Hearing aid battery nonsense

[BC38]

FWIW, mine are made by Resound but sold by Jabra. They only cost me around $1200 a couple of years ago. They charge "wirelessly" in their case, and one of the nice features of the case is that it contains it's own rechargeable battery. It's internal battery will recharge the hearing aids 3 or 4 times even without a power adapter or cable.

Fully charging them takes about 2 hours or so, but they work for about 30 hours per charge.

As for staying in place, I've had zero issues with that. One thing I do is put them in and then put on my glasses with their earpieces on the outside of the hearing aids. That way the glasses also help hold the hearing aids in place.

 

[swsig]

The last batch of hearing aid batteries came in a childproof package that I had never before seen. I had hell getting to them and said I would simply switch brands next time.
Well, most all of them have this armor on them now it seems.
Don't know the reason for the switch, but I'm not happy.

Two words: Tin snips. They make quick work of those diabolically armored hearing aid packages.

 

[BigBoy99]

The problem of "unopenable packaging" has now been extended to food products. We have had to stop buying our favorite chip salsa because of the gorilla the company has hired to screw on the covers. The jar covers are on so tight that a pair of slip joint pliers won't even open the cover. Also, having arthritis on both hand doesn't help the problem either.

 

[StrawHat]

The problem of "unopenable packaging" has now been extended to food products. We have had to stop buying our favorite chip salsa because of the gorilla the company has hired to screw on the covers. The jar covers are on so tight that a pair of slip joint pliers won't even open the cover. Also, having arthritis on both hand doesn't help the problem either.

Use a church key to pop the vacuum. The lid unscrews easily without the vacuum holding it tight.

Kevin

 

[gym cat]

Wife had a big problem opening jars etc. Bought a pair of channel locks. covers all sizes. Problem solved

 

[Alk8944]

I think the manufacturers are also trying to convince the hold outs to switch to rechargeable hearing aids. Their tactic worked on me and I have no regrets.

Makes no sense. Explain why a manufacturer of hearing aid batteries would want to encourage users to buy a rechargeable hearing aid! Then they wouldn't buy the batteries anymore!! The battery makers aren't selling rechargeables! I definitely agree that a rechargeable is preferable.

Regardless of the product the reason for the difficult packaging is two-fold. It is to child-proof the product to reduce litigation and liability resulting from children being injured by swallowing small items. The second reason is to theft-proof the product, to keep people from stealing the product from the packaging while still in the store!

Just wait until they start packaging ammunition in these bullet-proof materials, then you will have something to complain about. Don't believe it won't happen.

 

[lkabug]

I Have had hearing aids since 1986. First were regular batteries, then the zink-air. Then a year ago got my new aids with rechargeable lithium-ion batteries and charger. Much better than the old replaceable batteries.

 

[SteveA]

Just got Phillips rechargeables from Costco in December. I remember the frustration my Dad and Mom had constantly changing batteries. I really like these things. Should have done it sooner.

 

[swsig]

...
Regardless of the product the reason for the difficult packaging is two-fold. It is to child-proof the product to reduce litigation and liability resulting from children being injured by swallowing small items. The second reason is to theft-proof the product, to keep people from stealing the product from the packaging while still in the store!

Just wait until they start packaging ammunition in these bullet-proof materials, then you will have something to complain about. Don't believe it won't happen.

I say this is a conspiracy by tool manufacturers to increase the sale of tin snips.

 

[H Richard]

I'm on my third set of hearing aids from the VA. My first rechargeable, and all the future ones will be rechargeable. Plug them in at bedtime every night and they are always ready. Phonac's have been great, but aren't quite as sophisticated as some of the newer ones.

 

[ralph7]

Two words: Tin snips. They make quick work of those diabolically armored hearing aid packages.

This and/or a Dremel with the thin cutoff wheel.

 

[venomballistics]

see also .. tide pods
Then you'll come to understand the problem

 

[BC38]

see also .. tide pods
Then you'll come to understand the problem

You're so clever! And helpful too!

 

[BigBoy99]

Use a church key to pop the vacuum. The lid unscrews easily without the vacuum holding it tight.

Kevin

I have used a sharp pointed awl to poke a hole the jar lid cover to break the vacuum in jar where all of the contents will be used right away. However. poking a hole in jar whose contents are not used all at once and needs to be resealed presents a problem. Maybe keeping a roll of heavy tape in the kitchen drawer would be the answer to resealing the hole in the jar lid.

 

[BigBoy99]

All of the this "open proof" packaging is justified because "we have to save the kids!"

 

[Harrison]

The last batch of hearing aid batteries came in a childproof package that I had never before seen. I had hell getting to them and said I would simply switch brands next time.
Well, most all of them have this armor on them now it seems.
Don't know the reason for the switch, but I'm not happy.

Thankfully, my hearing aids are rechargeable. I just put them on their little charging stand.

 

[Harrison]

I too have noticed that the last batch of batteries I got from my hearing aid center were in a pack that requires cutting out with a pair of scissors into triangle shapes, then peeling the battery away from the plastic cover and finally removing the black plastic protection tape which is usually found on all 312 style batteries to protect from shorting out. I wanted a hearing aid that would not fall out easily, my wife did not recommend her rechargable types because they come out quite easily. I don't have to pry mine out but they are secured quite well and I have never had one fall out after a tumble. I get batteries for life with my purchase, usually a box of 10 that holds eight, I think. A set of batteries last me at least four days or so depending on the level I have them at, I have three levels and on "bat" level they don't last very long but I can hear a mouse fart in the back room.

If your hearing aids fall out, they were not fitted properly. That is the fault of whoever prescribed them. They should have taken a mold of the ear and the hearing aids made from that mold.

 

[Harrison]

All of the this "open proof" packaging is justified because "we have to save the kids!"

When I was a kid, stuff that I might swallow or could harm me were put out of my reach. When I was a slightly older kid I was taught, NOT to get into stuff that could harm me. The teaching could include some swats to my backside.

Parenting has changed over the decades.

 

[OPinOKC]

AFAIK rechargeable is not an option for us ITE users, and my type of hearing loss requires ITE. I also like being able to replace when batteries get low and recharging would be inconvenient, like on international flights.

 

[Onomea]

FWIW, I visited my audiologist today for an annual hearing exam and reprogram. I asked about my rechargeable battery powered hearing aids flashing at night in the recharger. (I cover the charger up with a cup because the flashing bugs me.) She said rechargeable batteries wear out, and that they would send them back to the factory for battery replacement prior to my three year warranty expiring in September.