My name is Christine Ashley (I go by Eilidh). I’m 38 and currently disabled without benefits.

Recently, I almost hit someone because I didn’t hear their car horn. That was the moment this stopped being “inconvenient” and became a real safety issue.

My hearing test says I’m only moderately affected—but in real life, I’m missing important sounds and struggling to process speech. It’s impacting my memory, my ability to follow instructions, and my day-to-day independence.

I’m trying to get OTC hearing aids (Sennheiser All-Day Clear) that can help filter background noise and improve clarity. Insurance won’t cover them, especially with APD.

I’ve managed to save most of the cost, but I’m still $100 short.

If you can help—even a small amount—it would mean a lot. And if not, sharing this could genuinely make the difference. I don’t have a large social network, so every bit of visibility helps.