Westchester citizens who wear hearing aids probably have little idea that the batteries powering their crucial devices may have come from VARTA Microbattery, a leading German battery and energy storage systems firm, whose North American arm, VARTA Mircrobattery Inc., is located right here inRye. The firm has been based in Westchester for more than 40 years (in Elmsford and White Plains before its current location in Rye) handling VARTA’s North and South American sales, engineering, supply chain, and marketing duties. (The batteries themselves are manufactured in Germany.)
Most consumers are unfamiliar with VARTA’s power one brand because the company sells directly to hearing aid manufacturers, distributors, audiologists, hearing instrument specialists and healthcare providers. But VARTA keeps end consumers top of mind when designing and manufacturing its products, notes Bill Flanagan, President and CEO. “Our products are manufactured for ease of use and dependability with the consumer in mind,” he explains. For instance, extra-long tabs make it easy to remove the battery cells from the packaging and insert them into the hearing aid. “The practical rotating dispenser allows cells to be taken from the packaging when ready for use and ensures that cells will not fall out,” Flanagan adds.
The company’s newest product releases continue that consumer-focused tradition, helping to provide users with long service life, pure sound, and premium quality in the hearing aid. At last month’s AudiologyNOW! conference and exhibition in Orlando, VARTA debuted three new products from its power one brand: power one wireless approved MERCURY-FREE Type 13 and 312 batteries, and power one IMPLANT plus Type 13 battery.
The MERCURY-FREE Type 13 and 312 models work well with the modern design of today’s hearing instruments. “The latest generation of digital hearing instruments offer Bluetooth capabilities that allow the wearer to connect with other devices such as home phones, smart phones, television, and other multimedia devices. The power one size 13 and 312 Wireless Approved batteries are designed for maximum performance in these sophisticated hearing instruments,” Flanagan explains.
VARTA’s other new product, the power one IMPLANT plus Type 13 battery, provides an optimum hearing experience for hearing aids with high-power applications such as streaming. It is designed for use in Bone Anchored Hearing instruments commonly known as “BAHA” devices, which require a surgical procedure, while the two other new batteries designed for traditional aids that are worn behind the ear, in the ear and in the canal.
All three products use VARTA’s patented cathode technology, which provides optimum power with consistent high voltage. “Maintaining high voltage gives the hearing instrument more usable capacity, giving you more running time,” explains Flanagan.
 |
 |
