Hearing Aid Batteries

Which battery do I need?

Hearing aid batteries and Cochlear Implant Batteries have been standardized across the board now, and as such are fairly easy to identify. There are four sizes available, size 10, size 312, size 13 and size 675.

They are color coded for ease of recognition. Size 10 batteries are coded with yellow labels and packaging, size 312 are coded brown, size 13 are orange and size 675 are blue.

Most of the smaller hearing devices from Phonak, Resound or Oticon will use a size 312 (brown) or a size 10 (yellow) battery. Some of the larger digital hearing instruments will use the size 13, and a few power aids such as the Oticon Sumo or the Phonak Naida will use the size 675.

As a rule, the larger the batteries, the more life you will get from it and the longer you will be able to listen to your hearing instruments without needing to change the battery. Newer hearing devices, do generally tend to be smaller which is clearly desirable from a cosmetics perspective. These smaller hearing instruments tend to use 10 or 312 batteries. Try to find a quality battery brand such as Rayon, which are specifically designed and manufactured for hearing aid wearers. These will most likely provide better performance with your hearing devices than other brands. You may find that some brands of hearing aid batteries will provide a recycling facility where you can send them back and these can be reused.

Types of Hearing Aids

Since hearing aids where first developed years and years ago we have seen so many different styles and advancements in their technology. We first sore hearing aids as these big chunky things that sit behind the ear, these day you can get hearing aids which sit deep in your ear and can't be seen. Below I have a list of some of the most common hearing aids and a description of them.

Behind-The-Ear (BTH)

Behind-The-Ear hearing aids are largest hearing aids where by the hearing sits behind the ear. To get the incoming sound from the hearing aid to your ear, incoming sounds come into the hearing aid and than pass through a plastic tube connected to your ear. These hearing aids are often the least expensive, most reliable and house the most features and power in controlling what the hearing aid can do.

In-The-Ear (ITE)

These hearing aids are not as big as the BTH hearing aids and sit just inside the ear. These hearing aids do not have a large section that sits behind the ear and do not have a tube that runs to the ear. The ITE hearing aids are very comfortable and are also not very expensive (more expensive than BTH) which makes them a great choice if you are looking for something relatively inexpensive and of a smallish nature.

In-The Canal (ITC)

These are smaller than the ITE hearing aids and sit a bit further in the ear so they are not as noticeable. Because they are small they require a lot of skill to control however if you can find it easy to control them they are a great choice. Once again because these are smaller and not as noticeable they are more expensive than the ITE hearing aids.

Completely-In-Canal (CIC)

Completely in canal units are the smallest hearing aids to ever be made, they are so small and site so far down your ear that they require a string to remove them. These hearing aids do not have manual controls since they are so small and can be difficult to remove if you have not been shown how. However the good thing about these hearing aids is that they are totally unnoticeable and have a good sound, they are also the most expensive because they are so small.

Mini-Canals (MC)

Mini canals are great if you want something small but can't quite afford CIC hearing aids, they are the size between ITC and CIC. They also come with a very small volume wheel and are easier to remove than the CIC hearing aids. These are cheaper than the CIC hearing aids since they are a bit larger.

Post-Auricular-Canal (PAC)

These types of hearing aids are new to the market and were created in a bid to separate the processor and the receiver from each other to make a smaller hearing aid without compromising quality and features. What happens is that the small processor sits just behind the ear and than the speaker and receiver sits deep down in the canal. These hearing aids are great since they offer a lot of comfort and feature options.

7 Tips On Buying Hearing Aids

Do you need a hearing aid but don't know where to start? With so many features, styles, brands and prices to choose from, it's no wonder why shopping for a hearing aid can be a daunting task for a new user.
Here are 7 tips to guide you on buying a hearing aid.

1. Hearing Test

The first step is to get tested by a hearing professional or audiologist. The type of hearing aid that is best suited for you will be determined in part by the type and level of hearing loss you have. The professional will be able to assess your hearing needs so you can choose the correct hearing aid.

2. Analog vs. Digital Hearing Aids

Years ago hearing aids were all analog. Today, most hearing aids are digital. Digital hearing aids provide high quality sound amplification, advanced features and fine-tuning that was not possible with analog aids. Some companies still make analog hearing aids, however, be sure to compare these with the digital ones before making your final decision.

3. Styles Of Hearing Aids

There are 4 main styles of hearing aids available. The style you are best suited for depends on the type of hearing loss you have as well as your comfort.

- Behind The Ear (BTE): Fits over the ear and rests behind it. Typically the least expensive style.

- In The Ear (ITE): The most common type, this sits in the ear

- In The Ear Canal (ITC): This type fits slightly lower into the ear and is not very noticeable.

- Completely In The Ear Canal (CIC): Fits down into the ear canal. This style requires the most fitting and is the least visible to others.

4. Features

Hearing aids today come with a myriad of features. These range from the necessary, such as noise canceling, to the more luxurious, such as remote control. Digital hearing aids offer state-of-the-art technology that helps to reduce feedback and allows for clearer hearing even in situations where there is background noise. Digital hearing aids offer more options for adjustments than analog hearing aids, making it easier to adapt to a new hearing aid.

5. Budget

Once you know the style of hearing aid that suits you best, compare prices across various brands as they vary greatly. The prices are most expensive for hearing aids with latest technology and advanced features. Even if you don't have a lot to spend you will still be able to find a quality hearing aid with enough features to fulfill your needs.

6. Warranties

When choosing a hearing aid it is important to ask about the warranty. Find out the warranty period and what is covered. Ask if any fitting problems are covered because this could get expensive if multiple trips are needed.

7. Choose One Or Two Hearing Aids

If you have hearing loss in only one ear, you will do well with only one hearing aid. However, as both ears tend to be affected by age and noise related hearing loss, wearing two hearing aids will actually help you to differentiate and determine where sounds are coming from. Most digital hearing aids require two to be worn to achieve maximum benefits.