Recent changes to hearing aid battery packaging have resulted in frustration for some people who use battery-powered hearing aids. We’re going to help you understand why the changes occurred, how to open battery packaging, and how to store open batteries safely.
Why did hearing aid battery packaging change?
For many years, hearing aid batteries came in a package that allowed you to open them easily without the need for scissors or other tools. This made them convenient, but there was one big problem: when people or pets got ahold of small batteries like this and accidentally ingested them, it proved dangerous or even fatal, especially for young children.
Read more about the impact of swallowing batteries on children from Children’s Mercy Kansas City
Small batteries are found in many common household items in addition to hearing aids, including remote controls, key fobs, holiday decorations and electronic toys. While the majority of ingestions that caused harm were from lithium ion batteries (the larger “button” batteries in many of these devices), zinc-air hearing aid batteries can also pose a danger if swallowed.
To counteract this concern, in 2022, legislators passed Reese’s Law, which required more secure, childproof packaging and warning labels for items with small batteries. While it’s too soon to tell if the law is reducing emergency room visits from battery ingestion, safety experts are optimistic that it will reverse the upward trend that we saw over the previous decade.
Unfortunately, the law has also had one unintended consequence: the new packaging is proving difficult for many hearing aid users, especially older adults or people with disabilities. As Bill Schiffmiller pointed out in a recent Forbes magazine article, “This seemingly small change has introduced a cascade of issues for users who have no choice but to rely on assistance or manipulate sharp tools to get their batteries… The very purpose of hearing aids is to help users stay connected and engaged, yet this design flaw forces them into isolation at the worst possible moments. This lack of foresight in packaging design shows how a well-intended safety measure can unintentionally create new barriers to accessibility, mobility, and inclusion — an issue that must be addressed.”
While the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) did initially consider an exemption for hearing aid batteries, that exemption was not included in the final legislation. Many audiologists and professional organizations are gathering data in effort to put forth a recommendation on the matter. Specifically, Rep. Robyn Kelly, who initially proposed the law, is accepting feedback on the unintended consequences. If you would like to provide your feedback on the issue, you can contact Earl Flood from Rep. Kelly’s office.
How to open childproof hearing aid packaging
While change is never easy, it is possible to get those batteries out of the package. If you feel like you cannot safely open the packaging yourself, ask a friend or family member to assist you, or talk with your audiologist about options that might work better for you, such as battery storage containers or rechargeable hearing aids.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to opening the new packaging on Power One batteries sold in our Associated Audiologists, Inc. clinics:
- Sit at a table with your hearing aid(s), battery pack, and a pair of scissors.
- Remove the used battery from your hearing aid and safely discard or recycle.
- Grasp the package of new batteries in one hand and a pair of scissors in the other.
- Use scissors to cut a triangle shape around one battery, like you are cutting a slice of pie.
- Open the “pie slice” from the back side, pulling the cardboard backing from the plastic, and take the new battery from the package.
- Remove the tab and let sit for one minute to allow air to activate the battery.
- Insert the fresh battery into your device.
Watch a video version of these instructions.
Tip: You may even want to keep a good pair of scissors in the same place you keep your batteries, so they’re always handy when you need them.
Storing hearing aid batteries safely
Some users have tried to open lots of batteries at once and store them together in a small container to avoid the hassle of using scissors each time. But unfortunately, this can result in the batteries losing their charge and ultimately, becoming useless. It can also pose a danger to yourself or others if batteries are mistaken for or mixed with medicines or food and swallowed — the whole reason for the new packaging in the first place!
If you open multiple batteries at once and are not planning to use them immediately, you must store them in a container with individual slots or compartments for each battery to ensure that the batteries do not come in contact with one another. Remember to leave the adhesive sticker in place until you are ready to use that battery. We offer a safe storage container for sale in all of our clinics, or you can also buy them online.
A battery storage case is a great solution for those who need assistance opening the childproof packaging or who will be traveling and cannot take scissors with you. But if you can safely do so, the best bet is still to just open the batteries you need and leave the rest in the sealed packaging.
Questions about batteries or other hearing concerns? Contact one of our doctoral-level audiologists at Associated Audiologists. We’re here to help!
