What Size of Battery Does My Hearing Aid Require?

September 9, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Unfortunately, there is no simple answer to the question “What kind of battery does my hearing aid need?” because hearing aid models and the batteries that power them common in many varieties. The simplest scenario to deal with is if you currently own a hearing aid; if that’s the case, read the owner’s manual that was included with the device or get in touch with the professionals who fit it for you to verify the correct battery type. In the event that you don’t use a hearing aid yet and are looking to decide which type and model is best for you, do a little research to help you decide. Hearing aid batteries vary greatly in price, and in battery life, so your selection of hearing aid can affect the amount of money you spend over time to use it.

To make things easier for consumers, hearing aid producers and those who make the batteries for them have developed a standardized color coding system to make them easier to find. No matter who the maker is, hearing aid batteries of a specific type and size will always have the identical color code on their packages.

The primary battery sizes and types to be aware of are:

Size 13 / Orange – Hearing aid batteries with a color code of orange are Size 13, and fit Behind-the-Ear (BTE) and In-the-Ear (ITE) types of hearing aids; their battery life is normally around 240 hours.

Size 312 / Brown – A brown color code indicates a Size 312 battery, generally used in In-The-Ear (ITE) and In-The-Canal (ITC) styles of hearing aids; because of their smaller size they generally have battery life of 175 hours.

Size 10 / Yellow – Yellow indicates Size 10 batteries. Size 10 are the smallest and most abundant type of hearing aid battery with a typical battery life of 80 hours. This size of battery is commonplace in Completely-In-Canal (CIC) and In-The-Canal (ITC) hearing aids.

Size 675 / Blue – The blue color code always identifies Size 675 batteries, which are often used in cochlear implants and larger Behind-The-Ear (BTE) style hearing aids; the 675 batteries have an average life of 300 hours.

These are the most popular types and sizes of hearing aid batteries, but there are hearing aids that call for alternative ones. If yours need one of these alternate types, most merchants that sell batteries can order them for you.

Be sure to read your owner’s manual carefully before purchasing bulk quantities of hearing aid batteries. If your unit uses rechargeable batteries, you will only need disposable batteries for emergencies. Furthermore, remember to always store your hearing aid batteries at room temperature in their sealed packages to make sure that they keep their full charge.

Filed Under: Caring for Your Hearing Aid Tagged With: , ,

In Truth, What is a Normal Life for Hearing Aid Batteries Under Real-Life Conditions

May 30, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Even though the battery life for hearing aids might seem a straightforward question to answer, in truth it varies according to a variety of factors. Just how long a battery lasts is dependent upon who manufactured it, and may even vary between different hearing aid models from the exact same manufacturer. How you use your hearing aid will also affect battery life; the more hours a day yours is turned on, the more often you will use up batteries.

Additionally, there are differences in battery life across battery manufacturers, and the exact same manufacturer may offer different lines of batteries, some that last for a longer period of time than others. Battery life also hinges on battery type; for example some varieties are only being drained when they are inside a hearing aid that is switched on, and other varieties (such as, zinc-air batteries) start losing stored energy as soon as you take away the adhesive strip on the bottom of the battery and they’re in contact with oxygen, whether the hearing aid is on or not.

If you are in the market for a new hearing aid, you may wish to do some research in advance to see which have the best ratings for battery life, because that could influence your decision about which type or which model of hearing aid to purchase. In the same way, a little time invested in research may help you uncover better batteries for your existing hearing aids. To make things somewhat easier for you, hearing aid batteries are available in 4 common sizes, each of which is marked with a specific color code, which is always the same no matter who the manufacturer is. The following list of battery life is an approximation, of course, but it may give you a general idea of how long hearing aid batteries of each size should last:

  • 80 hours – #10 – Yellow
  • 175 hours – #312 – Brown
  • 240 hours – #13 – Orange
  • 300 hours – #675 – Blue

To ensure the longest life for your batteries when they’re in the hearing aid, turn the hearing aid off when you are not wearing it. And to make sure batteries you’ve already bought but have not used yet stay fresh and retain their power as long as possible, store them indoors in their original unopened packages, and at room temperature.

Filed Under: Caring for Your Hearing Aid Tagged With: , , ,

A Primer on Rechargeable Hearing Aid Batteries

January 9, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Theoretically, re-chargeable batteries for hearing aids are definitely a great idea, but in the past this idea didn’t always succeed in reality. Early rechargeable hearing aid batteries were so large that they could only be used in over-the-ear type aids; they also took hours to recharge and then didn’t hold a charge for very long. Instead of the 12 to 14 hours of use that hearing aid wearers need, these early batteries commonly lasted only 5 to 6 hours.

Numerous technological advancements were needed to make rechargeable batteries a practical option. Batteries became smaller and held a charge longer. And the rechargers themselves were redesigned. Together, these enhancements propelled rechargeable hearing aid batteries so far forward that they are now more eco-friendly and often more cost-efficient than disposable batteries. To emphasize these two qualities, during a 3-year span a binaural (both ears) hearing aid user will go through an average of 300 disposable batteries, which would have to be replaced at a cost of 300 to 400 dollars, and would have to be disposed of. In the same time period, the cost of rechargeable batteries (plus the charger) would be about $100 to $200 dollars.

Other benefits of rechargeable batteries include, interestingly enough, having to open fewer sealed-tightly-in-plastic-to-avoid-easy-access battery packages, which can often be a challenge for those over 70, who just happen to be the primary wearers of hearing aids. With some rechargeable hearing aids, you don’t even need to open them to remove the batteries; simply place the entire aid in a recharging unit over night, and it’s all done for you automatically. There are even portable battery rechargers, the size of a pen, which you can use anywhere because they don’t need to be plugged into a wall socket.

Rechargeable hearing aid batteries may have gotten off to a rocky start, but today that are an excellent viable option. They will help you save money and reduce waste. And, you can always revert to disposable batteries in a pinch. If you don’t have access to your charger, just pop in a few disposable batteries in the meantime.

Filed Under: Caring for Your Hearing Aid Tagged With: , ,

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