Hearing aid batteries come in four sizes, and the tab color tells you which: yellow is size 10, brown 312, orange 13 and blue 675.
What color is the tab?
The size it is
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Sizes, codes and measurements
| Size | Tab color | IEC code | ANSI code | Across (mm) | Tall (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Yellow | PR70 | 7005ZD | 5.65 to 5.80 | 3.3 to 3.6 |
| 312 | Brown | PR41 | 7002ZD | 7.70 to 7.90 | 3.3 to 3.6 |
| 13 | Orange | PR48 | 7000ZD | 7.70 to 7.90 | 5.05 to 5.40 |
| 675 | Blue | PR44 | 7003ZD | 11.3 to 11.6 | 5.05 to 5.40 |
All four are 1.45 volt zinc-air cells. The measurements are the tolerance ranges on Rayovac’s drawings.
Pulling the tab
A zinc-air battery runs on air, and the colored tab seals its air holes until you pull it. VARTA’s power one says to leave the tab on until you’re ready to use the battery, and that sticking it back on won’t make the battery last longer.
The makers give different waits between pulling the tab and closing the battery door:
| Maker | Wait |
|---|---|
| VARTA power one | About 10 seconds |
| Rayovac datasheets | 15 seconds |
| Rayovac battery education page | One minute |
| Phonak | About two minutes |
Phonak says a battery that isn’t activated properly may not reach the voltage the hearing aid needs.
Storing them
Rayovac’s datasheets give a shelf life of four years with the tab on, stored at 21°C (70°F), and say to keep batteries between 10°C and 30°C (50°F and 86°F), out of direct sunlight. Rayovac also says to leave new batteries sealed in their packs and handle them with clean, dry hands.
VARTA’s power one warns against carrying loose batteries in a purse or wallet, where keys or coins can short them out. If a hearing aid won’t be used for a long time, power one says to take the battery out so it can’t drain fully and leak.
Rechargeable hearing aids
Phonak’s rechargeable hearing aids use lithium-ion batteries that charge in a Phonak charger, giving a full day of hearing and streaming. Its Charger RIC E, for the Audéo E-Sphere and Audéo E-R, reaches a full charge in 2.5 hours.
Keep button batteries away from children
The National Capital Poison Center says that if anyone swallows a battery, immediately call the 24-hour National Battery Ingestion Hotline at 1-800-498-8666 or your poison center at 1-800-222-1222. Don’t delay. Immediate treatment decreases severity.