[magnumpi]

Over the past few years I increasingly became sensitive to ear pain during flights. Not normal pain, like knife in the head pain. Worst of it during decent. Then last summer during flight to British Columbia experienced the worst pain in right ear. Lost all hearing on that side. Severe tinnitus. Met my brother at the airport and felt very dizzy and disoriented for a few hours. Fortunately he drive his car back home to Toronto. Haven't been on a plane since.
Saw a few Dr.s who cleaned out the gunk and prescribed some sort of antibiotics for middle ear infections, did nothing. Sent to ENT specialist who sends me for an mri and then a hearing test to confirm barotrauma to right ear aural nerve. No hope for recovery. Says he's seen this 2 other times in his career. Lucky me!
Does anyone have experience with hearing aids? I haven't been to see the salespeople but I'm sure they are ready for the upsell to the deluxe model. What should I be looking for? I'm thinking smaller is better = expensive.