From our July 2012 “How To”
Sales of rechargeable consumer electronic devices have blossomed in recent years. Surprisingly, however, in their roughly 30-year history, rechargeable hearing instruments have yet to become the chosen alternative for most hearing aid wearers. The operating time per charge (OTPC) has simply not been sufficient to get most hearing aid wearers through the day, and other design and durability issues have prevented widespread acceptance. Battery life, cost, and ease of use are important concerns for patients.
If designs can be developed to meet the needs of consumers, rechargeable instruments may become the solution to their concerns. Hansaton has developed the AQ ITE and AQ X-Mini BTE rechargeable instruments to bring rechargeable instruments out of the niche market and into the mainstream.
There are at least two motivations to reuse renewable power sources. The first is ease of use. Rare is the hearing aid wearer who has not chased a battery under the kitchen table or put batteries in the compartment upside down resulting in a jammed or broken battery compartment. The second motivation is environmental. There is a growing awareness of the cumulative effect of metals and chemicals building up in landfills. Switching to rechargeable cells in this and many other applications, large and small, appears to be a worthwhile and growing trend.
The AQ X-Mini RIC rechargeable BTE provides at least 20 hours of operation per charge when the strongest (65 dB gain) receiver is used. AQ Custom ITEs achieve up to 30 hours per charge. Recharging an AQ instrument takes on average 2 to 4 hours. AQ batteries have a 5-year guarantee. If a battery fails within that time frame, it will be replaced at no charge. Ease of use is achieved by eliminating the need to ever see or touch a battery.
Hansaton
Plymouth, Minn; (888) 984-7432
www.hansaton-usa.com
