I'm a hearing instrument specialist in Wisconsin and dispense hearing aids for a living. I just thought I would give you some insight and maybe someone else will get some benefit from this information as well.
Walker game ears are strictly amplifiers, they essentially amplify every sound in your environment equally. They work great in situations with only one sound like deer hunting or possibly watching TV. However, when you go somewhere that has multiple different origins of sounds like a meeting, church, restaurant, or even just a small group of people it often peoples too difficult to understand what is being said.
Hearing aids are different, they are a medical device that is programmed to the prescription of your hearing loss. They have the ability to amplify speech while at the same time suppress noise and other unwanted sounds. There is research out there that shows the longer people wait to get correction for their hearing, the worse their speech understanding becomes. Once your speech understanding declines, you will only be able to understand and hear at that level even with the most expensive hearing aids. Most places have a trial period once you purchase the hearing aids so if you aren't satisfied you can return them for 100% money back. Let the audiologist know what situations you need the hearing aids for and what your lifestyle is, that way they can more accurately fit you with a style and technology level that suits your needs.
My advice, don't wait. The sooner you do something about your hearing, the better the results will be in the future.
Hearing aids are not like glasses where you put them on and you see good, instantly. Hearing aids take time getting used to. I'm thinking 90 days is on the short end of 'getting accustomed to' time.
I am going to look into them also, too macho to wear hearing protection in the earlier days has taken its toll.
