Hearing Aids...$6000!!?

I have an elderly friend that has recently been offered a hearing aid that costs $6,000! I was like, unreal! Ok, so this is it...it seems she has a special condition with her ears, not sure of all the details yet, but her doctor referred her to someone and has let her try out the new hearing aid, and said she has one week and then has to return it. My question is...
Can anyone tell me of some hearing aids that anyone in your family is familiar with and which ones are the best?

I usually do my own research, but have become quite busy here lately. I really appreciate any and all feedback about the costs and effectiveness of hearing aids. I really would like to find one that she can afford and be effective for her to hear what she is missing out on.

Thanks a million for your help!

$6,000 is way to high. Hearing aids work differently depending on the electronics used. The two main types of electronics are analog and digital.

Analog aids convert sound waves into electrical signals, which are amplified. Analog/adjustable hearing aids are custom built to meet the needs of each user. The aid is programmed by the manufacturer according to the specifications recommended by your audiologist. Analog/programmable hearing aids have more than one program or setting. An audiologist can program the aid using a computer, and the user can change the program for different listening environments鈥攆rom a small, quiet room to a crowded restaurant to large, open areas, such as a theater or stadium. Analog/programmable circuitry can be used in all types of hearing aids. Analog aids usually are less expensive than digital aids.

Digital aids convert sound waves into numerical codes, similar to the binary code of a computer, before amplifying them. Because the code also includes information about a sound鈥檚 pitch or loudness, the aid can be specially programmed to amplify some frequencies more than others. Digital circuitry gives an audiologist more flexibility in adjusting the aid to a user鈥檚 needs and to certain listening environments. These aids also can be programmed to focus on sounds coming from a specific direction. Digital circuitry can be used in all types of hearing aids.