I just picked my ReSound Linx hearing aids up today. Man what a geek rush I must say.
When I started looking for new hearing aids, I really wanted to have something that allowed direct integration with phones, microphones, etc. When I started seeing that most solutions required me to carry a new device in my pocket or around my neck, I really was turned off by the idea. Why? Because I already have a device in my pocket - my iPhone. Why do I need something else?
So yea I'm hooked on the idea. Still learning the ins and outs and how to work with it, but when my ears started ringing (from a call on the phone), and I chatted with my wife with it all coming out of the hearing aids, I was sold. I was also grinning
If you have an iPhone, do get the ReSound app for Linx. It has a demo mode that lets you play around with some of the things it can do. One of my favorite features is how the phone records the map coordinates of the last place it was when it connected with the hearing aids. So if you ever lose one, your phone can tell you precisely where it was when it last connected with them. As someone who lost a $2500 aid once, that's a feature worth a lot.
Some have mentioned cost as well as insurance not covering them. I totally agree and this is a big issue that companies need to address via their insurance policies, and employees need to raise with HR. Everyone understands that people need glasses to interact with the work environment effectively. When will HR understand that hearing aids are just glasses for your ears? Spendy ones yes, but ones that not very many people need.
If you have a job that provides insurance, and your HR doesn't provide coverage, go ask them why. Ask them how they can justify not supporting hearing aids, but can justify glasses. Ask them why they buy people glasses, and the answer will probably be, "Well people need to be able to see well to be a safe and contributing member of the work force!" Now ask them if that's not exactly the same reason people need hearing aids.