Need decision help how to proceed with hearing aids, your experience

Thanks for your thoughts. I hope my "Crickets on a country summer night" doesn't get worse.

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.

The cutest thing about my 6 year old granddaughter is that I was worried about first graders making fun of her.
Just the opposite happened. Kids in her class thought they were so neat that they went home to their parents and asked if they could get a pair.
The point is that at six years old she owned her hearing aids. One fellow classmate asked what they were and she said some people have to wear glasses to see and she needs her hearing aids to hear.
Long story short wearing hearing aids is better than the alternative.

Has your wife had her hearing tested by a doctor of audiology recently? It might help for her to learn more about hearing aids that are available now compared to what she once had.

My attitude changed when I met other people who used hearing aids who were willing to sit down and talk about it. That was a long time ago, but today through involvement in HLAA for several decades, I've learned a great deal about all aspects of hearing loss including the psychosocial aspects. I find it amazing that people are so negative about getting hearing help.

Losing hearing is a major life loss as it separates us socially and creates barriers that we, and others do not understand. I hope you might be able to connect face to face with someone or a group of people who live with hearing loss and are open to talking about it. on line is helpful, but in person is even better!

If there is an HLAA chapter in your area, connect with them even if you have to do it alone.
https://www.hearingloss.org/get-involved/hlaa-chapters/

Lexie brand hearing aids are working well for me; I have the Lexie B1 which uses batteries; I didn't want the rechargeable B2 model because if I'm away from home without charger, then I'm not able to use them until I re-charge.
They are great; I can adjust Left and Right volumes; Base & Treble; front direction or 360° direction detection; don't have to go to audiologist for adjusting. Reasonable price (@$500-$700) for a pair depending on when they have special sale price periodically.
I even bought a spare pair to keep in my truck in case I leave home without them. Comes with a nice case; phone app allows many tweaks to make adjustments. Lexiehearing.com
Great customer service and support

I too, have the same summer nights crickets. The last 2 months they have gotten so much louder and not just at nights. If you find something that helps you, please share it with me.
Thank you,

What has happened with participation on this site?
People out there must have experiences with new hearing aids that they can share with people.
My experience is that if you can get by with over the counter hearing aids your hearing loss is not that severe.
Let’s hear what new hearing aids work for everyone out there.
I look forward to getting some responses.

thanks for your comment, Lexie hearing aids can also be purchased through Amazon, it was helpful to read the reviews which identified issues buyers encountered with the device-

I could not decide on OTC hearing aids yet. I also would like some input from other members here.

I get my hearing aids through TruHearing. They carry all the major brands at substantially lower prices.
They also have a network of Audiologist they work with so have them check the area you live to see who is in that network.
As I said before OTC hearing aids may work well for mild to moderate hearing loss but not for severe or profound hearing loss.
Good luck.