Uro, From 30 years around guns, both small (.22 Cal) and big (155mm), my hearing is pretty shot. Plus, I have a VERY loud ringing in my ears (tinnitus). The ringing NEVER stops and sounds like sirens going off in my head 24 x 7. I just got my hearing aids a month ago at $6.5K per pair. They are so small you cannot tell I am wearing them unless I make the effort to point them out to you. They're digital and have 10 various sound curves that can be additionally programed each accenting various parts of the frequency spectrum. The big minus other than the cost is the programing MUST be done at the audiologist's office. My favorite I call "Wife/Mother-in-Law OFF" mode (Read: Mute). They just turn into ear plugs. It took repeated trips and some time to get them adjusted the way I wanted them and I think they are worth it. I have heard things I never heard before (and sometimes I wish I would never hear again). Anyway, if at all possible I would see if your audiologist would allow "try-before-you-buy" before you fork over any serious cash. Some design-type/brand may work better for you than others. My 2-Cents. Good Luck.
I posted here a couple of years ago, days before I got my hearing aids. The pair, which fit behind my ear with a very small tube going into the ear canal, were expensive -- over $4,000 for the pair, but they really are fantastic. The first time my wife and I went to the ballet, I remember telling her that "they have flutes. They have flutes." The sound was beautiful (and still is). Mine have several settings, perhaps the most important one just increases the sound that are in the 70 degrees or so in front of me for use in crowded places like receptions. I haven't had any problems with mine. Maybe two trips back, initially, to get them adjusted and now two years or more with no additional need for adjustments. Just be grateful that we live in an age when good hearing aids are available. And, not incidentially, I have very good health benefits from the Hospital were I practice but my hearing aids were NOT covered. I ended up purchasing them from my flex plan so at least I didn't have to pay taxes on the money that I paid for them.
http://mayoclinic.com/health/hearing-aids/HQ00812 http://mayoclinic.com/health/hearing-loss/DS00172 http://www.audiology.org/aboutaudiology/consumered/guides/hearingaids.htm
