Every hearing aid battery is a small zinc-air button cell at 1.4 volts, yet buy the wrong one and it simply will not fit — or it fits and dies in two days. There are only four sizes in common use, and a color code that is identical on every brand worldwide. Once you know it, you never have to guess in a pharmacy aisle again.
The four sizes and their colors
Hearing aid batteries follow a global standard (IEC 60086), so the color on the tab is the same regardless of manufacturer. Peel the colored sticker and the cell activates:
| Size | Color | IEC code | Diameter × Height | Typical capacity | Typical life |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Yellow | PR70 | 5.8 × 3.6 mm | ~100 mAh | 3–7 days |
| 312 | Brown | PR41 | 7.9 × 3.6 mm | ~160 mAh | 3–10 days |
| 13 | Orange | PR48 | 7.9 × 5.4 mm | ~290 mAh | 6–14 days |
| 675 | Blue | PR44 | 11.6 × 5.4 mm | ~600 mAh | 9–20 days |
The pattern is simple: bigger cell, more capacity, longer life. Battery life also depends on how many hours a day the aid runs and whether it streams audio via Bluetooth, which drains cells faster.
Which size does your hearing aid use?
Size is set by the hearing aid, not by preference, so you cannot move up to a bigger cell for longer life. As a rough guide by device style:
- Size 10 (yellow) — the smallest aids: completely-in-canal (CIC) and mini in-the-canal.
- Size 312 (brown) — in-the-canal (ITC) and many receiver-in-canal (RIC) models.
- Size 13 (orange) — in-the-ear (ITE) and standard behind-the-ear (BTE) aids.
- Size 675 (blue) — power BTE aids and most cochlear implant processors.
If you are unsure, the size is usually printed inside the battery door or in the manual — and the color of your current battery tab is the fastest confirmation.
Getting the most from each cell
Zinc-air cells breathe: they draw oxygen through tiny holes under the sticker. After peeling the tab, wait about a minute before closing the door so the cell fully activates — this can add days of life. Store spares at room temperature (not the fridge), and keep the tab on until use, because once activated a cell keeps discharging even when the aid is off.
Frequently asked questions
Are hearing aid battery colors the same across all brands?
Yes. The color code — yellow 10, brown 312, orange 13, blue 675 — is an international standard, so a brown-tab battery is size 312 no matter who makes it.
Can I use a different size than my hearing aid specifies?
No. Each size has a fixed diameter and height set by the battery compartment. A larger cell will not fit, and a smaller one will not make contact.
Why do my hearing aid batteries drain so fast?
Heavy Bluetooth streaming, high amplification, humid storage, or closing the door immediately after peeling the tab all shorten life. Letting the cell breathe for a minute after peeling helps most.
Bulk & private-label supply
JBWCELL manufactures all four zinc-air hearing aid battery sizes — 10, 312, 13 and 675 — mercury-free and to IEC 60086, for distributors, pharmacies and private-label brands. Contact us for bulk pricing, blister-card packaging and OEM/ODM options.
