Several choices are available when it is time for you to buy hearing aid batteries. Hearing aids require frequent battery replacement, with the exception of disposable hearing aids where consumers must replace the hearing aid in order to power up. Hearing aid dispensers provide the consumer with instructions on how to care for the hearing aid, and the type of battery replacement required for power, but often the instructions do not include suggestions on how to buy the batteries.
Step 1
Call your insurance carrier to find out if your health plan covers hearing aid batteries. Many health insurance companies do not cover hearing aid batteries, but some may. If your insurance plan covers hearing aid batteries, ask how to order the product. Sometimes an insurance plan offers a small stipend each month or quarter to spend on health products, but often require ordering through the insurance company's third-party affiliate.
Step 2
Place an order for hearing aid batteries through your audiologist. If your insurance plan covers hearing aid batteries or assists with the costs, your audiologist will order batteries for you and bill the insurance company.
Step 3
Buy hearing aid batteries at your local drug store. Look through your hearing aid manual to find the type and size hearing aid battery required. There are five battery sizes, each size color-coded to make it easier to buy. The hearing aid industry standardizes battery sizes and color codes to make it easier for consumers to identify and buy the replacements. There are five sizes available on the market, identified by a number and color: 5 red, 10 yellow, 13 orange, 312 brown, and 675 blue. Ask the pharmacist to help you find the correct battery for your hearing aid if you cannot find the information or have it handy.
Step 4
Purchase hearing aid batteries online. Find your battery size you need at an online retailer and have the batteries mailed to your home or office. Most online retailers do not accept insurance as a form of payment, but do accept major credit cards.
Step 5
Look at the back of the hearing aid battery pack and find the contact information on your hearing aid dispenser to order more batteries. Some manufacturers co-brand or personalize hearing aid batteries for hearing clinics to make it easier to reorder.
Step 6
Join a buying club. You can save money on batteries and get regular, timely shipments of your supplies. Some clubs offer other services and supplies, such as cleaning kits or freebies that would be of interest to hearing aid users. Dennis Hampton, Ph.D., from Hearing HealthCare News says, "The typical audiology practice does not sell batteries to as many of its patients as the practitioner thinks." Some clinics still do not sell hearing aid batteries, but today more practices are providing additional services. Dr. Dennis Hampton of Westchester Audiology Center in White Plains, New York participates in a buying club. He says that consumers save 20 percent on the retail cost of hearing aid batteries, while the club offers convenience, savings and communication, a service retail stores cannot provide.
Step 7
Buy only what you need when ordering. Ironically, buying more batteries to qualify for a bigger discount can waste money. According to Tom Begley, a representative for Rayovac, hearing aid batteries lose about 3 percent of the batteries capacity each year. After four years, the batteries have about 85 to 88 percent of the original capacity. If you buy from a battery club, order only the amount of batteries needed for the next year.
Tips and Warnings
- You can use a battery recharger to power up used hearing aid batteries and save money. Hearing aid batteries, also called button batteries, can recharge in a solar or electrical battery recharger. If your insurance does not cover hearing aid batteries and your audiologist or hearing aid specialist does not participate in a buying club, hearing aid batteries may be more expensive to buy through the clinic.
- Keep batteries away from moisture and humidity to prevent premature battery failure.
