I have the charging base (and power cord to plug it in), but rarely take trips of just 2-3 days. Mine last 2+ weeks or even a few months. So I absolutely need the base, the power cord and a verrrrrry reliable, accessible source of power to plug that into.
Last fall I had problems with my aids lasting more than 11 hrs. I didn’t know if the prob was the aids or the charging base. Turns out it was the OS on my Android phone. But the whole game is more complex now. With just aids + battery, you can quickly test either one and get a definitive answer for what needs fixing or replacing. Dead battery? Change it. Aid not working? Send it in.
I ended up taking in the whole shebang of aids + charging base and getting the aids sent in to Phonak with a replacement charging base given to me “just in case that was the prob” as per the Phonak rep at my audi’s office.
With my hearing loss, I’m gonna drain a pair of charged-up aids MUCH faster than the ordinary Joe. Toss in some streaming TV at night or music while I’m cleaning house, and I’m gonna have to charge my aids up in way WAY less than 24 hrs. I can’t even go ONE single day without a chargeup.
I’ve lived in earthquake country, and now am in hurricane country. World is going to he!! in a handbasket, and so it niggles me that I will need to plug my charger in and charge up my aids before the day is out - no matter if Martians land. It has to be done. With batteries, I’d travel with a month’s supply, could camp for a week in the wilderness and no prob.
I guess that is the “old” normal that I miss. No going back to it unless rechargeables can give us MORE DAYS (not hours) of use.