The most common battery sizes are 10, 312, 13, 675 and 675 Cochlear Implant.  As the hearing aid devices get wireless communication, model 312 is getting more popular. To easily identify the size, manufacturers use industry standard color codes on their zinc air tabs and packaging as follows.

Battery life is determined by the type and amplification of your hearing aid as well as the hours you wear your hearing aid. Your hearing care professional can tell you the battery life you can expect.

A zinc air battery uses air outside the battery as a source of power. The factory applies a tab which seals the air holes in the battery to ensure freshness and prevent self-discharging until you are ready to use the battery. Do not remove the tab until you use the battery. To activate the battery, you may simply remove the tab.

You should store hearing aid batteries at room temperature.  Avoid storing your batteries in hot places or in sunlight, as heat will shorten the life of batteries.  Do not store batteries in the fridge as it may affect battery performance and capacity. The batteries shouldn’t be exposed to excessive moisture or dry circumstances.

Many people think that a battery tester will tell you how long the battery would run. Unlike Alkaline batteries, it is not true for Zinc-Air batteries. Zinc-air battery discharges for a long time at flat voltage and then expires suddenly. Accordingly, the ending date cannot be anticipated by using a battery tester.  Battery testers may only tell you if the battery is good or already discharged.

1.45 volts is a zinc air battery’s nominal voltage when measured after fully activated without any load.  However, the battery’s actual operating voltage is less than that (such as 1.25volt) when measured with load. The hearing aid device works very well as long as the battery maintains its operating voltage above 1.1 volts.

Zinc-Air battery starts activation right after removal of the tab on a battery. Accordingly, voltage measured right after removal of the tab is normally lower than specified voltage of 1.45Volt. This has nothing to do with battery capacity and you do not have to worry at all. It will be fully activated as you use the battery

Do not store hearing aid in dry kit or small box overnight with switch turned on (battery door closed with battery in it).  It may cause howling and make continuous BEEP sound and this BEEP will make both battery and hearing aid life shortened significantly.  When hearing aid is stored in a dry kit or small box, be sure to let battery door open (switched off or remove battery).

Both have blue tabs. Normal 675 battery is for ordinary BTE hearing aids. It provide long running time when used in ordinary BTE. If normal 675 battery is used on Cochlear Implant devices, life time of the battery will be shortened significantly or may not work.

675 Cochlear Implant batteries is for Cochlear Implant devices. 675 CI battery can be used on ordinary BTE devices. However, running time would be short significantly.