Yes, the new digital hearing aids are so much better..as a child I remember my grandfather pulling out the speaking peace for us to talk into.

Bill opted for hearing aids last year amazingly not due to the cisplatin treatment (baseline tests proved that) but an earlier assault on his hearing (some sort of weird vascular issue.)

His aids are very small...programmable and adjustable depending on surrounding conditions like Brian mentioned, for instance, in a noisy restaurant when you just need to hear the people at the table with you and not the background. He just touches the little piece that hides at the back of his ear and it goes to the program he wants. Most people don't notice them.

Only problem with the new top of the line hearing aids is cost...they are terriby expensive ($5000 in our case.) It was a quality of life decision to get them (and quality of marriage!)
They are susceptible to moisture...don't recommend taking them into the shower as Bill has forgetfully done.

Deb