Case in point: my dad and grandma. They both got the 'free' hearing aids (we live in Canada) and these supposedly really cost the government (or taxpayers) upwards of $2000 for each ear, and they SUCK. The alternative was to dish out $5000 per ear for a marginally better product. They both ended up not using them because it was such a hassle and it basically drove them nuts. They didn't fit very well and constantly amplified even the slightest noise, and basically did nothing in ways of helping their hearing at a normal conversation.
Recently though, they finally got a great hearing aid (forgot the name) and paid less than $500 (from their wallet) and it vastly outperforms any other hearing aid they've ever tried. I know they work because because they actually WEAR them now because they are NOT ALWAYS BUZZING and amplifying ambient noise and they are ADJUSTED PERFECTLY to hold onto their ears. That's disruption for ya ....