There are several types of hearing aid batteries, classified by size and color coding. The size of battery needed will depend on the particular type and model of the hearing aid. Most hearing aids use one of five standard button cell battery sizes, each represented by a color code.
The colors make battery selection and shopping easier for the consumer. Blue represents the most commonly used battery size, 675. Yellow represents size 10 batteries. Brown is for size 312 and orange is for size 13. Some of the smallest batteries, size 5, are coded red.
Cochlear implant hearing aids are used for those with significant hearing loss to deafness. Batteries for these hearing aids are made from zinc. They are typically 1.45 volts, which allows them to last longer and be changed less frequently.
Some cochlear hearing aids will require high-powered zinc batteries, designed for longer life and better quality of sound for certain implants. Whether a cochlear implant requires a high-powered battery or not will depend on the hearing aid design and the user’s particular “map” or cochlear implant programming. Some cochlear implants can get by with standard zinc batteries, and the use of high-powered over standard does not necessarily promise a longer battery life or better performance.
Zinc button cell hearing aid batteries are small and round. They have a small tab attached, color coded to match the standard size. When this tab is removed, the oxygen in the air combines with the zinc to activate the battery. This method ensures the battery remains fresh and charged at the point of purchase. Hearing aid batteries can also be tested by a small machine made for this purpose, which will tell the user how much life remains in the battery.
Rechargeable batteries are also available for hearing aids. These are NiMH based and can be charged approximately 300 times. No matter what the battery chemistry, sizes are generally standard among all hearing aid battery types.
A standard hearing aid battery will usually last for approximately two weeks. The smaller the hearing aid is, the smaller the battery, and the shorter the battery life. The extent of the battery life will depend on the type of hearing aid speaker and the class of amplifier. Hearing aid batteries should not be stored in the refrigerator, but at room temperature.
In addition, batteries should never be forced into the hearing aid. If a battery does not fit properly, it should be closely inspected to verify the size. The user should then consult with the hearing aid documentation to confirm the correct battery has been chosen. The correct size battery should fit easily.