A New Standard for Advanced Wireless Devices

Hearing Aid manufacturers have been launching new hearing aids which make use of Bluetooth wireless technology to enable connection with other devices. To keep up with these developments, a new standard for high performance batteries was developed. This was known as the GenX battery.

To allow hearing professionals and users to easily recognize these batteries, all GenX batteries had the GenX logo on the packaging.

What are GenX Batteries?

The next generation of hearing aids require a zinc-air battery able to deliver higher peak current. A design characteristic of the GenX batteries is the increased number of holes in the casing needed to increase the rate of self discharge - about 15% more than standard zinc air batteries. Wearers of conventional hearing instruments will experience a shorter battery life when using GenX batteries.

The GenX battery was originally required not only for the wireless link but also for the overall system start-up. If a standard zinc-air battery was used, the wireless link may be initially established but the hearing aid instrument may not boot-up as the battery capacity decreases.

GenX Batteries no longer manufactured

During 2009, hearing aid manufacturers continued to refine the programs for the new hearing aids. As a result of these refinements, the power demands have been reduced.

Once the hearing aid program has been updated it is possible to use standard zinc-air hearing aid batteries instead of the GenX batteries. As a result of this development, production of the GenX battery has ceased and there are limited remaining stocks of the GenX batteries.

If you are still using GenX batteries, it is recommended you pay a visit to your audiologist or hearing care professional at the earliest possible convenience to get the program of your hearing aid updated. 

Hearing Aid Batteries Express has sold out of the Gen X batteries.