@joangela @ethanmcconkey Hi Joan, I feel like what you wrote could almost have been written by me. I did not have a hearing loss until about 15 years ago but it has gotten progressively worse, and now my clarity/comprehension has gone downhill also. Communicating is very frustrating.

I can be in my own home, with just family members around, and the conversation is overwhelming. I have at times just politely dropped out, and gotten out my IPad. Prior to my final retirement (I was "retired" for 20 years when I was raising my son and daughter), my hearing loss did not involve clarity so I could cope better. We often go out to dinner with another couple and it can be very challenging. I have Oticon HAs and have the Connect Clip to use with them. When we go out I sometimes bring that and have the other woman wear it so I can hear her better. When we are with my son he automatically asks for it! He tries harder than anyone to be accommodating to my hearing loss. The Connect Clip is helpful but the quality of sound is a bit harsh so it is not great. The time it is most helpful is when I go to water aerobics. One of the instructors leads from outside of the pool so she wears it for me. I wear my hearing aids in the water because my head never goes near the water.

I am hearing more and more about the HLAA convention in June, in Rochester, NY. Are you attending that? I have not yet decided, I have a lot of things going on now and the airfare is not cheap. I am in NH.

If you have any tidbits of advice, things you have found helpful, please post. I am interested in anything that can be helpful.
JK