Just curious if anyone’s having issues with child proof hearing aid batteries. We’re starting to see all disposable hearing aid batteries coming in new packaging to comply with Reece’s Law. I’ve heard from a few folks that they are struggling. Energizer claims that their batteries are “senior considerate” 
.
Anyone have any experience? Any brands batter than others? Is this the end of disposable hearing aid batteries?
Easier said than done if one has Parkinson’s or EssentialTremor!
If I (E.T.) had to use scissors, I’d cut off my fingers.
I love my Induction rechargeable Oticons!!
Finally (maybe) a reason to like my Phonak Audeo Paradise P90R’s rechargeable batteries.
Except day before yesterday I adapted a program and used it from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. They died. I couldn’t hear anything until about 7:00 pm when they finally were charged enough to last the rest of the day. Capacity is an issue; they don’t last long enough
a thought–drug stores dispense prescriptions in different containers for seniors. I use those. They are easy to open. They will split pills too. Perhaps they can take those new containers, empty them, and put them in a suitable container for those of us that have issues.
We just got our first packs of batteries in the new packaging. It’s terrible! I cannot figure out an easy cut to get the batteries out, and now, I have to either carry scissors with us when we are out, or carry loose batteries somehow for just in case situations. I have arthritis in my right thumb, and it has already been difficult with the shorter tabs, but now, it’s a frustrating pain situation to get the little devils out for my son. Thank God he isn’t needing to get them out himself!
And we have 2-3 years till he can get rechargeables!
Child Resistant Packaging is almost impossible to open. Videos online show them being cut open easily. Even if you get past cutting them open like cutting a pie, the plastic holding the battery is hard to to open.
I agree, though they are a tad easier after my Fourth package! However, I have to release a pack’s worth to keep in my wallet or carry scissors everywhere I go, because my sinks often run out when we are on the go! Kinda defeats the purpose, in my opinion.
I can hardly wait to see what TSA thinks about carrying scissors!
When I looked up the law it seemed to imply the law didn’t apply to medical use and yet here we are!
I don’t understand how children after the first cut can’t get to the rest of them! I also think children still have access to the lower power removed batteries anyway, so why not just make a case that it child proof and leave the packaging alone. This law was not well thought out, imho.
Found this interesting. Apparently almost all of the fatalities related to disposable batteries are lithium ion batteries in 2032 size (way bigger than hearing aid batteries) Unfortunately (as is often the case) the legislature painted with too broad a brush to solve a real issue.
https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/774838-overview?ecd=wnl_critimg_240802_mscpref_etid6712085&uac=291877PK&impID=6712085
Back when i used throw away batteries I simply changed them every fourth morning
I just received my first shipment of these near impregnable packages. Tried scissors, and I guess they are not razor sharp, so got a box cutter, and that got through the heavier plastic being used. I’m not dealing with a great many dexterity issues, but this is beyond reasonable. I guess I should forget using my hearing aids, is what I’m feeling.
I don’t understand why there couldn’t be an exception for the iron air batteries. They aren’t toxic like the other button cell batteries.
WH
It’s not just toxicity, but also the possibility of choking and suffocation, as well as getting stuck in the baby’s body. Such stuckness risks the formation of sores in the esophagus, ulceration and then life-threatening perforation.
Look who wrote the bill, and who signed it, should answer your question very quickly!!
And anyone that doesn’t properly handle these should be held accountable, not the whole world. Smoking kills too………
Pretty sure that’s a lithium ion battery. As far as I know there have been no deaths from Zinc Air batteries. The case that generated the law was a kid getting a lithium ion battery out of a remote control. Going from memory but I’m pretty sure a Zinc Air battery will pass through the body without harm. If you’ve got a counterexample I’m definitely interested. I believe including zinc Air batteries was overzealous.
On the X-ray is almost certainly the lithium battery CR2032. It is larger and has 3V, so indeed has more potential to become stuck and harm than zinc-air batteries. In fact, danger from the latter is more from choking or local pressure. I saw preparation from the autopsy of a child in which peanut blocked the trachea.
However, maybe you’re right about overzealously about zinc-air vs. lithium batteries, but due to round shape even the former may block respiratory tract.
This is on Reese’s website… "Reese swallowed a button battery in October 2020; she endured countless surgeries and scopes and was intubated under sedation for 40 days. Reese lost her fight on December 17, 2020, at just 18 months old. "
It seems to me that it wasn’t a hearing aid battery to begin with and the real reason the child died was from incompetent medical care.
Also I found that she removed the battery from a remote so what does that have to do with hearing aid battery packaging.?
Basically agree except for judgement on incompetent medical care. I don’t know enough about the case. One can do everything right in medicine and the patient can still die.
This is just a set towards banning disposable batteries. I thought that the regulation was stupid but the EU is even worse most times.
