After a long career as a symphony trombonist and an equally long period as a recording engineer I finally realized that the high end of my hearing spectrum was less than optimal. Fortunately, I was a VET and was able to work with my VA audiology clinic to address the problem. Believe me, I was VERY reluctant to admit the problem but very glad that I did. My audiologist at the VA was one of the most cheerful persons I've ever had the pleasure of meeting ---- BUT ---- what really made me super comfortable with him was when I noticed that his tie tac was a miniature saxophone ! A fellow musician !! Surely, it turned out that he was a saxophonist and we connected immediately on what my major concerns were in regards to a musical outcome for my remediation. He delivered on every aspect of my concern. He chose "Oticon" devices [as "Timkeogh" mentioned] and made sure that if they didn't fulfill my requirements that I could return them and choose others if I wasn't satisfied with the result. Thusfar, they have far exceeded my expectations despite the fact that I HATE have anything in my ears. Earbuds are the most annoying devices I've ever experienced ! When my sax/audio-guy explained that your ears are not the part that is most required to adapt, but that your brain IS, it put me on a much more focused path towards accepting the adjustments required for a successful outcome. I realize that the 8K price of these devices might turn away a lot of folks, but if you are anywhere near being considered as an audiophile, the cost is about 1/2 the price of a good turntable, 1/4 the price of a good amplifier, 1/3 the price of a good set of earphones, 1/10 the price of a good set of interconnects, 1/20 the price of a ----------------------------
I dreaded listening for the first time to my Linkwitz Orion loudspeakers, expecting a shrill, mush-like simulation of what I knew them to be capable of producing. What happened ? It sounded the same as I remembered it many years previous ----- only Better !! I was incredulous !! The BIGgest surprise was when I finally had the nerve to play my trombone for the first time with my new "toys" in my ears. I was almost brought ti tears when I realized that there were myriads of nuances that I heard in my sound that influenced everything that I did from forming articulations to the quality of tone production. What a gift !!
I cannot proselytize for any specific brand or approach to improving our hearing deficiencies but I can definitely recommend addressing the problem. It can provide so much pleasure in our listening experiences,
I want to mention having seen individuals walking around the NYC Audio Show wearing leather "Hearing Muffs" ! They were the equivalent of "cupping" your ears without the inconvenience of having to actually "cup" your ears. They seemed to be very happy in their choice. I suppose if you only wore them at home -------- ?