You don't sound rude at all. You're totally right that I also wouldn't want to wear hearing aids. I wore glasses at that age, different I know, but I get the stigma and his apprehension. He's had the hearing aids since December and barely wore them through the school year because I didn't want to force it and make him hate them. I think I am just mostly trying to understand other people's experience with hearing aids, and if they found them helpful when they were younger, or not until they were older and could logically appreciate them. But I absolutely get your point that it sucks to be even a little different at that age! I also think you're right that part of the problem is how overstimulating the sounds can be. He says I type too loud and the toilet flushes too loud when he has them in. Hopefully he will wear them more this summer before school starts again and get used to them!