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Rechargeable vs non-rechargeable

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Edited

Hello everyone.

I am planning to purchase Phonak Lumity L90s.
I am confused between rechargeable and non-rechargeable. Which one should I purchase? Please help me choose the right and reliable one. Thank you.

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This has been a hotly debated topic. There are multiple threads bashing out the pros and cons of each in general. I’m not aware of any reliability issue that should scare you off either one in particular for L90s, but there are issues with each the other doesn’t have, and the importance of those issues might sway you.

WH

Edited

There was countless, prolonged and quite-heated discussion about that issue, for example, in the link below:

Rechargeable vs disposable batteries
Am I missing something? With the arrival of rechargeable batteries that last all day (at least for 3-4 years) why would you still use disposable batteries that are fiddly, have to go to landfill (or are very unlikely to be recycled) and you have to remember to change them? The only two advantages I can really see are they are still a bit smaller, so you can use them in CIC aids, and they would be handy if you are in the wilds and you don’t have a solar charger/backup battery for your phone wi…

It is all about your specific life environment and possibilities, access to electricity, how often you travel, ability to operate with small pieces, etc…

I have never been in Pakistan, so I am not aware what is your particular necessity.

Generally (as a rule of thumb), disposable hearing aid batteries can last over a week; rechargeable ones last, at most, one day.

If you’re a doctor with 24hrs shift, rechargeables couldn’t have enough working time one one charge.

Rechargeable may have a few more features; however, it is worth noting that rechargeable battery capacity decreases after two to three years of use.

@Bimodal_user said:

If you’re a doctor with 24hrs shift, rechargeables couldn’t have enough working time one one charge.

The newest Starkey Edge has a quite decent working time on one charge—they boast about even 40–51 hours.

The Sphere rechargeables also has good working time—even 30–40 hours, if the AI program (Spheric Speech Clarity) isn’t used excessively. In that program, the Sphere works only for 7–8 hours, but forum users report this as a rare situation.

There is video about Lumities with disposable battery.

However I am strongly recommend consider Infinio Sphere (even 70) or Infinio R hearing aids.

In reply to @Bimodal_user

Regarding disposable batteries lasting over a week. I think largely depends on battery size and how current the hearing aid is. My Kirkland KS9 last 4-5 days with size 312 batteries. My older KS7 used to last up to 9 days with 312 batteries.

@MDB, thanks for clarifying.I have spoken only from my experiences with only 13 disposable batteries (Widex Senso P8, Widex Inteo 9, Phonak Ambra MH2O, and Phonak Bolero V70-P).

Your input with smaller batteries is very useful to know.

They’re asking about Lumity. Much said in this forum about Lumity rechargeable battery runtime. They last all day for some people but not others. Also runtime decreases with use, so even if they start out lasting all day for you, that may change after a couple of years.

In reply to @WhiteHat

@WhiteHat said:

This has been a hotly debated topic. There are multiple threads bashing out the pros and cons of each in general.

@Bimodal_user said:

There was countless, prolonged and quite-heated discussion about that issue

I must be missing something that you guys are able to see. There’s endless discussion about audiologist vs. Costco, NHS vs. private, mail-order vs. local, Brand A vs. Brand B, domes vs. molds, music with hearing aids, etc. But no one ever responds to those questions this way. Why not? Plus, his question was specifically about Lumity and could have been answered in a narrower fashion instead of rehashing the arguments that you characterize as tiresome. I’m not picking on anybody. I just really don’t get it.

@x475aws said:

his question was specifically about Lumity and could have been answered in a narrower fashion

@WhiteHat said:

I’m not aware of any reliability issue that should scare you off either one in particular for L90s, but there are issues with each the other doesn’t have, and the importance of those issues might sway you.

So tell me how I didn’t address how question specifically? There isn’t anything specific to L90 about the disposable vs rechargeable issue. The weaknesses & strengths of each side apply.

WH

I would be slightly off-topic: @Dranaskhan, you should also think about how much earwax you produce. If you produce a lot, maybe a would be a better option.

I am lucky to live in a big city, so I have good access to buy a new cShell with an embedded receiver. However, I still have to wait at least two weeks for a new one.

So you should consider buying a spare cShell (after you make sure the one you just obtained fits perfectly) or consider a BTE hearing aid option.

There are people who live in climates more similar to yours; maybe they could share their experiences.

@danka ? Or someone from southern US?

In reply to @WhiteHat

@WhiteHat said:

There isn’t anything specific to L90 about the disposable vs rechargeable issue.

I would disagree with that, because there’s been a lot of discussion about Lumity’s rechargeable battery runtime. It doesn’t matter, because I already mentioned that, and I don’t mean to pick on you for not mentioning it, sorry. But I would like to understand why battery questions are met with exasperation, which doesn’t happen with any other subject I’ve seen on here. The usual “rule” is that if you’re not interested in talking about a subject then skip the thread.

I understand the reasoning for and against rechargeable aids. When the gave me my first set of aids with rechargeable batteries I was very skeptical. But I am retired so I have adapted well to rechargeable aids. But again I was raised to be an adaptable person. I am 77 and my whole life has been of adapting to the changes that life throws at me. The key is being open minded being willing to adapt to what life throws at you and always being positive.

Edited

In reply to @Dranaskhan

@Dranaskhan said:

I use my hearing aid more or less for twelve to fourteen hours a day maximum.

Rechargeable aids will work fine for you. 14 hours a day is easily within the range of these batteries. Some folks worry about what might happen during a power outage. My Signia aids come with a travel case/charger that can deliver two (or 3? I forget) full charges on their own. so I’m looking at nearly a weeks worth of emergency charge, essentially. and then of course there’s the possibility of charging through your car battery, or a friend’s house, or a local cafe. If zombies attack, you’re on your own.
all of my previous aids used replaceable batteries. I was skeptical about rechargable batteries. no more! But I do have my old aids for back up. And yes, a full package of batteries that fit. So bring on the zombies! I’m good to go.
p.s. my aids have a three year warranty. My audi sent in them in for battery replacement, free of charge, just last month. I received a NEW pair of aids in return–free! Apparently it’s cheaper for manufacturers to just send out new aids than replace the batteries. Cool!!! yes, after another three years I will have to pay for battery replacements–about $200.00. Meanwhile I’ve spent $0.00 on batteries for six years. do the math. it’s a good deal.

I simply use my powerbank and charge in my backpack :slightly_smiling_face: 5000 - 10 000 mAh is enough for countless charging.

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