Orange, Yellow, Blue or Brown? : Hearing Aid Batteries Explained!

Hearing Aids has been a boon to the lives of countless people suffering from hearing loss. These devices, which are now available in various types and designs making them more discreet than ever have made people’s lives much more comfortable and productive. These devices have years of research and development packed inside and can fit in your palm. With advancements in technology, hearing aids are now equipped with many features such as live streaming, Bluetooth pairing, FM Compatibility, Tinnitus reduction etc. that not only makes life extremely comfortable for people living with hearing loss but also makes the hearing aid batteries discharge more quickly. While it’s important to know about the hearing aid that you or your loved one use, it’s equally important to understand the features of what powers that device.

Though hearing aids have existed in some form or another since the 17th century, it was only in the 1900s that the technology behind telephones and electricity was utilized to invent electric hearing aids. It was in the 1920s that hearing aids became easily portable due to their vacuum technology and utilization of batteries. Today, Hearing aid batteries are available in both disposable and rechargeable variants and are usually composed of Lithium-ion and Zinc. They come in various capacities to suit different needs and the selection can be done based on the individual need of the person and the device. Type of Batteries Capacities

  • Yellow Colour Coded Battery – Yellow codes for Size 10 batteries that are likely to last between 3 to 5 days.
  • Brown Colour Coded Battery – The colour Brown codes for Size 312 battery and is likely to last 7 to 10 days
  • Orange Colour Coded Battery - Size 13 battery is identified by the orange colour and will last 10 to 14 days.
  • Blue Colour Coded Battery – This battery is a Size 675 battery and is likely to last 2 weeks to 17 days.

One of the most trusted brands for hearing aids and their batteries is WidexWidex is the world’s largest manufacturer of Hearing aids. These batteries are colour coded for easy identification and are easily available in India. These batteries should only be procured from authorized vendors as the quality of battery determines the overall functioning of the hearing aid and should not be compromised. Hearing aids help people with hearing loss to have a normal communicative function, avoid low self-esteem problem and overall better life. Hearing aids can significantly reduce the obstacles that are associated with hearing loss and help people to lead a fulfilling life while carrying out their daily activities with a lot more confidence. Investing in the correct hearing aid will not only improve social relations, cognitive health and awareness but will also lead to more productivity at the workplace. It’s imperative to book an appointment with a medical health professional as soon as one notices impaired hearing or loss of hearing to decide on the type of hearing aid that’s the best suited. Hearing aids are no longer uncomfortable and large, their compact and discreet designs are packed with features such as Bluetooth connectivity, FM radio and live streaming. 

Factors that determine hearing aid battery life The battery life of hearing aids depends upon several factors that can influence overall performance and the life of hearing aid batteries. These factors are:

  1. Period of use – The life of hearing aid batteries is directly proportional to how much is it used. A hearing aid that’s used for more number of hours per day is likely to drain the battery of the hearing aid much faster.
  1. Hearing loss – Strong amplification is needed to make sounds audible to people with a more profound hearing loss which drains the hearing aid batteries faster. People with a more serious case of hearing loss may need to change their batteries more frequently.
  1. Weather Conditions – Batteries function differently in different weather conditions. Low humidity can dry out the batteries; high humidity can often lead to swelling and leakage, low temperatures can lead to a voltage dip, while high temperatures can affect overall longevity.
  1. Features – A simple hearing aid which amplifies sounds may not drain hearing aid battery as fast as a hearing aid equipped with Bluetooth, wireless streaming and tinnitus reduction. The added features in a hearing aid drain battery faster due to increased battery consumption.
  1. Other factors – Many people have the habit of leaving the hearing aid on while sleeping, showering or when it’s not in use which leads to draining the battery faster. The battery continues to deplete even as the hearing aid is not in use hence it’s imperative to switch off the hearing aid when it is not required. The electrode material and density also influence battery life. The electrochemical potential, charge density and purity of chemicals all influence the battery life.
Some simple ways which can improve the lives of these batteries are by ensuring proper battery activation, removing the sticker only when you’re ready to use the battery, waiting for activation of the zinc battery in the presence of oxygen after sticker removal, storing the batteries at room temperature, and most importantly turning off the hearing aids when not in use. While purchasing the battery for your hearing aid, these factors should always be considered as they will majorly influence the performance of your hearing aid device. Once you understand the factors that affect battery life it is considerably easier to maintain both the hearing aid and the batteries making it a much easier and cost-effective solution for the user.