HH/Beck: Hi Carol. Thanks for joining me today. Before we discuss battery packaging, I'd like to start with a brief bio about you. Would you please tell me where you went to school, and where you practice?
Bergmann: I went to school in Texas and got my undergraduate degree from Sam Houston State University. I completed my masters at the University of Missouri in Columbia in 1984, and I obtained my doctorate from the Arizona School of Health Sciences this past year.
HH/Beck: Congratulations! That is fantastic. I'm proud of you for going back to school and earning your doctorate. Carol, although I've probably known you for some 15 years, I cannot recall the name of your practice?
Bergmann: It's Hearing Health Care in Ellisville, Missouri, just outside of Saint Louis.
HH/Beck: I know you've had some experience with patients as far as their ability to manipulate and change hearing aid batteries, and the impact of new battery packaging. Can you review that for me?
Bergmann: Yes, the mother of one of our patients works with Energizer, and she asked if our office would evaluate and gather some information on the Energizer EZ Change packaging. Those are the batteries in the plastic container that spins around and has a magnet, designed to help people with dexterity problems while handling batteries. So we participated, but it wasn't a formal research study, but it was a way to get a sense of what the consumers think.
HH/Beck: How did you evaluate the consumer's thoughts and impressions?
Bergmann: Basically, whenever people purchased batteries, or when they got new or repaired hearing aids, we gave them an EZ Change package to see if they preferred the regular dial packs which they were used to, or if they preferred the EZ Change packaging. After they had used all the batteries, we had them fill in a form to evaluate the two battery packs.
HH/Beck: What did you find?
Bergmann: We found that most people really liked the EZ change packaging and they told us they planned to use it. Of course, there were people that didn't care for it, and usually they were the people that broke battery doors trying to get the battery in place and they also had trouble spinning the dial too. So a few people reported more difficulty handling the pack then handling the battery.
HH/Beck: That's an interesting finding. So the conclusion was that for the majority of people, the EZ Change packaging was preferred, but for a minority of people, the standard packaging was preferred?
Bergmann: Yes, that's right. We really thought they would all prefer the EZ Change because it's attached to a magnet and they don't have to touch the battery to insert it into their hearing aid or take it out of the hearing aid, they can use the magnet. Our findings really support the idea that hearing professionals need to stock a wide assortment of battery and battery packaging options, to meet the needs and preferences of the consumers.
HH/Beck: Are there any patients in particular who had a specific situation where the EZ Change packaging was beneficial?
Bergmann: The people that had more difficulty with arthritis seemed to do better once they learned to spin the dial correctly. It did take a little time to learn how to use the EZ Change correctly. Some people who have been doing it the same way for years have a hard time remembering new things, and switching their routines. For instance, Alzheimer's patients and others with dementia may not do very well switching routines. Of course, many of those people don't personally handle batteries anyway. Overall, regarding people with dexterity issues, most of them found it beneficial.
However, I think it would be a mistake to have just one battery packaging style. I think consumers need choices to determine the best products for them. The EZ Change packaging solves many problems, but it has to be offered as an option, among other packaging styles and alternatives. I know some battery manufacturers are trying to come out with easier ways to insert batteries because hearing aid batteries can be a real issue for many people. I think they're on the right track.
HH/Beck: Thanks for your time this morning, Carol. It's been fun and I appreciate your insight on these issues. I wish you continued success and will look forward to seeing you one of these days.
Bergmann: Thank you too Doug.
