My insurance gave me the finger, compensation board told me it was my own fault and gave me the finger. So I scrounged what I could borrowed the rest 1 1/2 years paid off. Upkeep is minimal, next big cost in 5 years is new battery around $500. But saving up for that day.
In Ontario we have ADP (Assistive Devices Program) They covered 1000 bucks for the hearing aids so cost me 3500 for the pair and I claimed that on my taxes.
That ringing in your ears is called Tinnitus and usually when you get hearing aids that will go away until you take them out.
The medical association has said bad hearing can lead to Dementia so they encourage people to get hearing aids if needed to lesson your risk.