It does get frustrating not being able to hear all of a conversation, and it is equally frustrating not being heard. I had a hearing aid for my bad ear and it did absolutely no good, but that is because I have lost so much hearing ability in that ear. A hearing aid can not replace what has been damaged, it can only amplify what is there.
My Dr does want me to get a hearing aid for my good ear (which has diminished hearing from bilateral Meniere's) but we are waiting until we get the vertigo under better control. I am hopeful that this will help down the road. There is a technology called a crossover that we are looking at. The bad ear has a type of hearing aid that works as a transmitter (I think that's the right term) and sends what ever sound it picks up over to the hearing aid in the good ear. This is supposed to help give a clearer and more balanced hearing experience. The audiologist is very excited about how this technology has been improved in the last year or so.
The issue of course with any of the hearing aids is cost and very few insurances cover hearing aids. I know mine doesn't. I am glad to hear that the VA will cover yours if you choose to try it again.
I think you need to talk with your Dr and audiologist about how much hearing you have lost and what clarity hearing remains, as that is what really helps determine if a hearing aid will work for you or not.
Otherwise, people at your work need to know that hearing is an issue for you, and if they want to have effective communication on the job, then they will have to accept that you will be saying "what" or asking them to repeat or clarify. If they can't handle that, then there is something wrong with them.
Hang in there and don't let the frustration take you down.

I am cose to deaf in one ear and about half hearing in the other. I wear an aid and yes it does help some. Mostly I have to be about three feet from who i'm talking to and looking at their face to catch all that is said. the cross over aids aren't worth the material they are made with. I tried them two different times. Did not make any difference in my hearing. Yes it is frustrating saying pardon a lot, but we didn't choose to be this way. Hang in there

Im so glad you asked this question! Ive finally gotten one-both my ears are equally bad. Ive lost mainly low frequency ability so can function quite fine when people with high pitched voices speak! But the moment its a deep voice (usually men, including my husband!) I am totally lost! I have not found the hearing aid much use-my audiologist (and family and friends) say its because I havent given it a fair shot! Ive been trialling various h/aids since 2005!!!! Ive never been happy, and the weird thing is; it aggravates my ear pressure as well as makes me feel a little queezy. I really dont know why. So, Ive spent a small fortune on it but its laying in my drawer somewhere! :-(

WHen I had haering another hearing test earlier this summer (in July)
they said I was a canidate for an hearing aid. I decided against it because my hearing seems to vary day to day and didn't want the travel the hour to have it adjusted all the time.

It is most uncomfortable having to ask a person to repeat themselves (especially more than once). There were several persons at my job that I just absolutely could not make out a word they said....two of them were upper management. I would try to avoid contact with them or have an anxiety attack when I knew I had to interact with them. I had to actually report a coworker for making rude comments about my hearing impairment on several occasions...of course nothing was done about it...but I was definitely shunned and made to feel inadequate until the day I quit.

I would love to try hearing aids, but my insurance coverage is very undesirable....but most insurances are when it comes to hearing. You'd think since hearing is one of our main senses...it would be considered of high importance...but sadly the general idea it that you can still physically function without hearing. You didn't mention how long ago you tried hearing aids, but technology is ever changing. Maybe now there is one available that is better suited to your needs...and for free, you can't beat that.

I have MD in both ears. My right ear is close to completely deaf, with my left ear not far behind. My eldest son recently asked if it would be a good idea for him to take a sign language class. I said " well you can...but I won't be able to understand you". We both got a laugh out of that. It did cause me to consider taking the class myself. It is cheaper than hearing aids and complete hearing loss is inevitable for me.

Nancy213- I too find when I look at faces and lips it helps me to hear better..which is weird because I'm not a lip reader.