Available in 4 sizes, disposable zinc-air hearing aid batteries are colour and number coordinated to make it easier to remember the right size for your hearing aids. What is important to know when selecting the correct battery size for your hearing aid is the compatibility and lifespan of each battery.

Here’s a guide you can use:

- Yellow Tab / Size 10 - Compatible to custom Completely-In-Canal (CIC) and Receiver-In-Canal (RIC) hearing aids with a 5 - 7 days lifespan.
- Brown Tab / Size 312 - Compatible to custom In-The-Ear (ITE), In-The-Canal (ITC) and Receiver-In-Canal (RIC) hearing aids with a 7 - 10 days lifespan.
- Orange Tab / Size 13 - Compatible to custom In-The-Ear (ITE), Behind-The-Ear (BTE), and Behind-The-Ear (BTE) with slim tubing hearing aids with a 10 - 14 days lifespan.
- Blue Tab / Size 675 - Compatible to power Behind-The-Ear (BTE) hearing aids with a 10 - 14 days lifespan.

Rechargeable Li-Ion (Lithium-Ion) hearing aid batteries are charged each night, with each charge giving close to 30 hours of performance to the hearing aid and lasting as long as 5 years approximately, before they require replacing by the hearing aid manufacturer. This can be a positive when you think of all the tab removals and regular battery replacing you could skip, as a result of using a rechargeable battery. Presently, rechargeable Li-Ion batteries are only available for Behind-The-Ear (BTE), Receiver-In-Canal (RIC) and select universal and custom fit In-The-Ear (ITE) hearing aids due to their size. 

Rechargeable NiMH hearing aid batteries have a number of advantages over disposable zinc-air, from cost effectiveness, being environmentally friendly and having a longer lifespan. In addition to this, users will not need to worry about their batteries failing during important moments as they deliver power all day long, achieving a better quality of life.

Follow these easy steps to change your hearing aid battery:

- Remove the dead battery from the battery door of your hearing aid.
- Insert the new battery with the protective tab facing up.
- Remove the protective tab from the brand new battery and wait 2-3 minutes before closing the battery door. Be careful not to touch the exposed part of the battery.
- After 2-3 minutes, close the battery door. If it doesn’t fully close, or easily close, please check that the battery is correct inserted.

Get the most from your hearing aid batteries with these easy-to-remember tips:

- When not in use, turn off the hearing aids to preserve the battery life.
- Immediately remove the batteries once dead. Zinc batteries can become difficult to remove due to expanding that takes place when the batteries have become completely discharged.
- Carry a spare battery with you but make sure the tab stays on until use and keep separate from anything metal like keys or coins or anything else that could interfere with the battery.
- You’ll know when it’s time to replace your hearing aid battery if the sounds become distorted or you find yourself increasing the volume more often.
When it’s come time to replace your rechargeable battery, it’s best to have a professional do this for you.

The lifecycle of disposable zinc-air hearing aid batteries depends on the duration of usage, the size of the batteries and the model of the hearing aid. It is common for them to last five to fourteen days if used regularly.

Rechargeable batteries last much longer with Ni-MH (Nickel-Metal Hydride) or Z-Power silver-oxide batteries having a twelve-month lifespan and Li-Ion (Lithium-Ion) batteries lasting approximately five years. It’s recommended that these type rechargeable batteries are replaced by a hearing care professional.

Just remember, the more often they’re used, the more often disposable zinc-air batteries will need to be replaced.
It’s likely that if they’re being worn 16 hours a day and are being used to stream audio from devices like your compatible smart phone or TV, then they’ll need to be replaced more often.

To avoid being in a situation where the batteries have gone flat when the hearing aid is required, it’s best to be aware when they are close to dying, replacing them as soon as the low battery beep or notification  in your hearing aid is activated.

No! Storing hearing aid batteries in the refrigerator to preserve its life is an outdated practice and can actually shorten the lifespan.

Today’s batteries commonly made of zinc air are designed in a way that makes them susceptible to moisture and condensation - both products of a refrigerator.

A common question is which hearing aid battery is better?

While traditional zinc-air batteries need to be replaced, rechargeable batteries are more economical and environmentally friendly.
As well as this, rechargeable batteries are more efficient in winter as zinc-air batteries struggle to function in cold weather.

Lastly, there is less chance of being caught off guard as you’re less likely to experience a dead battery the next day, or in the middle of a conversation.