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"Child Resistant" hearing aid batteries — issues?

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Edited

I have several hearing aid battery case options in my Etsy shop. The regular size holds 10 batteries, the mini holds 6, and the key chain holds 2. The batteries are held in place with embedded magnets so they don’t spill out (it is a proven myth that magnets effect battery life) They are easy to open and are available in custom color options. Happy to answer any questions.

Here is an exclusive coupon code for 15% off: TOTHEARINGTRACKER15

https://thoughtsonthreadsus.etsy.com18

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I have purchased the above case and it works well and is made very well too. To remove the batteries from these new packages I drill the little riveted area out between the batteries with 1/8 driil bit - 6 around the outside and 1 in the middle. The plastic case will seperate.

In case it helps anyone, my (imperfect) solution is to use a pair of electronics wire clippers (Amazon). I clip close to either side of the battery I want to “set free”, and then pry up the plastic.
Dexterity wise, the hardest part is the last part. I am not arthritic but I have nerve damage on my dominant hand, with reduced strength/dexterity.
This will probably change my decision for my next hearing aid.

No cutting…..pull the paper backing off and flash a bic lighter on the bottom for a few seconds then pull the softened plastic apart with your fingers. The batteries will fall out. Store batteries separate.

Can’t remember where I was exploring online the other day - Etsy maybe - but one of the things I saw in passing was a device to “open hearing aid packages.” For a mere $30 each all our problems with the packaging could be solved.

I’m guessing it was this item on Etsy. Seems like something that an audiologist might use in their office, but I’m not sure how many people would want one in their home. Also, I’d be worried that not all battery packaging would fit in it. This seems designed to fit a particular size cardboard backing.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/4348285120/hearing-aid-battery-pack-opener44

The battery packages are very difficult to cut open with scissors. It’s much easier to turn it over and slide the tip of a paring knife between the cardboard backing and the plastic shell. Work the backing loose, then peel off the backing and shake all the batteries into a small plastic baggie for use as needed. Dispose of the empty shell.

Edited

In reply to @thoughtsonthreads

OMG!!! This link needs to be flagged - seriously! There are LOTS of folks here despairing about the dangerous battery packs - dangerous to MILLIONS of us hearing aid battery users, that is!

I will order a couple at eBay FOR. SURE. Thanks for the link! :heart_eyes:

I won’t have to squirrel away my plastic Duracel battery cases if I can get my hands on a couple of these EASY open battery cases!

(EDIT: I just ordered two: PINK for my Precious Pink Phonaks & BLUE for my Caribbean Pirates! WOooOoOoOoOOO!)

In reply to @SusanWeber

@SusanWeber said:

It’s much easier to turn it over and slide the tip of a paring knife between the cardboard backing and the plastic shell.

What brand of batteries do you have? Rayovac Extra child-resistant batteries are sandwiched between two sheets of plastic that are crimped/welded firmly together. Peeling the assembly off the cardboard backing leaves you with that plastic sandwich still holding the batteries.

Edited

In reply to @SusanWeber

@SusanWeber said:

small plastic baggie

There is significant risk your batteries will form a circuit in the bag and discharge before they are able to be used. If you can get them in a stack in a single row, that would be safe, but if they are jumbled up like a ball-shaped bag of coins, you are at risk of shorting them. There are containers made to prevent them. If you can store them laid out flat like cookies on a sheet, that is safe, too.

WH

The new child resistant hearing aid packaging is at best tremendously inconvenient and at worst a threat to hearing aid users and others.

I’m lucky: I can open the packaging with scissors and varying levels of difficulty depending on the thickness of the packaging. But it’s time-consuming and forces me to carry unpackaged replacement batteries for places and times when carrying or using scissors isn’t feasible (e.g. on airplanes, in professional meetings, during social engagements.)

Being unable to change a battery could also expose me or others to harm when I am walking alone, crossing city streets, driving, operating equipment or machinery or taking care of a small child or frail elder. These risks should evaluated against the benefits of child resistant battery packaging. I strongly suspect that the cons will outweigh the pros.

If the battery package is opened and the batteries removed and stored in a different container, doesn’t that now create an issue for where to store this new container so that small hands can’t get into it! Going back to the original battery packaging, in my opinion, makes for a safer situation. The “new” container we put these batteries into is more apt to be a safety issue than the “old” packaging.

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