Yes
Half dead NiMH cells, they are unable to collaborate as we should expect at trickle charge.
Battery charger trickle charge mode, this offer a pulse of DC current, every few seconds.
A good working battery with normal or small internal resistance, this can use this DC current pulse, so it voltage this to elevate a bit.
Trickle charge concept this has it roots at Law of Ohms.When battery cell internal resistance this increases to much.
DC current fixed pulse this becomes ineffective.
Therefore the expectation, of this battery cell to retain a stable
top-up voltage, this is not electrically possible.
No one can get away, or violate the Law of Ohms.

A few more explanation's they can be found here.
https://www.ittsb.eu/forum/index.php?topic=2159.0