Whether you’re considering using a hearing aid for the first time, or you’ve been wearing one for years, your hearing aid batteries are one element you mustn’t neglect.Hearing aid batteries are as important as hearing aids themselves. Without batteries, hearing aids, quite simply, wouldn’t work.The type of batteries used depends on the type of hearing aid you have. Types of hearing aid batteriesMany hearing aids use disposable batteries. You put them in your hearing aid and when they run out of power, you replace them.However as technology advances, more hearing aid manufacturers now make hearing aids with rechargeable batteries. Rechargeable hearing aid batteriesSome hearing aids come with rechargeable batteries. With this type, the battery – commonly a lithium-ion battery – is built into the hearing aid so essentially it’s the hearing aid itself that’s rechargeable.When the hearing aid charge runs out, instead of removing and replacing the battery you simply charge up the hearing aid.You normally do this by taking your hearing aids out and connecting them to a docking station, which must be plugged into a mains power outlet. Most people remove their hearing aids at night to help them to sleep – this is a good opportunity to charge your hearing aids, as they’ll get a full overnight charge.Can I use rechargeable hearing aids?Rechargeable hearing aids might be suitable for you if you have mild to severe hearing loss.Most rechargeable aids are receiver-in-the-canal (RIC) hearing aids. If you prefer smaller, more discreet hearing aids – like completely–in-the-canal (CIC) or invisible hearing aids – you may not be able to get them with rechargeable batteries.Rechargeable hearing aids have the advantage of being easier to use if you have poor dexterity because you don’t have to handle the small, delicate, disposable batteries when they need to be replaced.The lifespan of rechargeable hearing aid batteriesThe battery life can vary, depending on your hearing aid’s manufacturer and model and how you use your hearing aids. For example, streaming audio using Bluetooth can drain your battery fairly quickly – as it does with smartphones.Overall, rechargeable hearing aid batteries can last up to five years before they need to be replaced. Disposable hearing aid batteriesIf your hearing aid uses disposable batteries, they are likely called ‘zinc-air’ or ‘button’ batteries.They’re called button batteries because they’re round and flat, like buttons. Zinc-air means they are zinc batteries that are activated by exposure to air.This type of battery is manufactured with a sticky tab covering its surface to seal it from air exposure and keep it inactive until you’re ready to use it. When you peel off the tab and oxygen from the air gets to the zinc in the battery, it becomes activated.If you remove the tab, replacing it onto the surface of the battery won’t deactivate it.Can I use disposable hearing aid batteries?All types of hearing aids – behind-the-ear (BTE), in-the-ear (ITE) and receiver in the canal (RIC) – are available with disposable batteries. That means you can use hearing aids with disposable batteries whether your hearing loss is mild, moderate, severe or profound.The advantage of disposable hearing aid batteries is that when they have run out, you don’t need to leave your hearing aids out for any length of time, nor do you need access to a power source.You simply take out the drained battery and replace it with a new one. Used batteries shouldn’t be thrown out with regular trash and must be disposed of safely. You can usually recycle them at a local battery recycling point.The lifespan of disposable hearing aid batteriesThe shelf life of disposable hearing aid batteries varies and depends on many factors – like how often and how long you wear your hearing aids, whether they’re basic aids or have advanced features, and the degree of your hearing loss.On average, a zinc-air battery can last between three days and three weeks before it needs to be replaced.Unused disposable batteries can be stored at room temperature in their packaging for two or three years, as long as the tab hasn’t been removed.Disposable hearing aid battery sizesDisposable batteries for hearing aids come in four sizes, each with different capacities. Generally speaking, the larger the battery, the greater its capacity – and the greater its capacity, the longer the battery will last.That isn’t set in stone, and many factors will impact how long your hearing aid battery will last.The quick-reference table below shows the four different sizes of zinc-air batteries, from smallest to largest, their capacity (measured in milliamp hours – mAh), their universal tab color, and their different uses. The 5-minute rule for hearing aid batteries Many hearing aid providers and users suggest waiting around five minutes after removing the battery’s sticker before placing it in your hearing aid.Doing so allows the air’s oxygen to fully activate the battery and can extend its life by anywhere between two and seven days. Swipe right to see more 0 out of 0 backward forward Size 10 Size 13 Size 312 Size 675 Measurement (diameter x height) 5.8mm x 3.6mm Measurement (diameter x height) 7.9mm x 5.4mm Measurement (diameter x height) 7.9mm x 3.6mm Measurement (diameter x height) 11.6mm x 5.4mm Capacity 100 mAh Capacity 310 mAh Capacity 180 mAh Capacity 650 mAh Tab color Yellow Tab color Orange Tab color Brown Tab color Blue Use Completely in canal (CIC)Invisible in canal (IIC) Use Behind the ear (BTE)In the ear (ITE) Use Receiver in the ear (RITE)In the canal (ITC) Use Power/superpower BTE Or, speak to one of our advisors to book a hearing consultation in minutes Book a consultation It only takes a minute