It's so common for elderly people to resist getting hearing help. The older they are the more likely that is. Much of that is due to the stigmas about hearing loss they have heard about all their lives. Hearing instruments have improved greatly in the last couple of decades, but they still cannot give a person perfect hearing. On the other hand, when fit well and used properly in a relatively quiet environment, they can make a big difference.

Another thing that might help your mother is a Pocket Talker. That is a device that picks up the desired sound from a microphone and sends it to a pair of headphones that are worn by the person who needs to hear. Many hospitals use this technology for patients who have trouble hearing.

I see they are listed on Amazon for prices between $179 - $220. If you go there, make sure you are looking at Pocket Talker by Williams Sound. There are other devices with similar names. Items purchased on Amazon are returnable.

Sorry your mother had a bad experience with a hearing aid years ago. A well fit hearing aid should be done by an experienced audiologist, who, by law, must allow a trial period with the policy the HA can be returned within that trial time.

Not being able to hear well enough to communicate with others is isolating. That leads to feeling lonely and even depressed. I agree you shouldn't nag your mother but hope that the Pocket Talker might sit well with her. It's a lot like listening to a portable radio with headphones. That might seem 'cool' to her. Good luck.