What is a lithium-ion battery?
A lithium-ion (Li-Ion) battery is the most popular rechargeable battery technology used in consumer electronics. It creates energy by moving lithium ions within the battery cell from a negative to positive electrode. It has achieved high use in consumer products because it is lightweight, low maintenance and has a high battery capacity allowing for long use after a short charge cycle. It is already used in many electronics like cellular phones, headphones, and tablets.
Why was a rechargeable lithium-ion battery selected for a hearing aid system?
Lithium-ion is an ideal battery for a hearing aid system because it allows for a full day of use even when streaming from accessories or a smartphone. There is no memory effect within the battery so it can be charged daily and there is no need to fully discharge the battery before placing it back in the charger.
Is it safe to travel on an airplane with a lithium-ion rechargeable hearing aid?
Yes, it is safe to wear these lithium-ion rechargeable hearing aids on a plane and to bring the charger on board. It is also safe to check the hearing aids and/or charger in your luggage. They have passed safety and quality tests and their size is below the allowed maximum.
The limitations to having lithium-ion batteries in checked bags revolve around “uninstalled” lithium-ion batteries. Because both the charger and hearing aids have “installed” lithium-ion batteries the restriction does not apply.
There is a watt hour limitation (100 watt hours) to check a lithium-ion battery as well. The rechargeable system is within these limitations making them safe to carry-on or check on an airplane.
Can I ship my lithium-ion rechargeable hearing aids?
Shipping regulations can change so the best action would be to check with the post office on the current requirements for your exact shipment.
What if my battery doesn’t last all day?
Consult your hearing professional on what the proper battery expectations are for the hearing aids you have based off your usage.
Can I ship my lithium-ion rechargeable hearing aids?
Shipping regulations can change so the best action would be to check with the post office on the current requirements for your exact shipment.
Will my lithium-ion rechargeable battery last longer if I don’t charge it every night?
Unlike NiCad batteries, lithium-ion batteries do not have a charge memory. That means deep-discharge cycles are not required. So, the best practice is to charge your hearing aids every night.
How do I dispose of my lithium-ion rechargeable hearing aid?
Starkey encourages, and your local community laws may require, that your hearing aids and charger be disposed of via your local electronics recycling/disposal process.
Reference: www.batteryuniversity.com