Although it seems to be a straightforward question to ask just how long hearing aid batteries should be expected to last, it’s actually not. Precisely how long hearing aid batteries last depends upon a large number of factors. One consideration is the manufacturer of the hearing aid. Battery life differs by manufacturer and also across models from the same company. How you use your hearing aid will also impact battery life; the more hours a day yours is switched on, the more rapidly you will use up batteries.
The batteries themselves are a major factor. Batteries of the same size from different manufacturers will have distinct lives. And there will be variance within one battery manufacturer if they offer premium or extended-life lines. Battery type is yet another factor in longevity. For example, zinc-air batteries will begin to burn power the second you remove the adhesive tab on the bottom and will continue to lose charge even if the hearing aid is powered off while other types will only discharge when they are inside a hearing aid that is powered on.
If you are in the market for a new hearing aid, you may want to do some research first 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 buy. The same research suggestion is true if you have an existing hearing aid and are searching for the batteries with the longest life for it; you can uncover a great deal from consumer ratings and comparative reviews.
Hearing aid manufacturers have worked to make things simpler by standardizing their sizes and using unique color codes for each battery size that is the same for every manufacturer. The following list of battery life is estimated, of course, but it may give you a general idea of how long hearing aid batteries of each size should last:
- Yellow – #10 about 80 hours
- Orange – #13 about 240 hours
- Brown – #312 about 175 hours
- Blue – #675 about 300 hours
To ensure the longest life for your batteries when they are in the hearing aid, turn the hearing aid off when you are not wearing it. And to ensure batteries you have already bought but haven’t used yet remain fresh and retain their power as long as possible, store them indoors in their original unopened packages, and at room temperature.