I was told by ZPower earlier this year that they are working on producing batteries with longer life and possibly a redesign (version 2) of the charger itself–to correct the lights continuing to flash after the hearing aids are fully charged, etc. I think they must have gotten enough questions/complaints about the confusing lights and premature battery failure to decide that these matters need to be addressed ASAP. I don’t know if/when a new version will come out, but that was what I was told when I was in contact with ZPower in early 2019.
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ZPower : I gave up trying to use the rechargeables!! The entire system for me was too unreliable. Yes, I loved the convenience, when they worked – very seldom – never 3 days in a row. Failures could be 2 hours-5 hours-not charged overnight, etc. And sometimes they would last 14 hours! I was wasting too many disposables switching back and forth and it was a constant worry. I only get about 3.5 days from disposables, but I know when they will drain and I plan accordingly. I think ZPower’s issues are more than one problem, or it would have been fixed. The charger is a problem, the doors are crap, and the batteries are worse. All that said, I am really afraid of a sealed rechargeable hearing aid that does not allow the use of disposables. The Audis can’t fix ZPower’s manufacturing issues, so support is is not there for us at the patient/client level, regardless how much they try to help us.
I agree rechargeable batteries work in other areas – so it is unbelievable that ZPower is such a colossal failure. I’ve moved on – or backwards as it seems.
Really sorry about your ZPower experience, @Mago. I was (and still am) a bit leery of lithium-ion batteries too–but the nice thing about OPN-S is that the provider can swap out the LI battery in the office, and the hearing aid does not have to be sent back to Oticon to have the battery replaced. And the LI batteries last so much longer than the ZPower batteries. But I still miss having the flexibility of swapping to disposables if I need to. That was the one thing I really liked about ZPower.
Heck, that’s the only primary attraction of the ZPower system. Without that, I wouldn’t even consider its viability. Period.
I finally heard back from my audiologist … I have been trying to get some answers from Oticon regarding the problems/issues I’ve been having with Zpower charger/batteries,etc… She has not had any luck getting any answers from her Oticon rep who, according to the audiologist, has been trying to get the answers … But Oticon is offering to swap out my OPN1 (Zpowers) with OPN 1S (rechargables) at no cost to me… I’m on the fence right now, as I’m a bit hesitant given the issues I’ve had with the Zpowers not giving me a full day 
(= 14 hrs with several hours of streaming - mostly TV ) … am interested in any feedback from folks with the OPN S Lithium ion as to battery capacity,etc … at least with Zpower I can swap out to disposables if I need to … and don’t have to worry about power outages,etc … also, I understand the S are a bit larger/heavier as well… not sure I’d like that, as I have enough trouble with the OPN1/ZPOWER bothering me sometimes with my glasses behind the ears… TIA for any insights
I would definitely take them up on their offer. Not only is the charging approach different with the OPN S 1-R than with Z Power (S 1-R charges via induction; ZPower via direct contact; S 1-R uses Lithium Ion, etc.) but the technology behind the S 1 platform is also an upgrade from your current OPN 1 devices (feedback canceling is much improved). Additionally, your warranty starts anew on the day you take the new devices, and the charging system is covered for the same time period (three years) as the hearing aids themselves (including the lithium ion battery). ZPower (at least with Oticon) is a one year warranty vs. the longer warranty on the hearing aids.
You mention being concerned about the weight of the devices. Having handled both OPN 1 and OPN S 1-R, I don’t think in actual experience you would notice much difference.
Chris
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I would run to take up on the offer to switch to the OPN S 1 R as well. Wish I could have gotten that offer.
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Thanks! I appreciate your advice… someone suggested I ask for a 30 day trial period before I make the switch… I might ask audiologist about that although I’m not sure they will go for it, as she said it would "take some time " to get them if I decide to swap … not sure why that is - if they are back ordered or need some Oticon approval process or ??? and of course I just bought 2 zpower batteries on ebay (and zpower sent me one more as well…) so guess I would just have to “eat” that cost … I’m inclined to do the swap - esp if it comes with full 3 year warranty and wouldn’t impact my insurance (I get $2500 every 3 years and the next time I could use it will be next summer (2020) …
I agree with the others - Accept the offer to switch/upgrade to the OPN S1. I would want a trial also – negotiate less time if necessary. You are used to Oticon, I think you would be able to tell if you like them after a few days. I would make sure the OPN S 1 is 100 % brand new and not a refurbished set. That is an incredible offer. Your Audi’s rep is making this happen. I had a similar situation and upgraded from Alta’s to Alta Pro’s, after I had a lot of problems with the Altas during the first few months and then Oticon came out with the Alta Pros. The Oticon rep worked it out. Now I wear OPN 1 and would love the OPN S 1.
Let us know what you decide.
How would I be able to make sure they are “new”?
In my opinion it’d be a mute point whether they’re brand new or refurbished as long as you get the full warranty on them.
Thanks… guess that’s true… the email did say warranty would be “3 year l/d + repair” … I did notice the email said “OPN S LI rechargable” … it didn’t say 'OPN S 1" (I will need to make sure they are the 1 … although I’m not sure the S2 and S3 are rechargable? I’m probably way overthinking this …
I’d want to make sure they replace it with the S 1. It’s worth asking a question to confirm, then verify it after you receive it.
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And my saga with the Zpower battery unreliability issue continues. I bought into the ZPower rechargeable system at the end of February. By the end of March, both ZPower batteries started failing (not lasting all day) miserably. Sometimes I only get 4 hours from a full charge.
Fast forward to today, after getting a new pair of replacement batteries from my vendor, it took only 2 months of use before one of the 2 new ones started failing again. I used to get 14-16 hours in the beginning, now only 2 months later, 3 days in a row, I progressively got 12 hours, then 10 hours, then 8 hours of use for one of them on a full charge.
Heck, I didn’t have to wait for 8 months for them to start failing like some folks. My 2 pairs so far have gone bad within 1-2 months.
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Have you asked about exchanging these Zpower aids for a different pair? Maybe lithium ion or batteries.
I didn’t buy the ZPower system through my hearing provider with my hearing aids. I bought it from a third party eBay reseller for a good deal. But considering how badly the batteries perform, any ZPower system for any kind of deal now is a bad deal.
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Ok,
I missed that about used. Tuff break.
It’s frustrating for sure. I’ m still waiting to see when I’ll get my S1s . I hope Oticon comes through. I got a battery from zpower when I reached out to them and finally broke down and replaced my right one since it was dying (luckily I got 8 months out of it though. Not as bad as your experience). Maybe reach out to Zpower? I messaged on Facebook and they were pretty responsive. I read where they are coming out with “second generation zpower charger” as well as better battery doors but I doubt it will be available for Oticon since they have moved on. I did ask zpower but they didn’t respond to that question… at least we can use disposables. Still little consolation for the battery issues.
Thanks for the suggestion. I’ve reached out and contacted ZPower directly per their contact info on their web page. I’ll report back to see if they respond at all.
Just an update on my ZPower batteries issue. I’ve reached out to both ZPower directly via their own online contact system, and to my eBay vendor, starlights_exclusive_savings (who supposedly had 100% eBay rating) about trying to get replacement batteries for my bad ZPower batteries only 4 months into my ZPower system purchase.
The answer was cricket from both sides. Not even an acknowledgement or any kind of response to my inquiries. So much for a 100% rating from an eBay vendor (starlights_exclusive_savings is the vendor name). She sells hearing aids and hearing aid related products on eBay.