@pmrsuzie Hi there, thank you for sharing your experience. What you described—feeling lost during conversations in noise, even with hearing aids—is extremely common, and it’s not a reflection of anything you’re doing wrong. Background noise is one of the hardest listening environments for everyone, especially with sensorineural hearing loss.

Even with basic hearing aids, there are assistive options that can make group settings more manageable. Many Oticon models can work with external microphones or remote microphones that send the speaker’s voice directly into the hearing aids. That kind of setup often helps more than making the hearing aids “stronger.” If you ever have the chance, ask your provider to demonstrate these accessories can give you a clearer idea of what might help before making any financial decisions.

Limited resources and confidence with technology shouldn’t prevent access to clearer communication. Small changes, like learning how to use a remote mic or having your provider adjust noise-reduction settings, can make a meaningful difference.