THE EMERGENCE OF SILVER-ZINC

RECHARGEABLE TECHNOLOGY
WITHIN HEARING AIDS
John Ellison, M.S., & Mary MacRae

the development of hearing aid rechargeable

The Coming of Age of the battery requirements. Specifically, these
Rechargeable Hearing Aid Battery development requirements include the following:
In a technological world that demands plug-and-
1. Hearing aids must be able to use conventional
play functionality, the ability to “charge and go”
zinc-air or rechargeable batteries.
has become a non-negotiable feature requirement.
Consumers demand this from modern electronics
2. Patients must be able to replace the
such as cell phones, tablets and MP3 players. For
rechargeable battery without sending
hearing instrument users, rechargeable batteries
the aid in for replacement.
now have the potential to replace the established
practice of disposable battery technology, thus
including hearing instruments within the realm of 3. Rechargeable batteries must operate in a
plug-and-play functionality. hearing aid for at least 15–18 hours a day.

Since the early 1970s, rechargeable hearing aids 4. Rechargeable batteries must provide sufficient
and hearing aid batteries have been available in energy capacity to support advanced hearing
one form or another. Now, some forty years later, aid functions.
we are still holding on to our conventional zinc-air
batteries, as the market for rechargeable hearing 5. Rechargeable batteries must provide a
aids and batteries hasn’t responded to the green alternative to existing technologies.
inconvenient and expensive rechargeable
technology that has been made available up
until now.
Rechargeable Batteries Are the
Green Alternative
MarkeTrak data consistently shows patients are
Compared to conventional battery technology,
either dissatisfied with the battery life of their
rechargeable options reduce waste because
hearing aids or are seeking a device with
consumers don’t need to replace their batteries
rechargeable batteries (Kochkin, 2002; 2012).
nearly as often as they do with conventional
Furthermore, focus groups involving Starkey
batteries. In addition, reducing the amount of
Hearing Technologies research participants
battery packaging helps prevent the growth of
highlight how frequently patients report the desire
waste into our landfills. Another key advantage of
for a rechargeable option. In fact, results from our
rechargeable hearing aid batteries is that they do
focus groups and results obtained through an
not contain mercury by-products, making disposal
independent consulting firm demonstrate that a
clean and safe while promoting recycling efforts.
battery charging function is one of the most highly
Therefore, the use of rechargeable batteries is
rated features among hearing instrument patients
consistent with green technology and a step
and professionals. In addition, feedback from such
toward keeping our planet clean.
aforementioned focus groups provides insight on

The Emergence of Silver-Zinc Rechargeable Technology Within Hearing Aids Reprinted from Innovations: Volume 4, Issue 1, 2014 1
Why green? Being “green” is not only valuable to
the community but also to our primary customer
population. A marketing communications company
collected more than 6,000 consumer responses on
household products that showed that older
consumers are more likely to use green products
than their younger counterparts (ICOM, 2008).
Specifically, females between the ages of 55 and
59 years old were most likely to use green products
and were more than twice as likely to use such
products compared to the average consumer. Adult
men between the ages of 65 and 69 years old were
the second most likely demographic to use green
products and were nearly twice as likely to use
green products than average consumers.
The User Requirements for
Using Rechargeable Batteries
If a good portion of our target demographic is
interested in an environmentally friendly battery,
why hasn’t the rechargeable option caught on? This
is likely the result of rechargeable hearing
instruments either failing to meet the demands of
the consumer and/or not performing as well as
conventional technologies. Hearing aids with
rechargeable batteries often require patients to
send the devices in to the manufacturer for battery
replacement. This requires the patient to use
backup devices, which are an inconvenience for the
patient and the hearing healthcare professional
alike. Furthermore, in devices that seal the
rechargeable batteries into the hearing aid casing,
rechargeable batteries cannot be swapped with
conventional batteries in the event of a battery
failure. This leaves the patient with one of two
less-than-ideal options: 1) use backup devices or
2) go without amplification. Our patients agree
that these options must be overcome for
rechargeable technology to gain traction. In fact,
95 percent of study participants that we polled
responded that it was important to be able to
replace their rechargeable batteries with
conventional batteries (Ellison, 2011).
2 The Emergence of Silver-Zinc Rechargeable Technology Within Hearing Aids Reprinted from Innovations: Volume 4, Issue 1, 2014
Another limitation of hearing aid rechargeable
battery technology and a potential reason why
Starkey Hearing Technologies’ New SIZE 13 BATTERY NiMH AgZn
rechargeable batteries in hearing aids have not Rechargeable Battery Offering Voltage (V)
Typical Capacity (mAh)
1.2
30
1.6
32-35
caught on lies in the size of the battery. To start, Energy Capacity (mWh) 36 51-60
Starkey Hearing Technologies’ rechargeable
hearing aids are getting smaller. In addition, Operating Time/Charge (hrs)* 16.7-30 17.8-30
silver-zinc (AgZn) batteries, which no other hearing
hearing aid processing is getting more Self-Discharge Rate/Month < 20% < 5%
aid manufacturer currently uses, offer several
sophisticated and complex, which increases the
important improvements over NiMH batteries SIZE 312 BATTERY NiMH AgZn
demand for battery power supply. This means we
(Table 1). Specifically, AgZn rechargeable batteries Voltage (V) 1.2 1.6
need to fit more powerful batteries in tinier spaces.
operate with a higher capacity and greater energy Typical Capacity (mAh) 22 28
However, this is constrained by the fact that smaller Energy Capacity (mWh) 26 45-47
density than NiMH batteries, resulting in longer
batteries typically have shorter operating times. Operating Time/Charge (hrs)** 13.8-15 17.5-30
daily battery life for a fixed volume (Figure 1).
This constraint is emphasized by the vast majority Self-Discharge Rate/Month < 20% < 5%
This allows for the ability to match NiMH
of Starkey Hearing Technologies research
performance in a smaller casing. Therefore,
participants preferring rechargeable batteries Table 1: Comparisons across nickel-metal hydride and
these have a greater potential for achieving
only if they operate throughout the entire day silver-zinc rechargeable batteries
required battery performance in smaller hearing
(Ellison, 2011). * 1.8 mA average drain ** 1.6 mA average drain
aids. This also allows AgZn batteries to support
The introduction of nickel metal hydride (NiMH)
the higher current drain necessary for the
increasing number of complex and advanced
batteries allowed the development of batteries with
the required power and size for consumer use.
hearing aid features. In addition, use of AgZn has Energy Density
a lower self-discharge rate, allowing for longer
Currently, NiMH batteries are the only type of 300
storage, as well as allowing the professional to buy
rechargeable battery used in hearing aids. NiMH
batteries in bulk, reducing battery purchase costs. 250
batteries are capable of achieving 15–18 hours of
wear time and supplying enough power as long as 200
Starkey Hearing Technologies’ rechargeable
Wh/I
the hearing aid current drain is limited. However,
battery technology is designed to meet the 150
restricting the current drain also limits the
needs of the hearing aid user and the associated 100
processing power that is required for the function
five development requirements specified above.
of the advanced features common in modern 50
The specifications for our rechargeable batteries
hearing aids. NiMH batteries have a low self-
are the following: 0
discharge rate, which ensures sufficient shelf life.
NiMH
Professionals are able to buy in bulk and store the 13 & 312 AgZn 13 AgZn 312
1. Hearing aid users can substitute conventional
batteries. Furthermore, the discharge cycle is stable
batteries in the event that they lose or
and predictable. Unpredictable discharge cycles
damage rechargeable batteries. Figure 1: Energy density in watt hours per liter (Wh/l) for
can negatively influence the hearing aid response
NiMH and AgZn rechargeable batteries. The NiMH is
characteristics and ultimately result in poor plotted as one bar because of the close proximity of the
acceptance of the hearing aid by consumers. In 2. There is no need to send the hearing aid in
energy density for both size 13 and size 312 batteries.
sum, NiMH rechargeable batteries meet many of to the manufacturer for replacement or repair,
the requirements necessary for use in hearing aids. which also eliminates the need for a backup
However, improvements are on the horizon. hearing device. Starkey Hearing Technologies’ solution allows
consumers to use a streamlined spare battery
3. Starkey Hearing Technologies AgZn charger, which securely locks the batteries in place
technology can operate for the required and automatically determines the polarity of the
15–18 hours a day. batteries (Figure 2). It efficiently determines the
charge state of the batteries to provide the
4. The AgZn technology supports advanced appropriate charge, and it activates LED indicators
hearing aid features. to notify the user when charging is complete. The
spare cell charger can plug into a standard wall
5. Rechargeable batteries offer a greener outlet, computer or optional car adaptor, and it is
solution than conventional disposable small enough to carry in a purse or pocket, which
technologies. makes it convenient and travel friendly.
The Emergence of Silver-Zinc Rechargeable Technology Within Hearing Aids Reprinted from Innovations: Volume 4, Issue 1, 2014 3
Many of Starkey Hearing Technologies’ non-wireless
devices support the use of AgZn rechargeable
batteries. Devices currently in the field can also
use rechargeable batteries with a simple update
through the Inspire® fitting software. See Table 2
for a complete list of supported Starkey Hearing
Technologies hearing instruments. As with any
emerging technology, we see immediate benefits
for many consumers but expect continued
improvements and broader applications as the
technology is refined. Currently, the peak power
capability of the AgZn is not sufficient to support
wireless hearing aids in streaming modes and are
not recommended for use in those products.
Conclusion
Starkey Hearing Technologies has introduced a
rechargeable option that not only minimizes the
limitation of earlier rechargeable options but also
raises the bar by allowing users to recharge with a
small, travel-friendly charger. Finally, Starkey
Hearing Technologies hearing aid wearers have it
all with the greener AgZn battery option, including
improved shelf life, the flexibility to use either
conventional or rechargeable batteries, and
increased energy in a smaller casing.
Figure 2: Starkey Hearing Technologies’ new spare cell charger.
The charger can be powered via a standard wall outlet or USB
computer connection. LEDs notify the user of the charge state.
4 The Emergence of Silver-Zinc Rechargeable Technology Within Hearing Aids Reprinted from Innovations: Volume 4, Issue 1, 2014
References
Ellison, J.C. (2011). Inductive recharge field trial.
Starkey Hearing Technologies, Technical Paper.
ICOM (2008). The greenest generation: ICOM survey reveals
older demographics as biggest users of green products.
The Free Library. Retrieved from http://www.thefreelibrary.com/
The Greenest Generation: ICOM Survey Reveals Older
Demographics as...-a0184380767.
Kochkin, S. (2002). MarkeTrak VI: Consumers rate improvements
sought in hearing instruments. Hearing Review, 9(11), 18–22.
Kochkin, S. (2012). MarkeTrak VIII: The key influencing factors in
hearing aid purchase intent. Hearing Review, 19(3), 12–25.
Product Family and Device Style (non-wireless ONLY)
3 Series and Tour RIC 312 (non-wireless)
3 Series and Tour BTE 312 (non-wireless)
3 Series ITE, ITC, Half Shell and CIC 312 only (non-wireless)
X Series and Ignite BTE 312, BTE 13
X Series and Ignite RIC 312, RIC 13
X Series and Ignite ITE, ITC, Half Shell and CIC 312 only (non-wireless)
S Series iQ BTE 312, BTE 13
S Series iQ RIC 312
S Series iQ ITE, ITC, Half Shell and CIC 312 only (non-wireless)
S Series BTE 312, BTE 13
S Series RIC 312
S Series ITE, ITC, Half Shell and CIC 312 only (non-wireless)
Table 2: Starkey devices that support silver-zinc rechargeable batteries.
Exclusions: X Series Power Plus BTE 13, 3 Series Power Plus BTE 13,
Xino RIC 10, Xino Tinnitus and Xino Classic
Global Headquarters
6700 Washington Ave S
Eden Prairie, MN 55344
© 2014 Starkey Hearing Technologies. All Rights Reserved. 4/14 WTPR2620-00-EE-SG
StarkeyPro.com