The question of just how long hearing aid batteries should be expected to last is not as easy to answer as it seems, because battery performance is dependent upon numerous factors. Just how long a battery lasts is dependent upon which company manufactured it, and can even vary between different models from the exact same manufacturer. The way you use your hearing aid will also impact battery life; the more hours each day yours is switched on, the more often you will consume batteries.
The batteries themselves are a crucial factor. Batteries of the same size from different manufacturers will have distinct lives. And there will be variation within one battery manufacturer if they offer premium or extended-life lines. Battery life also hinges on battery type; for example some varieties are only discharging power when they are inside a hearing aid that is on, and other varieties (for example, zinc-air batteries) start burning stored energy as soon as you take away the adhesive strip on the bottom of the battery and they are exposed to oxygen, whether the hearing aid is turned on or not.
Because the cost of batteries adds up, if you’re looking for a new hearing aid, you should do some research to see which types and models of hearing aids are known for the best battery life, because that may influence your choice. If you have an existing hearing aid and are looking for the most long-lasting batteries for it, the Internet can be a wonderful source of comparative ratings and reports.
Hearing aid and battery manufacturers have worked to make things easier by standardizing their sizes and using unique color codes for each battery size which is the same for every manufacturer. Take a look at the estimated battery life below to get a basic idea of how long batteries of each size should last:
- Size 10 – Yellow tag – 80 hours
- Size 13 – Orange tag – 240 hours
- Size 312 – Brown tag – 175 hours
- Size 675 – Blue tag – 300 hours
To ensure the longest life for your batteries when they are in the hearing aid, turn the device off when you’re not using it. To ensure the longest shelf life for batteries you have purchased but haven’t used yet, store them indoors, at room temperature, and in their original, unopened packaging.