OnStride Solutions: Custom Battery Testing Software for Hearing Aid Devices

• Client: OnStride Solutions
• Services: Custom Software Development
• Sector: Healthcare
• Location: UK

Aim: Automating a Critical Testing Process

For hearing aid users, batter reliability is non-negotiable. Faulty batteries can result in missed communication, reduced quality of life, and increased return rates.

To support OnStride Solutions in delivering consistent quality for their rechargeable hearing aids, I-Finity developed a bespoke Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) application that automates the battery process.

The software connects directly to custom hardware to monitor charge and discharge cycles – ensuring each battery performs to the highest standard before reaching the end user.

Software Development Objectives

The goal was to create a WPF desktop application that could:

• Seamlessly integrate with a proprietary battery testing device via USB.
• Repeatedly charge and discharge batteries, monitoring results in real-time.
• Scale to support an unlimited number of devices simultaneously.
• Deliver a stable and user-friendly experience, even with highly sensitive hardware.

What we did

• USB Hardware Integration: Developed a robust connection between the application and the hardware via USB, using a standardised set of commands to communicate with the onboard programmable chipset.
• Built for Scale: The app was designed to support simultaneous testing across multiple hardware units - scaling to meet production needs without performance compromise.
• Navigating Hardware Fragility: The physical hardware was extremely sensitive - prone to damage from static electricity. Our solution ensured stable communication and handling, even in delicate environments.
• Managing Testing Complexity: Battery testing required repeated, time-intensive charging and discharging. The app was built with the ability to handle continuous cycles reliably and display up-to-date status information across devices.

Technology Profile

• Application Framework: Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF).
• Hardware Communication: USB integration with programmable chipsets.

Results

OnStride Solutions now benefits from a powerful desktop application that automates a previously manual, time-consuming testing process.

With the ability to monitor multiple batteries simultaneously, reliability and efficiency have both improved – helping ensure every hearing aid leaves production powered by a battery users can trust.

Let’s chat about your integration challenges and how we can help you build a rock-solid solution. Get in touch to explore how we can help.