I know the thread is about hearing aids, but since people have brought up tinnitus...I started a thread here: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=111525&highlight=TINNITUS Nobody was yanking anyone's chain, people do suicide over Tinnitus. When I first realized I had it, I couldn't sleep for days, it was all I could hear, it can drive ya crazy. I'll swear I've always had it since I was a kid, but the unmuffled exhaust, concerts, guns, machines, sure didn't help. I don't like preachers and I'm not a safety nazi but I beg people to wear hearing protection so they won't get the 'nitius. It's an F'ed up thing to have.
I'm on my third (and best set) of hearing aids. They are from Audibel Electronics (Starkey Brand). I bought this set in 1998 at a cost of $5000. They are old tech now but still work OK! Their newest types are awesome but very pricey. I have essentially no high frequency hearing (without aids) in either ear. The total loss is 80% in right and 70% in left. With the Starkeys I'm back to about 30% and 20%. All of my problems came from lots of bang-bang in the late 60's (military style). Anyway, the only brand I'll buy is Starkey!