What are the Best Hearing Aid Batteries?
Your choice of hearing aid batteries is important as this is what you need to ensure your hearing aid has a steady power supply. The right batteries are vital to make sure that your device works properly, but it can be hard to make the choice with so many options available on the market. So, what do you need to consider when choosing hearing aid batteries, and what are the best choices to meet your needs?
Battery Size
The first thing you should know is what size batteries you need for your hearing aid or device, such as the BHearing PSAP Personal Sound Amplification device. You also need to consider if you want to have to worry about regularly buying batteries when choosing your new hearing aid as some modern chargeable devices, such as the Nexus HD App-Controlled Hearing Aid, do not need conventional batteries to run.
If you do need batteries for your hearing aid, the type should be displayed on the packaging. If you don’t have this, look at the dead batteries already in your device. Options include size 675 Batteries, size 10 Batteries, and size 13 Batteries.
Hearing aid batteries come in four sizes, with color-coded packaging for easy identification.
The different sizes are:
312
These are color-coded brown and are typically found in ITE or In The Ear aids, mini BTEs (Behind The Ears), and ITC or In The Canal aids.
10
These are yellow coded and are most often used in CIC (Completely In Canal) and mini ITE hearing aids.
13
These batteries are color-coded orange and are typically found in ITE and BTE hearing aids.
675
These blue-coded aids are typically used in BTE devices.
Types of Batteries
There are two general kinds of batteries for hearing aids: rechargeable batteries and zinc-air disposable batteries. The latter are powered by air and the batteries are oxygen-activated once their security tab is removed. These batteries are suitable for all sorts of hearing aids and are available in the four different sizes mentioned previously.
The rechargeable versions normally found in hearing aids are usually lithium-ion batteries and need to be charged for between three and four hours to be fully powered up. These are a popular choice if environmental friendliness is a concern as they may be better for the planet than disposable varieties. The downsides to these batteries are the need to attach them to a charger and remembering to take this with you if you go away from home.
Which is best?
Whether you choose disposable or rechargeable batteries will come down to personal choice, but there are some factors to consider. Zinc-air batteries, for example, are available to buy in large quantities and are easily replaced. They are more versatile in the sense that more hearing aids take these batteries, but they are not as good for the environment. Rechargeable batteries are said to be a more environmentally friendly choice and could also provide better value in the longer term. Some users also report that rechargeable batteries hold their power better when you are using streaming services or Bluetooth. They’re also easier to handle compared to smaller button batteries. You need to check that your device is compatible with rechargeable batteries, however.
Power One, the battery manufacturer, says that you can see if your hearing aid would work with rechargeable batteries by checking if it can maintain a current for a total of 10 days without them needing to be replaced. You may also want to ask your audiologist or hearing health professional if you are not sure which batteries would be the best choice for your aid.
Best Brands For Hearing Aid Batteries
The best brands for batteries will often be quite a subjective choice, but there are some makers who consistently come out in lists of the best hearing aid batteries. These "top ten" roundups will usually contain batteries from big names like Duracell, Rayovac, and Power One. We recommend Rayovac batteries due to the reliability and value that they offer. Rayovac hearing aid batteries also offer a promise that "no hearing aid battery lasts longer".
These hearing aid batteries use what is known as Active Core Plus technology in a bid to offer consistently clear, long-lasting performance with packaging that aims to be as easy to handle as possible. Extra touches include longer-than-average battery tabs, an easy-open reclosable door, and a secure dial. They are also USA-made, having been produced in Portage, WI, for more than half a century.
