If you're in the United States you have a right to communication access in your educational pursuit. It is your responsibility to ask for it. You might ask for an FM system for classrooms. That would involve a microphone transmitter that would be used by the speaker, and a receiver with headphones that you would use to hear the lecture. This isn't perfect, but it helps. YOU have to be your own advocate by letting whoever has the transmitter microphone that you need to have questions and comments repeated. Another option is to request a notetaker and/ or use a device that allows speech to text captioning. The school should cover costs for all of these options. That is more available and accurate now than it was only a few years ago. You need to be proactive. Find out who you need to talk to at your school about disability rights and accommodations.

FYI, there are very few insurance policies that cover hearing aids, even when you are working full time. You may have to cover the costs regardless. Those cheap internet aids were likely of the OTC (over the counter) variety that were not fit for your specific needs. Not a good solution.

Hearing aids are very expensive, but if you need them, they are worth the cost. FYI: You may want to explore hearing aids from big box stores like Costco. Costco sells good quality hearing aids and might be worth exploring. They offer a 6 month trial period which would give you the opportunity to see how they work for you.

To fit a hearing aid well, an accurate audiogram is needed. Go to a reputable AuD audiologist, get tested. Ask for a copy of your test results. You then can shop elsewhere without having to be retested.

Have you had your hearing tested by a doctor of audiology? If not, do so, so you know what you need to improve your hearing.