How long do hearing aid batteries last?

Just as hearing aids seem to be getting smaller all the time, they are becoming more powerful whether they run on rechargeable or standard batteries. Whichever type of battery your hearing aids require, they are crucial for enabling your hearing aids to reliably perform at their best. When you looking to buy new hearing aids, knowing the hearing-aid battery life will help you determine whether a hearing aid offers good value for money and will be able to give you the run time you need.

Zinc-air batteries are the most common of hearing aid batteries. They are more eco-friendly than the previous mercury zinc batteries that were used, and can maintain a constant voltage. They work thanks to the small holes in the surface of the battery which allows air to penetrate. The air then reacts with the zinc inside the battery to produce zinc oxide. This reaction is what creates the energy to power the battery. The sticker needs to be removed and the battery needs to be in contact with room air for 3-5 minutes prior to inserting the battery into the hearing aid.

Disposable batteries are no longer the only way to power hearing aids. Some hearing aids come with rechargeable batteries. While rechargeable hearing aids may be more expensive at the outset, you won’t need to buy any new batteries for it. Once the battery is drained you simply recharge your hearing aids. They can be recharged overnight when you sleep to give you a full day’s worth of use the next day.

Generally, non-rechargeable standard batteries will last you from around five days to 12 days. This estimation is based on you using your hearing aids for 16 hours. The battery life will also largely depend on the size of the battery and the amount of power your hearing aid requires. Hearing aid batteries come in four sizes and which one you need will depend on the type of hearing aid you have. To make it easier to find the correct battery, each of the different sizes is colour-coded.

The smaller-sized hearing aid batteries normally have a shorter lifespan compared to the largest size. The average lifespan for hearing-aid batteries is:

• Size 10 (yellow): 3 to 7 days
• Size 312 (brown): 3 to 10 days
• Size 13 (orange): 6 to 14 days
• Size 675 (blue): 9 to 16 days

Hearing aids have the potential to transform many aspects of your life, but they can’t do it without good-quality batteries. Speak to your hearing care professional about which batteries are best for your hearing aids and how you can get the most out of them.