I sure can identify with you on those child resistant packages.....ridiculous the design some brands use to seal the batteries in their packaging! There certainly are better ways to package hearing aid batteries - I no longer purchase those brands that make it so difficult to open their packages.

It's your responsibility to carry what you need for your hearing aids. Hospitals in my area do have hearing aid batteries available if needed. However, you have to know what you need and ask for them. Unfortunately, staff may not know where they are. It's very important for those of us who use hearing aids to be upfront and vocal. In most cases, someone from home should be able to bring what you need if you don't have it with you.

Rechargeable aids are only good if you remember to bring the charger.

HLAA chapters have put 'hospital kits' together for people that include signage, a ziplock bag to hold batteries and also to hold hearing aids if they are not being used. It is very easy to lose a hearing aid in a hospital if you take them off and put them on the tray next to the bed. We encourage people to have a kit and know where it is in case of a trip to a hospital.

So much of what we hard of hearing people need relates to advocacy and assertiveness. If you have a bad experience let the hospital know. Hospitals are supposed to have someone responsible for patient advocacy but it may be difficult to find that person.

Be prepared to help yourself and to use these experiences as 'teaching moments' when you can. Are you willing to do that?