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"Child Resistant" hearing aid batteries — issues?

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In reply to @kitcesm

Sheer greed, actually. After one-time costs of contracting a couple of package design engineers and of retooling the packaging process, the bill of materials should cost significantly less than the cost of the “carousel” type packages. They certainly won’t lower prices to reflect their lower costs.
I believe a class action law suit is in order!

I would think,
Amendment contact your representative and let them know you’re feelings.
Class action law suit, contact a trial attorney and see if their interested.

The law passed by Congress let the Consumer Product Safety Commission decide whether the new packaging requirements should apply to zinc-air batteries. So the CPSC decided to include zinc-air, and I would imagine that they’re empowered to reverse their decision.

In reply to @1Bluejay

I’m absolutely with you. I have Phonak battery aids - I refuse to go rechargeable because of the longevity issue; I wear mine on average 12- 15 hrs a day. Anyway, on to your comments. I received my last shipment of Power One batteries (childproof pkgs) - didn’t realize it until I tried to use/open them like the old packaging (pull down the tab, pop out battery, rotate, repeat). No go. What the??? Read the back. Scissors!?!? Since when!!!??? Anything less than Wiss shears wouldn’t touch it. Screw that. Slicing with my utility knife more effective (and risky). You’re right; we need fewer people thinking for us and more opportunity to take responsibility in our own lives.

In reply to @MDB

Actually, they shouldn’t discharge even when out of the package and loose. The side of the battery with the tab on it is the positive (+) side, which also extends around the curved edge. If storing multiple batteries loose in, say, an empty pill bottle, there’s chance that they could short circuit against each other and become discharged. Otherwise, they should be fine.

In reply to @Torbill

Exactly. What folks may not realize is the positive “terminal” of these batteries is not just the surface with the sticker/tab on it, but extends along the curved sides, separated from the negative “terminal” only by a narrow gap. Bridge that gap with anything metal (including another battery) and it’ll discharge.

@Ian_Quay said:

Bridge that gap with anything metal (including another battery) and it’ll discharge.

Only if the tab is removed and activated, I kept up to three 312 batteries in a very small plastic hearingaid battery case for years with no problems. I have had battery aids since 2001.

No, that’s not true: even with the tab on, if you short the terminals you will kill the battery and they can get fairly hot too.

In reply to @MDB

What we did was open the new packs, and place in a zip lock baggie. or put them in the zip case that we carried ( 1 for each of us) and had them that way. The Gent at our Cotsco instructed us how to cut the package so that we could use them the ones we did buy. It’s only myself with the 312 his are now the rechargeable.

Edited

In reply to @Um_bongo

@Um_bongo said:

No, that’s not true: even with the tab on, if you short the terminals you will kill the battery and they can get fairly hot too

Well I am not sure why after using this battery carrier for years that I notice no difference in length of usage compared to the packaged batteries and never any heat. Maybe just lucky for 20 years.
Edit: So… I got my volt meter out to check for voltage of battery without pulling tab and measured +/- 1 volt. After removing tab got1.38 volt after 15 minutes.
MY BAD, there IS voltage present even without removing tab.

20250215_083626

In reply to @cleveto

Your case keeps them all in the same plane and prevents the contacts from forming a circuit across the two terminals of any one battery. That’s a good case and why you don’t experience loss.

WH

In reply to @cleveto

I’ve been doing the same thing for the past 20 years with not one issue, I am using a micro memory card case with a thin foam pad in it to hold the bats in place so they don’t move about, the case can hold up to 12 #13, last me 6 weeks give or take.

In reply to @Bob_P

On the ones I had first there is a high place in the middle that I don’t think anything will cut through. BUT I discovered that there are fingers between the battery humps. I’ve had success pulling those out which gives me a lot less cardboard and then I can lift the plastic to get the batteries out. I discovered it on my second cut that it looked like you could lift the plastic.

I just received the Duracell Activair which are in a longish plastic case. They appear to open well although I haven’t fully tried them. I think they are over priced, but I had in mind reusing the containers.

I did find another brand that has a perforated strip on the bottom. After lining the battery up at the bottom you can apparently do a straight cut that then allows the battery to drop out. Each battery does take a cut but they seem to be just plastic being cut. The dial does still work so you are turning each battery to the bottom. If you are going to have to use scissors, those seem the best option.

I really hope this packaging doesn’t come over the “The Gulf of Great Britain”. However, I have bought an accessory for that eventuality :slight_smile:

Peter

Got the new packaging design with my latest restock. I’ve worn hearing aids for 30+ years and never needed an additional tool to remove batteries from the packaging. It wouldn’t be so bad if they’d designed it so the scissors were only needed to “unlock” the package, but it’s not, and even if you cut each battery out individually the sharp jaggedy plastic isn’t something you want to carry around.

If you have the means or know someone who does, there are 3D printable battery holders you can make. I made this one:

Battery Case for Hearing Aid Batteries (312 Brown) by thni17

I have a friend who uses hearing aids for both ears.He always keeps some batteries with him. The package is thin cartboard and plastic and when carried in the pocket they can fall out. The batteries gets activated when the brown flip gets pulled off,...

I need to adjust it though because the inserts are too tight so the batteries are impossible to remove.

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