Rechargeable aids: wanted by customers or by factories?

Thanks for those numbers and experiences. That’s excellent. I don’t go to the extent that you do in analysing everything. I get to the end of my day after some tv connecter use in the evening and might get the battery warning beep. And I might not. Yes, the Phonaks use classic bluetooth.
If only all people dealt with facts.

I now wear Oticon INTENT1 but my audiologist and I are debating on me going to the Phonak Virtio R infinio aids. I do prefer ITE aids. But I do really like the INTENT1 aids but I am developing ear sore spots due to having to wear over the glasses sunglasses and night time glasses. There is just so much space behind the ears.

@z10user2 said:

But why would I buy a spare? Travel maybe? Gets broken along the way maybe?

I’d want a spare charger to aid in problem determination if there’s a charging issue, and because a replacement may not be obtainable quickly since HA chargers aren’t standardized.

@z10user2 said:

I still prefer batteries. It’s the convenience and ease of use…not the cost.

Me too. I detailed the low cost of batteries to inform prospective hearing aid users who come here to learn about aids. In general experience, using disposable batteries to power a device you use all day, every day is expensive and generates a lot of waste. But that’s not so for hearing aids because they use a battery technology not seen in other consumer devices.

@Um_bongo said:

the current Oticon Own ITC 312 canal on a flat 65 db loss with minimum venting burn a set of 312 in 2-3 days (15 hr)…Modern aid power requirements have jumped above the abilities of standard zinc air cells.

I’m surprised to see an ITC aid mentioned, because I thought they weren’t at the cutting edge of technology. My Oticon Real’s are good for 4-5 days on 312’s.

Battery runtime isn’t a power (current draw, loosely speaking) issue, it’s an energy issue. Zinc-air has higher energy density by volume than rechargeable lithium, so I don’t know how those aids would provide acceptable runtime on a charge if they were powered with rechargeables of 312-like size.

Size 13 and 675 batteries, with higher energy capacity than 312’s and proportionately higher runtime, are still available to power RIC’s and BTE’s, and from what I’ve read here plenty of users would be happy to have them.

@x475aws said:

I’m surprised to see an ITC aid mentioned, because I thought they weren’t at the cutting edge of technology. My Oticon Real’s are good for 4-5 days on 312’s.

Battery runtime isn’t a power (current draw, loosely speaking) issue, it’s an energy issue. Zinc-air has higher energy density by volume than rechargeable lithium, so I don’t know how those aids would provide acceptable runtime on a charge if they were powered with rechargeables of 312-like size.

Size 13 and 675 batteries, with higher energy capacity than 312’s and proportionately higher runtime, are still available to power RIC’s and BTE’s, and from what I’ve read here plenty of users would be happy to have them.

I’m not here to argue the rights and wrongs of your preference. I’m just stating how modern aids burn cycles on their processors which doesn’t suit the capacity of the 312. As long as the rechargeable can comfortably do 24 hours, your point is moot: as Mr Rechargeable effectively has a ‘new’ battery tomorrow.

Also, nobody wants a 675 sized aid if they don’t have to have one. The users on this forum are a self selecting cohort who aren’t really representative of the ‘average’ user I fit every day. The expectation is that the devices ‘are’ rechargeable by default. Couple that to a 5 year warranty and people are generally happy.

I’m not approaching this from some tech bro vs philistine point of view either. I drive non-turbo V8s and am happy with analogue life, but I expect my small electronics to be rechargeable now. Buying and landfilling batteries is a bit passé, especially in Europe where we have more stringent recycling requirements.

@x475aws said:

When implant makers needed high-power 675 disposable batteries to power their devices, battery manufacturers were able to oblige them. Implant-type 675’s might be able to power higher-function aids that regular batteries can’t power. Maybe it would even be possible to design high-power 13’s or 312’s with adequate battery life, if hearing aid makers asked for them.

It’s not entirely the case that the sound processor uses its full capabilities with disposable batteries. It strongly depends on the individual settings of the user. This is not often, but it shows some limitations of disposable technology.

I recently got the widex moment BTE which offers the disposable battery.

I most definitely agree with your point, however I feel every one has a personal favourite depending on their lifestyle .

I am a really forgetful person with a super active lifestyle that is why i prefer the disposables. I gave trial for rechargeables but many times i used to forget to recharge them. With battery , i can instantly change them which works in my favour.

I feel there should be an option to choose between the batteries or the rechargeables and not stick to just any one while manufacturing

@San said:

I feel there should be an option to choose between the batteries or the rechargeables and not stick to just any one while manufacturing

Like in sound processors

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…

We all have opinions on the topic and they are based on our experiences and our heresay information. Whatever floats your boat. For my needs and desires batteries are the way to go. I have a package in each vehicle for when I drive and I keep a package in my DOP kit for when I travel. I stay on top of them to make sure the packages contain batteries and I’ve held on to the older packages to refill them so I won’t need special tools when the need arises.

As they say in the rest of the world

YOUR MILEAGE MAY VARY.

I used Siemens aids (now discontinued) with rechargeable batteries for 8 years before they started to fail, and actually it was the recharging dock that died first. Being on a very limited fixed pension, I found the $100 CAD cost annually for new batteries a problem. Now I’ve moved and will be going to a new clinic in a few weeks. Testing from scratch, of course, but this clinic sells Oticons and a relative has offered to give me the money for a new pair. Frankly, I’d prefer the traditional batteries, which are more affordable for me. I live in an extremely quiet environment, with just a very quiet old cat, and never entertain or go out to restaurants or crowded events. Really just need them to understand people on the phone. Depending on what the new audiologist recommends, will I be all right with the Oticon More 3 with traditional batteries? I don’t want to ask my relative for more money than I absolutely need, as he lives on his pension also. I don’t need to worry about changing technology, being into my 80s and not in good health. This will probably be my last pair.

@Soundcloud said:

When i look at the new models from several brands I see not a single model with battery supply (e.g. ReSound Enzo Q IA, Phonak Audéo Sphere).

Are there more of you that are worried about this?

I’m solidly in the “I’M WORRIED!” camp! I had two pairs of identical Phonak Lumity Life R90 rechargeables for a couple years. They drove me NUTS! I had to scrounge all over the internet back in 2022 to find a workaround for the OS on my Samsung Flip4 Android phone, cuz before updating that, I’d get 11 hours max per day of use (thanks to my cinderblock hearing!). Even in the OPTIMAL case with newest OS on my newer Samsung Flip, I’d get maybe 16 hrs/day max? Still NOT ENOUGH to either live off the grid or even take a long international flight without some kind of redundant aid or on-person charger.

About 18 mo ago, I bought the new Phonak Lumity Life 312 battery aid. It even marketed greater speech clarity and understanding, and THAT claim proved true for me! I am in heaven with TWO pairs of these 312 aids. Not only has the enhanced speech comprehension given me more confidence and independence, but these aids are signficantly smaller and lighter than the Spheres. They come in BRIGHT colors! (I have Precious Pink and Caribbean Pirate).

But is this the END of the line for battery aids? Likely! Unless we really band together and let our audis know we want options, the industry is clearly leaning towards rechargeables with the extra income from the charging station, and the so-called “OH! But the landfill will be full of toxic batteries!” argument. LAME. Like rechargeable CAR batteries won’t fill the landfill faster? No. It’s some kind of industry/profit-driven malarkey.

I just took 2 off-the-grid vacations this past summer: a month of tent/yurt camping in Kyrgystan (yeah, NO trees to plug my charging unit into! In fact, no power strips either), and on an old, 3-masted sailing ship for 2 weeks bobbing in the icy sounds of Greenland. Again, paucity of power charging options as each tiny cabin had ONE and ONLY ONE socket to plug in ONE and only ONE charging strip if you’d had the foresight to bring one.

On both trips, I wouldn’t have even made it through the long flight to arrive at the destination with my rechargeable aids. They’d have died long about the time I was trying to convince Customs I really AM deaf, and not a terrorist.

For my active, independent lifestyle, battery aids are optimal. If I have to go the route of rechargeables with a NEW model a few years from now, I’ll be in a true funk. Until these small devices give the longevity of tiny, portable batteries, I’m not interested in owning them and traveling with a clusterpuck of devices, power cords and a spare pair on my person - yes, even if I was bobbing amongst icebergs in a freezing sea. I’d have to risk losing ALL my hearing by carrying a redundant pair of rechargeables if I’m forced into using them.

Thank you for letting me rant. You are in good company here, but I can only speak for MY needs, and acknowledge that MANY others like the battery-free life for their own reasons.

@1Bluejay said:

It’s some kind of industry/profit-driven malarkey.

Did you read what Neville wrote about customer preferences?

”It has gotten to the point where half the time when I ask “traditional battery or rechargeable” they look at me like I’m crazy for even asking because who wouldn’t get rechargeables.”

There does seem to be some indication that the industry prefers rechargeables for feature-driven reasons, and I suppose one could say that’s profit-driven. But overall it’s simply market reality.

I only have a landline. I seldom leave home, and if I have to go out to an appointment I phone from home for a taxi to get there and then ask the receptionist to call for a taxi to get home when I’m finished. I don’t need a cell phone.

Do you do okay on the phone? If yes, great. If not, the Real miniRITE T is telecoil compatible so you could pick up a compatible landline phone.

No, since my Siemens aids died I’ve stopped using the phone, unless the screen shows me it’s one of the few people I know who understand about speaking slowly and enunciating distinctly. I wait for the caller to leave a message (although then I sometimes have to get a neighbour to listen to the message and write it down for me) and if they do, I email them. Phones are the worst situations because I can’t lipread then. Sorry, what does “telecoil” mean, please? I couldn’t get an appointment before November 5, so I’m hunting around for information beforehand.