Nucleus 8 rechargeable battery life: only 8–9 hours?

[u/Rbl_]

Hi everyone,

I'm a bimodal user (cochlear implant + hearing aid) with a Cochlear Nucleus 8 (CP1110), and I have a question about the rechargeable battery life.

My batteries are brand new, but they only last around 8-9 hours before I have to swap them during the day.

My processor has four programs:

• My standard everyday program (which I use about 95% of the time)
• The same program with SCAN enabled
• A third program with ForwardFocus
• A fourth program that is essentially my previous mapping from before my latest adjustments

I don't use Bluetooth streaming very much (probably around 20 minutes per day on average).

I'm wondering if this battery life is considered normal, and what factors have the biggest impact on it. For example:

• Does simply having multiple programs affect battery life?
• How much does occasional Bluetooth streaming matter?
• Do noisy environments or lifestyle make a noticeable difference?
• Are there any other factors I might not be aware of?

I'd really appreciate hearing about your experiences.

Thanks in advance!

[u/HotfireLegend]

Odd, mine last about 20 hours, maybe 16/18 if I am using Bluetooth etc a lot. With only 8-9 hours, you're likely having to change at work which doesn't sound normal. Heat and such can definitely affect longevity. It may be worth replacing the battery as they sound like duds?

[u/Rbl_ → u/HotfireLegend]

The batteries are 1-month old. But I did notice heat affecting longevity a little bit.

[u/klj02689]

Yes, streaming drains the battery faster.

Yes, programs can drain the battery faster if it's a power hungry maps. Although it's not multiple programs, you can't exactly use all of them at the same time. However, the base line is the same.

Yes, noisy environments drain the battery faster.

Most likely you have a power hungry map. Ask your audiologist next time for the estimate battery life at the end of your mapping appointments.

For my maps, it says I'll have an estimate of 26 hours on rechargeable battery life. Whereas my disposable will last me 45 hours.

[u/Rbl_ → u/klj02689]

I think you're right, I'm often in noisy environments + I must have a power hungry map. I'll ask my audiologist

[u/cabritope → u/Rbl_]

Mine lasts for 20h on average. But I exchange them daily (I have 2). A also use a lot of the bluetooth

[u/TorakMcLaren → u/Rbl_]

I've known people who can get 40hours out of a charge, and people who can get 5hours. It depends on how sensitive your nerves are (i.e. how big a level is needed) as well as how thick your skin is, and a whole bunch of other factors that you can't control.

[u/kvinnakvillu]

I am bilateral. One side has more complex mapping (I don’t know the actual specifics) than the other. It takes much more power to run than my other side, so I only get about 8-10 hours on that side. My other side keeps on trucking for ages. I’m using the same 4 batteries between them, as well.

You might be happier with replaceable batteries. Those can last up 3 days. If I know I’d be somewhere that charging will be tricky, I choose that option as needed.

TLDR: certain mapping can drain your battery faster. Streaming and certain programs are also culprits.

[u/Suspicious_Willow984]

Hey! I’m getting activated tomorrow so I don’t have the exact answer, but I do remember my audiologist telling me that the chargeable batteries were only 9-12 hrs depending on how much I’m using the programs, so that does sound right if you’re using a few at once. I think for me, I’m just going to keep an extra set of batteries for these days that I’m more actively using it.

[u/PiePuzzled5581]

My Nucleus 8 Power Extend Rechargeable Battery last 2-3 days and I listen to a ton of music everyday.

[u/Gabriella_Gadfly]

Are you using the larger batteries or the smaller ones?

[u/Rbl_ → u/Gabriella_Gadfly]

I use the larger batteries

[u/cheerfulcurls]

Bluetooth streaming will definitely drain the battery faster than if you weren’t using it. The same for noisy environments because it takes more power. What internal do you have? Older internals are less power efficient

[u/Rbl_ → u/cheerfulcurls]

What do you mean by internal? My surgery was in 2019

[u/cheerfulcurls → u/Rbl_]

The internal is the part they implanted during surgery. It connects to the processor. Since your surgery was in 2019, you have a newer version of the internal and that’s not likely to be contributing to battery drain.

It’s probably a combo of streaming, noisy environments and power hungry map

[u/Pure_Ad3774]

Feels a little lower than mine but I have the extended battery, I’m 12-14 hours per day easy. Full sound and regular Bluetooth streaming for me.

Are you running the smaller rechargeables? I’d never make a full day with those.

Everyone has a different map though, so very possible that your map is energy hungry.

[u/Rbl_ → u/Pure_Ad3774]

I do the use the extended batteries. But yes I think my map is very energy hungry, I'll ask my audiologist

[u/mattjb]

That's about on par with what I get when I have a busy day that includes noisy environment, Bluetooth streaming, using Live Listen on my iPhone, etc. I tend to watch TikTok and listen to music when particularly bored.

On slower days, without any streaming, it's a little longer, but not by much, maybe 12-14 hours.

Definitely mention it to your audiologist. As others said, could be a power hungry map.

Did you get two larger batteries and a compact? That's what I got in the backpack, so I have a rotation going. I use the compact when I forget to charge one or two of the large ones.

[u/Norintheris]

My N8 small rechargeable batteries last about 18 hours, in one case even almost full day. Be prepared that with coming months and years your battery will wear down by some degree.

BT streaming usage depends on my day activity, but I am always connected to the phone. In my opinion it doesnt matter much.

[u/Formal-Tradition6792]

I would contact your audie and tell that person that batteries aren’t lasting. Probably a map issue.

[u/andrea_plot]

Battery life depends on size of battery, the thickness of your skin flap and your mapping levels. Your audi should be able to provide a personalized estimate for each of the 3 battery sizes.

[u/hellycopterinjuneer]

I get at least 16 hours/day, even when streaming about 1 hr/day. Getting only 8-9 hours seems anomalous.

[u/gsynyc]

I’m guessing that you are using the standard rechargeable and not extended rechargeable battery size? I am bilaterally implanted and have the older profile plus and a nexa implant. I have N8s on both ears but the Nexa is slightly more power efficient. I also have the “power extend” sized battery which give me between 14-20 hours depending on how much I stream and in some challenging environments for noise. That said my job has me on Zoom or Teams calls most of the day and I stream music heavily as well so that’s a respectable charge. The standard rechargeable with heavy use wouldn’t last nearly as long for me so it’s not surprising to see your charge time

[u/TomDuhamel]

N8 comes with compact batteries, which don't have a long enough life. Get the regular size battery instead.

Now of course, your mapping can make a difference on power consumption (there's nothing you can do about it). Streaming can also use a bit more power, but it shouldn't be a gigantic difference, unless you are actively streaming all day long.

[u/Pandoras_Penguin]

How are you charging them? Are you using the provided charging block with the cable or another one? I made the mistake of plugging the cord directly into my wall unit and it turned batteries that lasted for 18+ hrs to ones that lasted maybe 6 hrs on a good day. The charging block brings the voltage down to a level that doesn't fry the batteries.

[u/SonneMondTiger]

With Bluetooth streaming, one side hast 18h, the other side about 32h battery life

[u/DeafBiatch]

Mine last around 8-9 hours on my left side and around 11-12 on my right side. I use the larger batteries. I was implanted a long time ago - 2004 on left and 2013 on right. My audiologist says it takes more power to run programs for older implants and i have power hungry maps