Unfortunately, there is no one answer to the question “Which size of battery will my hearing aid need?” because hearing aid models and the batteries that power them vary widely. For anyone that already wears a hearing aid the user manual should clearly specify which battery is required. Alternatively you can get in touch with the hearing care professional that fit you with the device to ask. For anyone purchasing a first hearing aid you will be able to learn a lot with some comparison research. Hearing aid batteries vary greatly in cost, and in battery life, so your selection of hearing aid will affect the amount of money you spend in the long run to use it.
Fortunately, hearing aid battery product packaging utilizes a standardized color coding scheme. Irrespective of who the maker is, hearing aid batteries of a certain type and size will always have the same color code on their packages.
The four most common varieties are:
Yellow (#10) – The color yellow indicates Size 10 hearing aid batteries. These are the smallest and most plentiful size of hearing aid battery with a typical battery life of 80 hours. Size 10 batteries are standard in In-The-Canal (ITC) and Completely-In-Canal (CIC) hearing aids.
Brown (#312) – Brown always means Size 312 batteries. Size 312 batteries are on the smaller side and typically maintain a charge approximately 175 hours. These batteries are commonly found in In-The-Ear (ITE) and In-The-Canal (ITC) hearing aids.
Orange (#13) – Size 13 batteries tend to be used in Behind-the-Ear (BTE) and In-the-Ear (ITE) hearing aids, and they have an expected battery lifespan of 240 hours.
Blue (#675) – Size 675 is always coded blue, and is popular in Behind-The-Ear (BTE) hearing aids and in some cochlear implants; the 675 batteries are rather large and have the benefit of a longer charge, lasting up to 300 hours.
These are the most common sizes of hearing aid batteries, although there are hearing aids that call for alternative ones. Most hearing aid battery retailers stock the more common battery sizes above, however if you request a specific type, they can normally get it for you.
Be sure to study your owner’s manual carefully before buying bulk quantities of batteries. If your device uses rechargeable batteries, you will only need disposable batteries as a back up. Also be aware that hearing aid batteries lose their charge over time. You’ll get the best battery life by buying batteries that are fresh and storing them in the sealed original package in a cool place until you are ready to use them.