Although it might seem to be a simple question to ask how long hearing aid batteries will last, it’s actually not. Precisely how long hearing aid batteries last is dependent upon many variables. Battery life depends on the model of your hearing aid, and may vary widely across models developed by the exact same manufacturer. How long your hearing aid batteries will last will also depend on the way in which you use your hearing aid – hearing aids need continuous power as long as they are turned on, so the more hours of the day you use it, the more quickly you will use up batteries.
The batteries themselves are a major factor. Batteries the exact 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 life also hinges on battery type; for example some types are only being drained when they are inside a hearing aid that is switched on, and other types (for example, zinc-air batteries) start losing power as soon as you take away the adhesive strip on the bottom of the battery and they are exposed to oxygen, regardless of whether the hearing aid is turned on or not.
Because the expense of batteries adds up, if you’re looking for a new hearing aid, you should do some research to find out which types and models of hearing aids are known for the best battery life, because that could influence your choice. Similarly, a little time invested in research may help you uncover longer-lasting batteries for your existing hearing aids. Hearing aid and battery manufacturers have worked to make things simpler by standardizing their sizes and using specific color codes for each battery size which is the same for every manufacturer. The following list of battery life is estimated, of course, but it should give you a basic idea of how long hearing aid batteries of each size should last:
- Yellow – Size 10 – 80 hours
- Orange – Size 13 – 240 hours
- Brown – Size 312 – 175 hours
- Blue – Size 675 – 300 hours
For the longest battery life, remember to turn your hearing aid off when you’re not wearing it. And to ensure hearing aid batteries you’ve already bought but haven’t used yet stay fresh and retain their power as long as possible, store them indoors in their original unopened packages, and at room temperature.