You don’t have to be a Florida Hearing Matters patient to buy batteries or accessories from us. If you’re local to Fort Lauderdale and you need supplies in a hurry, drop by our MedPlex office or give us a call — we’ll have them ready when you arrive.
Hearing Aid Batteries
Most disposable hearing aid batteries are zinc-air — small button cells that activate when you peel off the colored sticker. The four standard sizes are color-coded so you can recognize yours instantly:
Used in completely-in-canal (CIC) and small in-the-canal hearing aids.
Typical life: 3–7 days
Used in receiver-in-canal (RIC) and many mini-BTE models.
Typical life: 5–10 days
Used in standard behind-the-ear (BTE) and ITE hearing aids.
Typical life: 7–14 days
Used in power BTE hearing aids and many cochlear implant accessories.
Typical life: 9–20 days
Not sure of your size? Bring your old battery or your hearing aid to the office and we’ll identify it for you on the spot. There is no charge to do that.
Battery Care Tips
- Don’t peel the sticker until you’re ready to use it. Once the sticker is removed, the battery starts reacting with air and will gradually drain even if it’s sitting in the package.
- Wait 60 seconds after peeling. Letting the battery sit out for a minute before inserting it gives it time to fully activate — you may notice up to 1–2 extra days of life.
- Store at room temperature. The fridge does not extend battery life and condensation can damage them.
- Buy enough to rotate through, not stockpile. Batteries lose potency over many months even unopened.
Cleaning & Maintenance Accessories
A hearing aid that gets cleaned weekly and stays dry will outlast one that doesn’t, often by years. We stock the following supplies in our office:
Wax Guards / Filters
The small white filter that sits in the speaker tip of a receiver-in-canal hearing aid. Replacing it monthly (or whenever sound becomes muffled) is the single biggest thing you can do to extend hearing aid life. Brand-specific — we’ll match yours.
Cleaning Brushes & Picks
Soft-bristle brushes for the microphone ports and battery contacts; small picks for clearing wax from earmolds. Replace the brush head every 6 months.
Drying Kits / Dehumidifiers
South Florida humidity is hard on hearing aids. A simple desiccant jar (overnight) or an electronic dehumidifier (1–3 hour cycle) removes moisture and can prevent corrosion-related repairs. Dr. Rossetti recommends one for almost every patient.
Retention Lines
Tiny clear filaments that anchor the hearing aid in the ear canal. Replace every 6–12 months — they get stretched and lose their grip.
Domes & Tips
The silicone dome on the speaker end of a RIC hearing aid. Replace whenever it gets stiff, discolored, or cracked. Sizes vary — bring your old dome and we’ll match it.
Tubing & Earmolds
For BTE-style hearing aids, the clear tubing from the aid to the earmold should be replaced every 4–6 months. Custom earmolds last years but should be cleaned regularly.
Streaming, Connectivity, and Charging Accessories
Modern hearing aids pair with phones, TVs, and remote microphones. We can order and set up:
- Replacement charging cases for rechargeable hearing aids (Phonak, Oticon, ReSound, Starkey, Widex, Signia).
- TV streamers that send audio directly into the hearing aids.
- Remote microphones for noisy environments and lectures.
- Bluetooth pendants for older hearing aids that don’t have direct phone connectivity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size hearing aid battery do I need?
Bring your old battery or your hearing aid to our office and we’ll identify the correct size for you on the spot — there’s no charge for that. The four standard sizes are color-coded: 10 (yellow) for the smallest in-canal models, 312 (brown) for receiver-in-canal, 13 (orange) for behind-the-ear, and 675 (blue) for power BTE.
How long do hearing aid batteries last?
Battery life depends on size and how much you wear and stream. Typical ranges: size 10 lasts 3–7 days, size 312 lasts 5–10 days, size 13 lasts 7–14 days, size 675 lasts 9–20 days. Heavy Bluetooth or phone-call streaming will shorten battery life significantly.
Do you sell batteries to the public, or only to your patients?
Anyone is welcome to buy batteries and accessories from us — you don’t need to be a patient. Many local seniors stop in for batteries simply because we’re convenient, friendly, and a fair price. (And many of those walk-ins eventually become patients.)
Should I switch from disposable batteries to rechargeable hearing aids?
Rechargeable models have come a long way and most patients love them, but disposable batteries still make sense for some — lower upfront cost, easier travel without a charger, and the ability to swap a fresh battery instantly if you forgot to charge. Dr. Rossetti is happy to compare both options at your next visit. Book a consult if you want to discuss.