Amplification and Assistive Devices (AAD)
April Groulx, BS (she/her/hers)
Audiology Graduate Student
University of Connecticut
University of Connecticut
Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania
Financial Disclosures: I do not have any relevant financial relationships with anything to disclose.
Non-Financial Disclosures: I do not have any relevant non-financial relationships with anything to disclose.
Hillary Marquis, Au.D., CCC-A
Financial Disclosures: I do not have any relevant financial relationships with anything to disclose.
Non-Financial Disclosures: I fit and dispense hearing aids from Phonak, GN ReSound and Oticon.
Most manufacturers offer lithium-ion rechargeable hearing aids. There is no data investigating the average daily battery life. We aimed to measure the average daily battery life across 3 manufacturers and compare this to marketed claims.
Battery life of Phonak, GN ReSound and Oticon RIC style lithium ion rechargeable hearing aids were evaluated on incoming user settings. Average battery life ranged from 26.081 to 28.399 hours across manufacturers. A statistically significant difference in average daily battery life of Oticon vs. GN ReSound was found. All hearing aids exceeded the average daily life of 24 hours claimed by the manufacturers.
Summary: Most hearing aid manufacturers offer lithium-ion rechargeable technology. In 2016, Heuermann & Herbig reported that lithium ion batteries can provide 24 hours of stable usage, are easy to use, they have a long lifespan, provide years of use in amplification and they can charge very quickly to a full charge. However, there is no data investigating the average daily battery life in hearing aids. We aimed to measure the average daily battery life across three manufacturers and compare this to marketed claims.
The battery of Phonak, GN ReSound and Oticon RIC style lithium ion rechargeable hearing aids was fully changed, turned on and evaluated on incoming user settings in a quiet audiology office. A biologic listening check was performed to ensure the hearing aids turned on and amplified sound. After 24 hours, a biologic listening check was performed to confirm if the hearing aids were still amplifying sound. The hearing aids were evaluated in 15 minute intervals thereafter until the hearing aids no longer amplified sound. The time at which the hearing aid was deemed dead was recorded for each hearing aid.
The average battery life ranged from 26.081 hours to 28.399 hours across all manufacturers. The average battery life for Phonak hearing aids was 27.462 hours (n=30). The average battery life for Oticon hearing aids was 28.399 hours (n=15). The average amount of battery life for GN Resound hearing aids was 26.081 hours (n=7). The total mean battery life across all manufacturers was 27.314 hours (n=52) with a standard error of 0.673. All of the hearing aids exceeded the average daily life of 24 hours claimed by the manufacturers. There were no statistically significant differences in average daily battery life between Phonak and Oticon (P=.219) and between Phonak and GN ReSound (P=.251). There was a statistically significant difference in average daily battery life between GN ReSound and Oticon (P=.011).
This study demonstrates lithium ion rechargeable hearing aid technology lasts from 26.081 hours to 28.399 hours on average across three major hearing aid manufacturers. We conclude rechargeable hearing aid batteries can provide greater than or equal to 24 hours of battery life on average, which supports the marketed claims by the manufacturers. There was statistically significant evidence to support Oticon hearing aids lasted longer on average than GN ReSound hearing aids. Future research could benefit from average rechargeable hearing aid battery life measurements on human subjects. It is also important to take into account the variability in hearing aid battery life due to varying degrees, configurations and types of hearing loss, receiver strength, streaming hours, program settings and environmental surroundings.