Hearing Aid

Well, the time is fast approaching. My hearing is getting really, really bad. I have that dreaded tinnitus plus hearing loss plus a 5 time ruptured left ear drum. People aren't writing me notes yet but they have to tap me on the shoulder and make sure I can see them when they talk to me. I don't hear anybody approaching on my left side. The TV blasts everbody out of the room. It's actually kinda funny. I can't hear hardly anything out of my left ear. My husband can't hear anything out of his right ear. When he's driving and I'm riding as a passenger we have to shout at each other in the car!!! It's really funny. So anyway. I've put this off way longer than I should have because I don't want to spend a ton of money for something that won't help. From my friends I hear that only digitals are any good and even those have their problems. The ear doctor and family doctor don't really give you anything to go on. Just hand you a referral to an audiologist. I want some info before I go and get sold something expensive that I wind up leaving in the jewelry box. Any advice?