I am curious if you have been reading Consumer Reports recommendations on hearing aids? Here is part of what they say:
“In modern digital aids, microphones transmit sound to a computer chip, which adjusts the volume and amplifies the sound frequencies needed to help improve your hearing. (Though analog aids are less common and less complex than digital aids, they do have advantages, including fewer advanced features. That can make them more user-friendly.)”
While I subscribe to Consumer Reports and use their information, I don’t really think that is good advice. The first issue is that analog hearing aids are going the way of the Dodo bird. I suspect the digital ones have now become cheaper to manufacture.
And, unless you are the fitter that is adjusting the hearing aid to the user’s need, the more advanced hearing aids are no more difficult to use. They can be set up to be just as simple as the older analog ones. And as for the aids without considering the features on a connected smart phone, they typically only have one button, or possibly a two position toggle switch. Not really high tech. However if the fitter sets up multiple programs in them, then it becomes a touch more complex to change programs with the button(s). That is where having a smartphone can be helpful. But, many don’t use programs anyway, and leave them in the single auto program.
And you mention that hearing in a noisy restaurant is an issue. That is a common problem and for hearing aids one of the most difficult ones to deal with. That is one case where it can be helpful to have a specific program set up for it. And it can be very helpful to have a sophisticated noise reduction and directional microphone capability. These are features in a higher end HA. They are something that the fitter sets up, not you. Having them does not make the hearing aid more complex to operate, other than you may want to have two programs; one the automatic universal one, and the other a noisy restaurant one.
The other thing you should be aware of is that Costco may release a newer Kirkland Signature 9.0 model this year. In the past they have been reducing the cost of a pair by $100 US with each new model release, while offering more features. Will that continue? Don’t know for sure, but based on past releases the new model may be available in Canada late this year. Typically they get released first in the US, and then a couple of months later in Canada. No news about them in the US yet, just speculation…
Hope that helps some.