Battery Life: Counseling patients about the power consumption of wireless streaming hearing aids

Transcription

1 Battery Life: Counseling patients about the power consumption of wireless streaming hearing aids Barry A. Freeman, Ph.D. VP, Business Development ZPower LLC Camarillo, CA

2 Defining Times in Hearing Industry: Hearing Instrument Advancements By the Decade Hearing Aids Body Aids Monaural Fittings In-the-ear Binaural fittings Real ear Digital Deep Canal RICs Wireless Streaming Rechargeable 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s Behind the Ear & Eyeglass Analog aids Earmold Acoustics CICs Programmables & early digitals

3 New Era in Hearing Care: Rechargeable Products Oticon Opn minirite hearing aids will now be available as a rechargeable hearing solution that can be charged overnight for sufficient power to last throughout the day. Starkey offers rechargeable option thanks to ZPower With the introduction of the rechargeable BEYOND Z, Widex can provide the longest streaming time of any rechargeable hearing aid in the market. ZPower has created an innovative silver-zinc rechargeable battery technology that when combined with Widex market leading low power Barry A. Freeman, Ph.D. VP, Business Development consumption delivers a full day of power on a single charge. Unitron announces Moxi Fit R, the world s smallest rechargeable hearing instrument The Facett Rechargeable Hearing Aid from BlameySaunders Hears. Free yourself from the hassles of disposable batteries with Phonak Audéo B-R rechargeable hearing aid. Signia Cellion. The hearing aid that lasts a whole day on a single charge. Our rechargeable hearing aid battery from ZPower is a unique solution for Beltone hearing aids that allows all-day power, including streaming. GN Hearing introduces a rechargeable battery option for the revolutionary ReSound LiNX 3D hearing aids using the ZPower silver zinc rechargeable solution. Introducing Alpha MPO Bone Anchored Hearing by Medtronic rechargeable

4 Transition to Rechargeable It appears we are entering a time when the hearing aid industry is moving to more differentiated solutions such as rechargeable hearing aids rechargeability was a focus at AAA (2017), with most manufacturers now offering the silver-zinc battery solution from ZPower. In the medium- to long-term, we believe it is likely that most hearing aids will be rechargeable (Goldman Sachs, 2017)

5 Survey of Audiologists What is the most exciting hearing aid innovation in recent years? (From Survey of Audiologists, HearingTracker.com, June 2017) Better rechargeables IPhone aids, rechargeables Rechargeability. Rechargeable Rechargeable Rechargeable and Bluetooth. Rechargeable and flex:upgrade program. Rechargeable and made for iphone. Rechargeable batteries that are reliable Rechargeable batteries.

6 VA Rechargeable Adoption Rates All RIC/BTE products January-June % May-June % RIC/BTE with Rechargeable Options May-June %

7 Hearing Aid Battery Overview

8 Traditional Hearing Aid Batteries Zinc-air Primary battery that is used once before disposal. Battery reaches full voltage after remove tab. Cannot revert back by reusing tab. High energy density, one time use, not recyclable Nickel metal hydride (NiMH) Rechargeable Relatively short operating time with wireless Cycle limitations

9 New Rechargeable Hearing Aid Batteries Lithium Ion Commercialized by Sony (1991) Cell voltage: v Requires Sealed Case Possible capacity loss over time Size limitations Safety concerns Shipping restrictions Li-ion loses 25-35% capacity after ~200 charge cycles

10 Hearing Aids Powered by Lithium-ion Batteries Phonak Audéo B-R Rechargeable Hearing Aids

11 Smaller Size New Rechargeable Hearing Aid Batteries Silver-zinc Non-toxic, nonflammable safe chemistry Fully recyclable Highest energy density No size limitation, higher price for large batteries (e.g., automobiles, computers, phones) due to silver Interchangeable with zinc-air disposables No memory effects Lighter Weight

12 ZPower Silver-zinc Powered Hearing Aids Muse micro RIC 312

13 ZPower Silver-zinc Powered Hearing Aids ReSound LiNX 3D rechargeable BEYOND

14 ZPower in the Wearable and Miniature Medical Device Markets

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16 Comparison of Hearing Aid Batteries: Not All Are Created Equal

17 Not All Zinc Air Are The Same Capacity 160 mah Capacity 170 mah Capacity 180 mah

18 Not all Rechargeable Batteries are the Same! Effective Capacity: Rechargeable Batteries 312 Rechargeable Batteries 13 Rechargeable Batteries ZPower Silver-Zinc 37 mah 46 mah Lithium-ion --N/A-- 42 mah Nickel Metal Hydride 22 mah 30 mah

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20 Consumer Perspectives

21 MarkeTrak 9 (2015) Most Compelling Features Sought by Non-Owners of Hearing Aids: 1. Volume control on hearing aid 2. A rechargeable hearing aid 3. Program button for environments 4. Rechargeable batteries for hearing aids

22 What Do We Know? Battery life is getting shorter. ~88% of new hearing aids have wireless capabilities. Features and streaming consume batteries Feedback and noise management Ear-to-ear communication Wireless programming Streaming Patients are complaining about short battery life and the frequency at which they need to change batteries.

23 Understanding Battery Performance A battery s capacity: Charge stored by the battery Measure of the amount of energy that can be stored for a given weight or volume. Measured in mah Hearing aid drain Amount of energy takes to operate hearing aid. Measured in ma

24 Current Drain from Data Sheets Data Sheets Current Drain Data Sheet

25 What do we know? Inaccuracy of Datasheets little correlation between datasheet figures and measured real-life current consumption, even when hearing aids are used without the wireless streaming options activated. Relying on the datasheet is difficult and, in many cases, not sufficient when answering a hearing aid wearer s questions with regard to battery life. (Joergensen, Baekgaard, & Bendtsen, 2013)

26 Performance Standards (ANSI 3.22) All adaptive features (noise reduction, feedback suppression) should be disabled.

27 Typical Product Current Drain Data Sheets vs. Actual Current Drain Data Sheet No Stream Stream

28 Comparison of Battery Life 2.4 GHz products ZPower 312 Rechargeable Battery HA Operating Times with Streaming No Stream 1 hr. Stream 2 hr. Stream Full Time Stream Prod A Prod B Prod C Prod D 11.9 Prod D Prod C Prod B Prod A

29 How Do We Use This Information? Lifestyle Questions to Estimate Battery Life with Streaming

30 Estimating Battery Life How long do you wear your hearing aids on an average day? Time (in hours):

31 Streaming Questions During an average day, do you use your cellphone or other device such as ipad, Tablet, Personal computer (check all that apply)? Estimate how many total hours (or portion of hours) for each activity.

32 Estimating Total Streaming/Day Talk on your cellphone YES NO Time (In Hours) Listen to music Listen to books Listen to directions such as MapQuest Search the web or read web media (news, sports, etc.) Search web or view Facebook or other social media sites Skype, Facetime, WhatsApp, etc. Other Total Stream Time

33 Example: Estimating Battery Life for ZPower 312 Battery with 37 mah Effective Capacity Product: Non-stream: 1.8 ma; Stream: 3.3 ma How long do you wear your hearing aids on an average day? Time (in hours): 12

34 Example: Estimating Total Streaming/Day YES NO Time (In Hours) Talk on your cellphone X 1 Listen to music X 1 Listen to books Listen to directions such as MapQuest X 0.2 Search the web or read web media (news, sports, etc.) Search web or view Facebook or other social media sites Skype, Facetime, WhatsApp, etc. X Other Total Stream Time 3.0 hours

35 Estimated Battery Life (312 RIC Devices 12 Hours Use) Non-Stream in ma Stream in ma Total in ma* Product A ma [9 1.97] 14.4 ma [3 4.8] 32.1 ma * Product C 13.5 ma [9 1.5) 9.3 ma [3 3.1] 22.8 ma Product D 21.6 ma [9 2.4] 10.8 ma [3 3.6] 32.4 ma *ZPower 312 Rechargeable Battery has 37mAh effective capacity. 12 hours use with 3 hours streaming

36 Estimated Battery Life (312 RIC Devices 14 Hours Use) Non-Stream in ma Stream in ma Total in ma* Product A 21.7 ma [ ] 14.4 ma [3 4.8] 36.1 ma * Product C 16.5 ma [11 1.5) 9.3 ma [3 3.1] 25.8 ma Product D 26.4 ma [11 2.4] 10.8 ma [3 3.6] 37.2 ma *ZPower 312 Rechargeable Battery has 37mAh effective capacity. 14 hours use with 3 hours streaming

37 Key Messages Know your products Know the listening habits of your patients Know your batteries Select technology based on the individual needs of your patients

38 Unique Counseling Considerations for ZPower Systems

39 How often should the silver-zinc battery be charged? Fully charge the battery every night. Silver-zinc batteries will return to full capacity indicated by the lights turning from blinking green to solid green. A full charge may take up to 7 hours based on how much the battery was depleted during the day. User Should Not try to extend the battery by charging every other day. A fully depleted battery will take longer to charge and may not fully charge in time for next use.

40 mah Capacity Charge 6 hours Low Battery Warning ~10hrs NFMI Hearing Aid Charging Every Other Day (Current Drain after 11 hrs. use at 1.4mA plus 1 hr. with streaming 2.0mA. ZPower Silver-Zinc 312 Rechargeable Battery with 37mAh effective capacity) mAh Every other Day Charge Results 32.2mAh mAh 19.6mAh mAh 14.8mAh mAh Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Start of Day End of Day

41 Low Battery Warning ~6 hrs Product B 2.4 GHz Hearing Aid Charging Every Other Day (Current Drain after 11 hrs. use at 1.9mA plus 1 hr. with streaming 3.3mA. ZPower Silver-Zinc 312 Rechargeable Battery with 37mAh effective capacity) mAh Every Other Day Charge Results mAh 12.8mAh 0 Day 1 Day 2 Start of Day End of Day

42 What happens when Silver-Zinc Batteries are getting low on power? There will be a low battery warning sound. The user Should Not try to reboot the hearing aid by opening and closing the battery door. It could cause damage to the battery. Instead, replace the silver-zinc battery with a disposable zinc-air battery or place the hearing aids and rechargeable batteries in the charging base. If you remove the silver-zinc batteries from the hearing aids, do not store them with metal objects such as keys or coins. This can short-circuit batteries.

43 What happens if the battery cannot be charged? The ZPower System is a hybrid permitting the rechargeable silver-zinc battery to be used interchangeably with zinc-air. The silver-zinc batteries have a gold cap and is easily distinguished from zinc-air batteries.

44 When not in use, the hearing aids should be kept in the charger If the hearing aids are not being worn, it is best to leave them in the charging base to ensure they stay fully charged. The charging base will not overcharge the batteries and will ensure the batteries stay at full charge. Once the batteries reach full-charge, the flashing green lights will turn solid green. However, if left in the base, there could be a slight drop in the capacity of the battery and the lights may again begin flashing for a shorttime while the battery capacity is being topped-off. The charging base should not be unplugged with the hearing aids inserted. When there is no power to the charger, the hearing aids will turn on and the batteries will begin to discharge. If not in the ears, the hearing aids should be in the charger.

45 When not in use, can the battery door be left open? Unlike disposable zinc-air batteries, opening the battery door with the rechargeable silver-zinc batteries is not recommended. The battery door has electronics that will continue to draw current and drain the battery even when the door is open. It is best practice to leave the battery in the closed door and store the hearing aid in the charger when not in use. If the charger is not available either remove the batteries entirely from the hearing aids and store the batteries separately or leave the batteries in the hearing aids with the doors closed until they can be placed in the charger.

46 Use of Active Drying Systems with Silver-Zinc Only use a ZPower Approved Active Drying System. If an active drying system not approved by ZPower is used, the rechargeable batteries must be removed from the hearing aids prior to drying. Unapproved active drying systems may have temperature ranges that exceed the recommended drying temperature of 35c. High drying temperatures could cause the silver-zinc rechargeable battery to over discharge and may damage the battery. High drying temperatures also could shorten the operating time or lengthen the charge time of the battery.

47 Long Term Storage If the hearing aids are not going to be used for a few days, the hearing aids should be kept in the charger with the charger plugged in. If the charger is not available, the batteries should be removed from the hearing aids and properly stored.

48 FAQ Updates

49 Counseling Recommendations Know your products Evaluate your patient s daily listening and use habits Do they stream and, if so, how much? What type of streaming, i.e., NFMI or 2.4GHz? How many hours per day listening to music, watching TV, talking on phone? Counsel and select technology based on the individual needs of your patients. Match communication and listening needs with the right technology.

50 Why Patients Love Rechargeables Peace of Mind Patients no-longer have to worry about their hearing aids losing power at the worst possible moment Offers the flexibility to be used with disposable batteries Freedom from Hassle Patients don t have to struggle with changing tiny batteries Easy to Use At night, the hearing aids are placed on the charging stand, where they are fully charged in just 3 4 hours Safe and Eco-Friendly A single rechargeable battery can replace over 100 disposable batteries

51 Thank you for listening! Contact Us. (866) ZPower, LLC 4765 Calle Quetzal Camarillo, CA 93012