Hearing aid advice

My first hearing aids were purchased through our health care clinic about 4 years ago. The audiologist didn't appear to be that knowledgeable. I got Phonak behind-the-ear Q50, mid-range price. The small speaker that goes into the ear had to be replaced 3 times on each side due to wire breakage (and I'm not rough on them), about $40 a pop each (from eBay of all places, cheaper than buying from specialist ($125) and easy to replace).

I then went to an independent audiologist beginning of this year who seemed to know more than the first guy I saw, and performed more in-depth testing. She recommended a higher quality brand, Oticon OPN3 (still behind-the-ear). I've had them a couple months now. They seem to be better build quality than the Phonaks and are rechargeable (but can still accept std battery), which I prefer to the weekly battery changes. I also purchased a box to hook to the TV to pipe the sound directly into my hearing aids via bluetooth. I don't watch much but the times I do, it is quite nice, and the range is at least 40'.

Health insurance covered $2000 four years ago, and my part was $2600 for the Phonaks. Health insurance covered $2500 this year, and my part was $3000 for the Oticons. I could have kept the Phonaks but just decided it was time to upgrade. The Phonaks whistled (feedback) at times when the aid was close to something (resting my head on a pillow, car seat headrest, hoodie over my head), whereas the Oticons never do. My advice to the OP is to get the best you can afford.

Interesting tidbit, when I got my first hearing aids and put them on at the doc's, I immediately noticed the quartz clock ticking away behind me on the wall. Before hearing aids, I couldn't hear it.