Rechargeable Hearing Aids Are Proving Very Popular
By David Bryce on 5th January 2017
Recently several of the hearing aid manufacturers have introduced rechargeable hearing aids. They have proved very popular with both professionals and the buying public.
Rechargeable hearing aids have been around for a long time, however battery technology issues and worries about power demands have made them not much more than a novelty. Recent breakthroughs by a number of companies with Litium-Ion power packs for hearing aids has meant that for the first time twenty four hours of use is achievable. Let's take a look at who offers these new devices and who may well be bringing them to the table.
No More Hearing Aid Batteries
Phonak have for the first time introduced a rechargeable range of hearing aids. The new Audeo B-R is part of the new Audeo Belong range and will come in three levels of technology. Once charged they will give you a full 24 hours of use even while you are streaming audio. That means no more fiddling with hearing aid batteries, something that many hearing aid users will be happy to hear.
The Audeo B-R Hearing Aid Range
Free yourself from the hassles of disposable batteries
Phonak say that the Audéo B-R will simplify your life, offering you a chance to free yourself from the irritation of changing batteries. Many users hate their need for batteries and will be glad to be rid of them. They have introduced a groundbreaking built-in lithium-ion battery technology that will offer you 24 hours of better hearing between charges. It makes perfect sense, we charge our phones and our tablets, why not our hearing aids?
Ground Breaking Tech
Phonak rechargeable hearing aids are the first to feature a specially designed built-in lithium-ion rechargeable battery. It will provide 24 hours of hearing with one three hour charge. It has 40% more power than conventional rechargeable hearing aid batteries, lithium-ion is reliable and capable of powering the technology and performance of Phonak rechargeable hearing aids. Now you can enjoy the freedom and confidence of knowing that your Phonak rechargeable hearing aids are conveniently charged and ready to take you through your day.
Designed to suit you
They are quick charging and long lasting, three hours of charging will give you 24 hours uninterrupted listening. It comes with an easy to use recharger case and an optional stand alone power pack for on the go emergencies. They have also designed a small desk top charger. It is obvious that Phonak have thought deeply about the new devices and their functionality, the Audeo B-R is clearly designed with the user in mind.
The Audeo B-R is available to purchase at our hearing aid centres in Inverness and Aberdeen.
As reported in Hearing Aid Know, Signia have just launched their own Lithium-ion powered range called the Cellion. Let's take a look at them.
Signia, who were once known by the name Siemens has offered rechargeable hearing device options in the past. In fact they are the only one of the big six hearing aid brands that have offered rechargeable options consistently. However, the limitations of the battery technology involved ensured that they were not widely adopted. That of course will now change with the introduction of Lithium-ion power packs.
Signia
Cellion Hearing Aids
Signia say that the Cellion™ primax™ is the world’s first hearing aid with lithium-ion inductive charging. Inductive charging is undertaken by proximity, so there is no need to line up the hearing aids carefully because there is no contacts. The Cellion devices start charging automatically as soon as they are placed in the charger.
The devices have been designed to be smart, they turn off when dropped into the charger and turn on automatically when they are taken out again. The rechargeable lithium-ion power cell lasts 24 hours straight without charging. The Cellion is a Receiver in Canal hearing aid range and it can be used with a variety of receivers which will allow them to cover hearing losses from mild to profound.
The devices will be available in three levels of technology, the 7, the 5 and the 3. The devices are also rated to ip68 which is for all intent and purpose almost water proof.
What are the key features
- Rechargeable lithium-ion power cell
- 24 hours continuous use with unlimited streaming
- Contactless, inductive charging
- Unique OneShell design
The inductive charger fully recharges Cellion primax hearing aids in four hours. They say that a full charge will ensure that the hearing aids deliver 24 hours of continuous outstanding hearing with unlimited streaming. LED indicators clearly display the status of both hearing aid power cells. During the charging cycle, the charger will also dehumidify the devices for better care and longer service life.
As we said the devices automatically turn off when charging begins and is reactivated when removed. The power cable for the charger is a simple micro USB connector. It will mean less cables to carry when on the move. It has three LEDs which clearly show the different charging progress statuses. The charger is pretty small and light' it is no bigger than a business card, that and it's weight means that it is ultra-portable.
Four hours in the charger will deliver a full charge. A 30-minute top-off if needed will provide seven hours of use. Signia have not designed a specific power pack for the Cellion, however, because of the micro USB connection it will compatible with a host of commercially available power packs for mobile devices. In essence this will probably cut down on the equipment you need, if you already have an emergency power pack for your mobile phone, it will double as a power pack for your Cellion devices.
Signia were the second manufacturer to introduce Lithium-ion rechargeable hearing aids. Signia have introduced a lot of innovation since taking over the Siemens hearing aid brand.
Hearing Aid Know also reported the release of the myHearing app with remote fine tuning and fitting facilities, a new way for a professional to remote fine tune hearing aids which Signia have also introduced. It is a big step forward that in aftercare and service that is sure to be emulated by other hearing aid brands.
Starkey May Also Be Introducing Rechargeable Hearing Aids
And They May Just Be The Most Advanced Yet
In a statement recently it was announced that Starkey would partner with an Israeli start up company called Humavox to introduce a brand new wireless recharging system for their hearing aids. It would mean that Starkey would probably lead the field with the most advanced system to date if it is introduced.
It is expected that the devices will be based on Lithium-ion technology. It is also expected that the the system will be a true wireless charging system, because that is what Humavox has become famous for. Humavox have designed a radio frequency system that allows them to charge an electronic device via radio signals.
This is what is called a near field system, which means that the charging station and the devices to be charged have to be in proximity to each other. It seems though that the charging stations will probably need to enclose the hearing aids being charged. Which means that the devices would have to be dropped into a case or box. It would be exceptionally easy as you wouldn't have to put them in a slot or line up contacts, you would simply drop them in.
When and if it is delivered it should mean that Starkey devices can be charged easily and without fuss, you will probably just have to drop them into their case and they will charge automatically. However, on this one, only time will tell and without doubt there will be difficulties that the engineers have to overcome.
More Manufacturers?
I would expect more manufacturers to introduce rechargeable hearing aids this year, there is already a third party system available for some GN Resound hearing aids and we know that Widex has been experimenting with different power sources for their hearing aids.
It would make a lot of sense for all of the big six to introduce this type of technology across their brands. If you have any questions about rechargeable hearing aids in Aberdeen or Inverness, call us on 01224 637255 and book an appointment.