Hearing Aid Battery Sizes: Which One Do You Need?
Disposable hearing aids use one of four battery sizes, and every brand uses the same tab colors. Find your size, see how long it lasts, and stock up — batteries are the one thing you'll buy again and again.
| Size | Tab color | Typical life | Common in | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Size 10 | Yellow | 3–7 days | Smaller RIC/CIC aids and many OTC models | Size 10 → |
| Size 312 | Brown | 3–10 days | RIC and ITE aids — the most common size | Size 312 → |
| Size 13 | Orange | 6–14 days | BTE and larger ITE aids | Size 13 → |
| Size 675 | Blue | 9–20 days | Power BTE aids (and some cochlear processors) | Size 675 → |
Battery life varies with usage; Bluetooth streaming drains them faster. Buying in 40–60 packs lowers the per-battery cost.
How to tell which size you have
The fastest check is the tab color on your current batteries — yellow is size 10, brown is 312, orange is 13, and blue is 675. You can also read the size printed inside the battery door, or check the box your aids came in. If your hearing aids sit in a charging case overnight, they're rechargeable and don't use disposable batteries at all.
Make them last longer
- Wait after peeling the tab. These are zinc-air batteries, activated by oxygen — give them about a minute after removing the sticker before closing the door.
- Leave the tab on until use. Once the tab is off, the battery drains even sitting unused.
- Store at room temperature. The fridge is a myth and can cause harmful condensation. Keep them away from keys and coins.
- Open the door at night. Cracking the battery door when you're not wearing the aids stops the drain and lets moisture escape.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the hearing aid battery sizes?
There are four standard disposable (zinc-air) hearing aid battery sizes, each with a universal tab color: size 10 (yellow), size 312 (brown), size 13 (orange), and size 675 (blue). The color code is the same across every brand, so a yellow-tab battery from one maker is a size 10 from any other. Larger numbers generally mean a bigger battery that lasts longer.
How do I know which battery size my hearing aid uses?
Three easy ways: check the box or manual your aids came in; look at the color of the tab on your current batteries (yellow = 10, brown = 312, orange = 13, blue = 675); or open the battery door and read the size printed inside. If your hearing aids recharge in a case overnight, they don't use disposable batteries at all.
How long do hearing aid batteries last?
It depends on the size and how you use them: roughly 3–7 days for size 10, 3–10 days for 312, 6–14 days for 13, and 9–20 days for 675. Heavy Bluetooth audio streaming drains them noticeably faster. Because they're used so often, most people buy them in packs of 40–60 to keep the per-battery cost down.
Why do you wait after removing the battery tab?
Hearing aid batteries are zinc-air, which means they're activated by oxygen. After you peel off the sticker tab, waiting about 60 seconds before closing the battery door lets the battery fully activate, which can meaningfully extend its life. Don't peel the tab until you're ready to use the battery — once the tab is off, the battery starts draining even when unused.
Should I store hearing aid batteries in the refrigerator?
No — that's a common myth. Zinc-air batteries last longest at normal room temperature, and refrigeration can cause condensation that harms them. Store them at room temperature, away from heat and coins or keys (metal can short them), with the tabs on until use.