"Select subtle over glitz. Select a technology that is assistive to the recipient without calling attention to them. "People with disabilities typically do not want to use something that makes them stick out too or be different from others," York said. "If the gift technology stands out too much they may not embrace it even if they do need it." "

There is an increasing trend for building hearing "assistance" into things which look like "everyday objects" and give "discretion" and such like. When I am having a conversation with someone would I rather they:

A: Thought I was really rude because I didn't take off my bluetooth headset while talking to them and was so distracted by it I hardly listened to or understood a word of what they said to me or

B: Thought I was wearing a hearing aid and had reached up to make adjustments to hear them more clearly.

I want a hearing aid that is big, bright, and right freakin' in their faces, perhaps that way I get a chance to hear something.