Hearing Aid Batteries

Hearing aid batteries come in different sizes and colors. The size and shape variation determine the different styles of hearing aids available on the market. During your hearing aid fitting, your audiologist will discuss how to best take care of your hearing aid batteries. They will also tell you what type of batteries are needed for the hearing aid.

Types of batteries

There are two types of hearing aid batteries: zinc-air and rechargeable. Zinc-air batteries were the first on the market and are the most common. These batteries are activated as soon as a factory-sealed sticker is removed from the back of the battery, exposing it to oxygen. Rechargeable batteries are newer to the market and are available in every size; however, not all hearing aids can take rechargeable batteries.

Each battery is available in four sizes: 10, 312, 13 and 675.

  • Size 10: 5.8 mm wide by 3.6 mm high
  • Size 312: 7.9 mm wide by 3.6 mm high
  • Size 13: 7.9 mm wide by 5.4 mm high
  • Size 675: 11.6 mm wide by 5.4 mm high

Because the sizes can be challenging to remember, hearing aid battery manufacturers created an easy-to-remember, color-coded system:

  • Size 10 batteries: Yellow label
  • Size 312 batteries: Brown label
  • Size 13 batteries: Orange label
  • Size 675 batteries: Blue label

Common types of hearing aid batteries include:

  • Size 13 batteries/Orange label: In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids
  • Size 312 batteries/Brown label: Completely-in-canal (CIC) hearing aids
  • Size 10 batteries/Yellow label: In-the-canal (ITC) and CIC hearing aids
  • Size 675/Blue label: Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids

Based on the size, hearing aid battery life is as follows:

  • Size 10/Yellow: 5.8 mm wide by 3.6 mm high — 80 hours
  • Size 312/Brown: 7.9 mm wide by 3.6 mm high — 175 hours
  • Size 13/Orange: 7.9 mm wide by 5.4 mm high — 240 hours
  • Size 675/Blue: 11.6 mm wide by 5.4 mm high — 300 hours

Extending the life of your batteries

While there are no tried and true methods of enhancing the life of your batteries, there are ways to ensure you get the most out of them. Make sure to heed the following:

  • Store hearing aid batteries at room temperatures; avoid exposing or keeping them at extreme heat or cold. Batteries should not be refrigerated.
  • Handle batteries with clean, dry hands. Grease, dirt or grime could damage or corrode the battery or hearing aid.
  • Keep the battery compartment of the hearing aid open at night to avoid corrosion and damage.
  • Remove dead batteries from the hearing aid immediately.
  • Turn the hearing aid off when not wearing to save battery life. Remove the battery entirely from the device if you’re not wearing it for extended periods of time.