“What hearing aid battery type do I purchase?” is a tough question to answer generally, because there are many different models of hearing aids, and each needs a battery that matches it and contains sufficient energy to power it. The easiest scenario to deal with is if you currently wear a hearing aid; if so, check the manual that came with the device or call the professionals who fit it for you to verify the correct type of battery. For anyone shopping for a first hearing aid you’ll be able to discover a lot with some research. The reason behind this is that hearing aid batteries vary in price and in battery life, and so an estimate of how many batteries you’ll need over time can affect your choice of which hearing aid to buy.

Thankfully, hearing aid battery packaging utilizes a standardized color coding scheme. Hearing aid batteries of the same type and size will always share the same color code on their packages, irrespective of who produced them.

Most likely your hearing aid will run on one of the following:

A color code of blue always corresponds to Size 675 batteries, which are generally found in cochlear implants and larger Behind-The-Ear (BTE) style hearing aids; these batteries have a normal battery life of about 300 hours.

A color code of brown corresponds to a Size 312 battery, generally found in In-The-Ear (ITE) and In-The-Canal (ITC) models of hearing aids; because of their smaller size they generally have battery life of 175 hours.

Hearing aid batteries with the orange color code are Size 13, and typical for In-the-Ear (ITE) and Behind-the-Ear (BTE) models of hearing aids; their battery lifespan is commonly up to 240 hours.

The color yellow always means Size 10 batteries. Size 10 are the smallest and most plentiful type of hearing aid battery with a typical battery lifespan of 80 hours. Size 10 batteries are standard in Completely-In-Canal (CIC) and In-The-Canal (ITC) hearing aids.

Blue corresponds to Size 675 batteries. These batteries are comparatively large and will hold a long charge – up to 300 hours. Size 675 batteries are common in cochlear implants and larger Behind-the-Ear (BTE) hearing aids.

Size 312 hearing aid batteries have a color code of brown, and are typically used in In-The-Ear (ITE) and In-The-Canal (ITC) hearing aids; Size 312 batteries have a normal battery life of approximately 175 hours.

Batteries with a color code of yellow are Size 10, and may be the easiest to locate because they are commonly used in Completely-In-Canal (CIC) and In-The-Canal (ITC) types of hearing aids; their battery life is shorter, generally 80 hours.

Size 13 batteries are generally used in Behind-the-Ear (BTE) and In-the-Ear (ITE) hearing aids, and they have a normal battery lifespan of 240 hours.

Some models of hearing aids call for different battery sizes and types, but that is uncommon. If your device requires one of these different types, most stores that sell batteries can custom order them for you.

Be sure you read the manual that comes with your device before purchasing batteries, because some of the contemporary hearing aids have rechargeable batteries, so you need disposable batteries only as a backup in case of emergencies. To keep your hearing aid batteries fully charged after you purchase them, always store them inside at room temperature and in their unopened, original packages.