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Th e b e t t e r ba t t e r y .
FAQs
Who is ZPower?
ZPower started in 1997 with the purpose of developing and manufacturing high energy rechargeable batteries using
silver-zinc (AgZn) technology. AgZn possesses the highest energy density of all rechargeable battery technologies,
even greater than today’s ubiquitous lithium-ion batteries. Due to its high energy content and inherent safety, it has
been used extensively for military and aerospace applications, including missiles, submarines, and spacecraft. Over
our history we’ve improved and adapted AgZn technology for use in portable electronics, including notebook PCs,
smart phones, and most recently hearing aids. We’ve been awarded and have in process over 100 patents worldwide
and have worked with hearing aid manufacturers since 2007. We currently employ 60 people and manufacture at our
headquarters in Southern California.
What is silver-zinc?
Silver and zinc are the materials that comprise the electrodes within a silver-zinc battery. Unlike its cousins (e.g., silver
oxide used in watch batteries and zinc air primarily used in hearing aids), silver zinc is rechargeable. Among all of the
practical rechargeable battery systems, silver-zinc ranks near the top of the list in terms of greatest energy content per
weight and volume. It uses a safe, water-based electrolyte comparable to that within household alkaline batteries, and
unlike the flammable electrolyte used in lithium-ion batteries. Silver-zinc batteries have a potential of 1.8 V compared to
1.6 V for silver oxide and 1.4 V for zinc-air batteries.
What are the benefits of ZPower batteries for hearing aids?
Avoiding the hassle and inconvenience of purchasing and changing batteries is the primary benefit of rechargeability.
These annoyances are in fact increasing with new, power hungry wireless hearing aids that communicate with smart
phones in addition to processing sound. Unfortunately, rechargeable battery technology has achieved very limited
adoption over the years, starting with nickel-cadmium and currently with nickel metal hydride. The primary reason for
their meager deployment is that nickel based batteries simply don’t pack enough energy to power digital hearing aids
a full day. This is especially true for modern wireless devices using size 312 batteries. Silver-zinc answers the all day
challenge by doubling the run time of current rechargeables, providing 18-36 hours of operation on a single charge.
Finally, a battery technology for hearing aids that delivers all the benefits we enjoy with our other portable electronics
devices!
Can I use ZPower batteries in my existing or new hearing aids?
Since most hearing aids currently on the market use only disposable batteries, they have no means of charging a battery.
And having to remove a battery from the hearing aid for charging negates a key benefit of rechargeability. So in order
to deliver the benefits of rechargeability to existing hearing aids, ZPower developed a rechargeable solution consisting
of a custom battery door that replaces the hearing aid’s original door. The new door contains electronics that properly
connect the high energy silver-zinc battery to the hearing aid and have gold contacts to enable charging when the
hearing aid is placed in ZPower’s binaural charger. Attaching ZPower’s door is as simple as replacing a broken door
and can be performed by hearing care professionals at their office. Our door opens and closes the same as the original
door and retains compatibility with zinc-air batteries should you forget to charge your hearing aids. ZPower will launch
its rechargeable battery solution on a limited number of hearing aid models and will release additional models as they
become available from our development team.
When should I replace my ZPower battery with a new one?
We recommend you visit your hearing care professional once a year to have your hearing aid serviced and the battery
replaced to insure optimum performance.
Can I still use zinc-air batteries in the ZPower door?
Yes, you can! Should you forget to charge your hearing aids or take your charger during travel, you can remove the
ZPower batteries and replace them with zinc-air. Just remember to store your ZPower batteries in a safe place and not
throw them away!
Do ZPower batteries look different than zinc-air batteries?
Yes they do. Most noticeable is the blue color band around the middle portion of ZPower batteries. Also, ZPower
batteries are completely sealed and don’t have air holes on the bottom side. The absence of air holes also means NO
ANNOYING TABS to remove!
Will using ZPower batteries with the rechargeable solution affect my hearing aid’s performance
or life?
No, there will be no negative impact on the hearing aid. The battery, door, and charger have been thoroughly tested
by ZPower and highly respected testing laboratories to verify compatibility with your hearing aid. Your hearing aid may
possibly last a little longer since you won’t be opening and closing the door every day.
Are ZPower batteries better for our environment?
Did you know our society dumps about 1.4 billion hearing aid batteries into our waste stream every year, and that
number will double within the next 10 years? A single silver-zinc battery replaces over 100 disposable batteries and is
fully recyclable. ZPower offers a program to collect silver-zinc batteries from hearing care professionals for recycling,
thus minimizing those that make it into landfills. And of course they are mercury-free.
ZPower is a registered trademark of ZPower, Inc. Trademarks and trade names are the property of their respective companies.
ZPower, Inc.
4765 Calle Quetzal, Camarillo, CA 93012
www.zpowerbattery.com | Tel: 805 445 7789
Copyright © 2015 ZPower, Inc.