I am a middle-aged university professor with moderate hearing loss. I used to spend thousands of dollars on my Phonak BTE prescription hearing aids. Recently I tried the Chosgo SmartU Rechargeable OTC Hearing Aids. I was amazed at how simple they were to use. There were no apps to install, which many other hearing aids require, and they worked right out of the box.
The SmartU hearing aids do not require batteries, and they charge in a small slick black case using a USB Type C connector. The device came with multiple domes and will fit comfortably in any sized ear. With the right sized dome, you will notice little, if any, feedback.
These hearing aids are appropriate for every possible scenario, and they have six program modes. I have tested all the modes and have found the hearing aids to be very effective one on one, in the classroom, and in larger noisier settings. The modes include a general mode, a conference mode, a TV and Phone Mode, a restaurant mode, a street mode, and an outdoor mode.
All 6 program modes can be easily accessed by double tapping your ear. As you adjust between the modes, the device will announce what number mode you have reached. Furthermore, there are ten volume levels that can be adjusted by pressing the volume button on the device itself. Unfortunately, volume adjustment is slightly tedious because the device will only announce you whether you have reached the lowest or highest volume level.
The Chosgo SmartU Rechargeable OTC Hearing Aids fit completely in the canal and are practically invisible. They are far less noticeable than any BTE hearing aids. While the sound of these hearings aids is as clear as the best BTE devices, their small size comes with a disadvantage. There is no Bluetooth capability. Therefore, if you are commuting to work or exercising, and you wish to stream music, you will be required to use earbuds or a different pair of hearing aids. Fortunately, Chosgo does manufacture Bluetooth hearing aids, but they are shaped like air pods and are very visible. I have not yet tested their Bluetooth hearing aids so I cannot comment on their sound quality.
I strongly recommend that you first try the Chosgo SmartU Rechargeable OTC Hearing Aids before you invest in Phonak, Oticon or any of the other expensive brands. While I do wish they had Bluetooth connectivity, for me the Chosgo SmartU Rechargeable OTC Hearing Aids are every bit as effective as the major brands and come at a fraction of the cost.
Chosgo SmartU
https://chosgohearing.com/products/rechargeable-otc-hearing-aids-for-seniors-smartu-one-pair
OTC Hearing Aids
https://chosgohearing.com/collections/otc-hearing-aids