system. Please keep us informed about how long your rechargeable batteries last before you need to buy new ones.

Interesting thread. Thanks for all the info. I am on my second zpower charger and have not have any significant problems since getting the new unit. I did have one day when I must have seated the left aid in the cradle incorrectly, because the next morning the right indicator light was solid green and the left light was off. I reset the left aid and the light began blinking again. User error. I have backup non-rechargeable 312s for when stuff like that happens. I wish it were possible to buy a backup pair of gold rechargeable 312s online, but as far as I can tell, you can purchase them only from an audiologist.

You’re right Karentoo. Currently, in the USA, rechargeable ZPower batteries are only available through audiologists. I’m hoping that ZPower will see the light and change this in the future.

I had these problems too, but after the firmware update (for the aids and the ZPower charging station, most were resolved. I received new aids, a new charger, and new batteries in September. It’s still not perfect, but I now can get a full day’s wear (with streaming podcasts) with the rechargeable batteries.

My issues with battery life didn’t start until about 2.5 months after receiving them. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for ya…

UPDATE: I did receive a fairly prompt full refund for the charging system. Perhaps I’ll try rechargeables again once the technology has matured more.

OMG… can’t believe what I’m reading…
I got my Opn’s with the ZPower batteries in May while in Vancouver. They were running awesome, but after 5 months one of the Silver-Zinc batteries went dead (well, not dead, but it went from 16hs to 8hs autonomy…). I talked to my hearing clinic and they immediately sent a pair of new Silver-Zinc batteries at no cost.
But yesterday, one of my battery drawers went DEAD!! No charging, no light blinking, and HA not powering on!. I went desperate. Fortunately, as a temporary solution, I put a standard Zinc-air battery and it’s working.

But, the main issue for me is that I’m a nomad person, I wont be back to Canada for a while, and I have no idea on how to claim for a global warranty.

Ugh. Sorry to hear you are having this problem @vpreatoni. I hope you get it resolved and that someone on the Oticon or ZPower sides might see your post and respond here. Good luck.

I found a ZPower for OPN system on eBay and purchased it yesterday. It went for $285 (used item) and I had a 10% eBay bucks promo on top. It was used 3 times, and the seller offers 30 day money back return at their own return shipping cost. So it seems like a good deal to pass up, and I thought I’d give it a try. The same seller sells a new one for $365.

Anyway, I thought I’d check with this thread to see if there’s been anymore issue with the system, or whether all the kinks had been worked out.

Of course with the 30 day return policy, I can only verify the operation, but I can’t really verify the longevity of the batteries themselves.

@Volusiano, I’m back to using the ZPower system after having mine replaced in late November 2018. I also had the rechargeable doors replaced on my OPN 1s at that time. This was after it was announced that Oticon and ZPower had figured out what was causing the problem. So far, I haven’t had any issues. I don’t know yet about the life of the batteries, but I think that ZPower has been working on that issue as well and may be manufacturing stronger batteries. I would just advise you to make sure the charger you got has the latest firmware installed, and that the contact points in it and on the bottom of the battery doors look shiny, and that and there is no dirt/dust inside the charger. You should also make sure that the HAs fit snugly into the charger so there is good contact. ZPower recommends you leave the HAs on the charger for 7 hours to ensure a full charge. Good luck.