Thank you for all your excellent replies, keep them coming!!
I did complain to our HR Benefits department though upon hindsight I realize I will probably get in trouble for doing so.
I can do without a new HA for awhile but it looks like I should try to find a weekend job to accumulate $$$$ to pay for the next HA, which will be expensive no matter where I buy it.
I used to be a Costco member but it would still cost a few thousand dollars anyway.
Thank you, Tom