It is not easy to give a definitive answer to the question “Which type of hearing aid battery will I need?” because hearing aid types and designs vary widely, and so do the batteries that they use to power them. If you already use a hearing aid, check the device’s manual or the hearing care professionals who fit it for you to determine the proper battery size and type. If you don’t wear a hearing aid yet and are still trying to decide which type and model is right for you, do a little research to help you decide. The kind of batteries that a hearing aid takes can greatly alter the lifetime value of the unit because of variations in price and battery life.
To make things simpler for customers, hearing aid producers and those who manufacture the batteries for them have created a standardized color coding system to make the right size easier to find. Batteries of the same size and type will always have the same color code on their packaging, no matter who made them.
The 4 most common types are:
Size 10 hearing aid batteries have a yellow color code, and are currently the most extensively used, being used in a large number of In-The-Canal (ITC) and Completely-In-Canal (CIC) models; because of the smaller size, they have an approximated battery lifespan of roughly 80 hours.
Size 13 batteries tend to be used in Behind-the-Ear (BTE) and In-the-Ear (ITE) hearing aids, and have an average battery lifespan of 240 hours.
The color blue indicates Size 675 batteries. These batteries are comparatively large and will hold a long charge – roughly 300 hours. Size 675 batteries are common in cochlear implants and larger Behind-the-Ear (BTE) hearing aids.
A brown color code indicates a Size 312 battery, commonly used in In-The-Ear (ITE) and In-The-Canal (ITC) styles of hearing aids; due to their smaller size they have a battery life near 175 hours.
These are the most popular sizes of hearing aid batteries, but there are hearing aids that call for alternative ones. Most in-store providers of hearing aid batteries advertise and stock the most common battery sizes above, but if you request a special type, they can normally obtain it for you.
Be sure you consult the owner’s manual that comes with your hearing aid before purchasing batteries, because a number of the modern hearing aids take rechargeable batteries, so you need disposable batteries only as a backup in the event of emergencies. Also be aware that batteries lose their charge over time. You will get the best battery life by buying batteries that are new and storing them in the sealed original package in a cool place until you need to use them.