If you use hearing aids with trusty zinc-air batteries, you might have recently noticed a small change—well, small but mighty annoying! The new packaging for your batteries may now require scissors, patience, and maybe a little help from a friend or neighbor. What gives? Meet Reese’s Law and why zinc air batteries changed packaging.
In 2022, Congress passed Reese’s Law, a serious step in battery safety. It’s named after Reese Hamsmith, an 18-month-old child who tragically passed away after swallowing a button battery. Her story led to widespread efforts to make packaging for small batteries, like the ones in hearing aids, safer for curious kids and pets. The new law mandates childproof packaging for all zinc-air button cell and coin batteries imported after March 8, 2024.
Now, we all want to keep children and pets safe, but the flip side is that this packaging can be a real pain, especially for older adults. For those of us with limited dexterity or arthritis, trying to crack open one of these new packages can feel like we’re battling the box itself!
Opening this new packaging might remind you of wrestling with a stubborn jar of pickles. You’ll need scissors, maybe a little muscle, and possibly some moral support! Gone are the days of just popping open a plastic flap—now, getting to your battery is a multi-step process.
Don’t worry; you’re not alone. Many people find it tricky. We recommend enlisting a friend or family member to lend a hand. Pro tip: tackle your batteries over a table, so if they pop out, they don’t go rolling off into oblivion!
With all this packaging fuss, you might be thinking, “Is there an easier way?” Well, there is! Many hearing aid users are switching to rechargeable batteries. No more fumbling with packaging or tiny, tricky tabs. Just pop your hearing aids on a charger, and you’re good to go for up to 20 hours!
Rechargeable hearing aids have come a long way. They’re more convenient, environmentally friendly, and—let’s be real—they save you from the hassle of battling battery packaging every few days. Plus, you’ll no longer need to worry about keeping little batteries safe from curious hands and paws.
If you’re not ready to go rechargeable just yet, here are some quick tips to make your battery battles a little easier:
While Reese’s Law may have made things a bit more complicated, it’s ultimately making our world safer for everyone—especially the little ones. In the meantime, consider the rechargeable option. It could be the upgrade that saves you time, frustration, and a lot of tiny battery wrestling!
If you’re interested in upgrading to rechargeable, through the end of October we are offering $500 off rechargeable hearing aids so check in and see what your options are. You’ll thank yourself when you’re not scrambling for scissors every week!
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