My friend Ann had her first appointment with an audiologist. Ann has some other appointments and Costco is on the list, but Ann came away with thrree questions and she and I thought some of you might be able to lend a little clarification as we have been unable to find the answers via internet research:
The audiologist pointed Ann toward two pieces of instrumentation and said one of them is what many other audiologists use and that is a “REM Simulator” - it didn’t have a monitor and was pointed as if it was not worthy to use. But this audiologist said pointing toward another device with a monitor , this is a REM and it is used in situ** … meaning that it is individually customized versus the REM simulator. What is the difference between a REM simulator and REM that tis customized for the individual?
The audiologist wanted Ann to purchase the Oticon Intent hearing aide. It sounded like a wonderful hearing device, but when Ann questioned them about the pros and cons and/or other choices in the line and brands the audiologist soured. They said if they had to pick a second to Oticon they would choose Starkey (but it was clear that the audiologist sold the top of the line Oticon and that was pretty much it). Ann’s question is what other brands of hearing aides use disposable batteries? Ann may, at times, not have access to electricity (travels) and disposable batteries would be very helpful. Ann is in the US. Uploading: Screenshot 2025-08-03 at 8.28.03 PM 2.png…
The audiologist was selling the top of the line Oticon Hearing Aide to Ann and Ann thinks it is unlikely she really needs, in this moment, all the bells and whistles. She does want to hear as best she can but wonders if the top of the line is something she really needs?
We both found it rather difficult to determine the answer to these questions via researching the internet, so if anyone has any sources of info, Ann would love to know.
The older I get the less tolerance I have for this kind of behavior. It’s Ann’s hearing and Ann’s money. If this audiologist doesn’t want to discuss alternatives, I’d bet Ann can find one that will.
I went through something similar recently. My audiologist of four years won’t bill my insurance for new hearing aids, so I found a new one who would. It was cordial. I wasn’t mean or anything, I just said, let me think about it, and then I went elsewhere.
Ann should be able to get her questions answered. Even though it may take time and effort to figure it all out.
A REM simulator is a computer program that mimics the process of Real Ear Measurement (REM), while a customized REM is a personalized hearing aid fitting process that uses real ear measurements to optimize amplification for an individual’s unique hearing loss and ear canal characteristics.
The aids with all the “bells and whistles” use rechargeable batteries because of the high power demand by the latest chips such as those used with AI.
If Ann does not really require the the latest and greatest, there are still hearing aids produced from most of the main manufactures that use disposable batteries which should suit her loss.
Many rechargeable hearing aids batteries last 30+hours and, some of them come with a portable charger that does not need to be plugged in if you are on the road. My charger, for example, can be unplugged for a whole week.
I believe Starkey has a model that uses disposable batteries. I don’t think any of the Costco models do anymore because they give you a portable battery charger.
BarryH thank you for your thoughts and for sharing the difference between the REM simulator and the process of Real Ear Measurement - it sounds like the “process of Real Ear Measurement” is what Ann is looking for.
OcramSagev, 30 plus hours - that sounds impressive, especially that some portable chargers don’t need to be plugged in if on the road. Sorry to hear about Costcoo not providing hearing devices with disposable batteries, nice to know that Starkey does. I heard Phonak also does, but I also read of issues although what I read may not be up to date info.
Purchasing hearing aides takes time. Time to ferret out all the details and particulars.
What does isetu mean with respect to the REM process vs Real Ear Measurement Simulator? Can “isetu” be done with the former or later and/or with other types processes? I had though Real Ear Measurement was the gold standard, but maybe I was wrong?
I believe the Jabra at Costco has replaceable batteries but you lose the AI dnn for noise. Regardless of loss, most everyone with an aid struggles in noisy situations and environments. But betting if she trialed rechargeables she would most likely perfer them. The charger holds 4+ extra charges along with the aids lasting 2 days on a charge. If you need more charges than that you can bring along a few portable power banks.
@4mulch, Oticon Intent is great, however I expect new Oticon lineup since about Jan 2026 (probably).
Regarding battery life - I have Audeo Infinio Sphere 90. Full battery is enough for slightly over 30h, so even 2 full days of use.
The charger is very sleek, lightweight and has battery, which is enough for 3x charging of pair of Spheres. So, a fully charged pair of spheres and a battery charger is enough for ~8 days.
With a USB power bank, it will be enough for even longer.
Having forgotten my charger on a couple of trips, I chose Phonak Audeo Lumity L90-312 last year - right about the time that the child-proof packaging for zinc-air batteries appeared
@Bimodal_user. Great info on the Oticon lineup possibly happening in 1/2026 and also the battery life on your Audeo Infinio Sphere 90’s is helpful. I’ll be sure to pass this along. Ann and I had heard the charger was good for only 20 hours and that it had had issues (must be old news). And the power bank idea is a good one too. Many thanks!
I have never had any issues with the charger for Infinios or Paradises. Charger for Paradises don’t have built-in battery, but I simply had it connected to my powerbank in my backpack.
Assuming that Sphere have maybe equivalent of 200-300 mAh, even small powerbanks and their ~75% efficiency is much for charging.
Zinc-air 675s disposable batteries, which are roughly the same size as rechargeable Li-ion one in the Sphere has about 600 mAh.
