@th1. This does help, thanks, and reminds me that I need to refresh my memory when I visit the audiologist about precisely what my problem is and all the ways it can be addressed. I think the deafness in my left ear was caused by damage to the auditory nerve when they removed the acoustic neuroma. I read an article several years ago that doctors can now remove acoustic neuromas without destroying the auditory nerve if the nerve hadn't been too badly damaged to begin with. I remember thinking at the time mine must have been pretty damaged, since I was having serious hearing problems in that ear, which led to the diagnosis and subsequent surgery. I don't think they could have preserved the nerve.

Thanks for the good advice about buying and testing hearing aids. Before I spend more than $25 on anything, I consult Consumer Reports to see what their recommendations are. Before I go HA shopping, I'll look at their website again and download their latest information on hearing aids and do a lot of research on the internet. I'm a member of the professed luddite group here but am amazed at how much I love my Ipad and the worlds it opens up to me. I don't know what Next Door is but will check it out. Thanks! Nancy