Do you agree with the proposed exemption for hearing aid devices and associated zinc air batteries? Why/why not? (see Section 5.3)
Yes, we agree to the broader exemption applied to zinc air batteries.
As a provider of hearing aids and hearing aid batteries, we believe child-resistant packaging would limit the ability of our hearing aid users, most of which are elderly, to successfully use their hearing aids (which are essential for communication and quality of life). Changing batteries is a frequent event, with users typically changing their hearing aid batteries every 5-7 days. Child-resistant packaging will inhibit or prevent users from removing the hearing aid batteries from the packaging. Most of our clients manage their hearing aids independently. Our clients typically keep their hearing aids away from children/younger family members, given hearing aids are fragile, expensive and worn most of the time the user is awake. An additional comment - hearing aid batteries can be an expensive but necessary consumable for users, and any additional costs associated with new packaging & labeling, may adversely impact users financially and socially (i.e. wear their hearing aids less to preserve battery capacity).