@comeagain and others...
It is important to understand that hearing loss varies greatly among individuals. There is no one 'best' brand for everyone. It's important to understand that providers vary. Some have served apprenticeships and may or may not have college degrees. Some have master's degrees and some have gone further at the university level to achieve an AuD degree, which is akin to a doctorate level degree in other fields. Those people have AuD behind their name. Others may have MS CCCA. (certified clinical consultant/audiology) If they have HIS there, they are considered 'hearing instrument specialists'. The HIS may or may not have college education. All of them are 'licensed' based on the state where they practice.

So how confusing is that? Some providers/fitters at each level concentrate on selling one specific brand of hearing instrument. Others may sell a variety of brands.

It is important for adults who need hearing help to understand that in most instances, it is their responsibility to ask questions and learn all they can before they buy a product. Sadly, that's not the common procedure.

I encourage people who have decided to get hearing help to talk to other people who use hearing aids. FInd out whom they trust as providers. It's preferable to go to a doctorate level audiologist to be tested if there is one in your area. AuDs have the education needed to diagnose potential issues that may require medical intervention. That's rare, but it always a possibility, especially with sudden onset hearing loss.

Once you learn why you have hearing loss and are tested by a professional, ask for a copy of your test results. If they want to fit you with hearing aids, that is up to you to decide. Be sure you understand their return policy timeline. Try those HAs in every possible situation where you want to hear better. If you find the HAs are not helping, return them. That provider may offer to fit you with something different and allow you an extended trial period. Policies vary. If you're not getting help from the provider or the product return them and take the copy of your testing (audiogram) and shop elsewhere.

A reality about hearing instruments is that most quality brands are similar. The skill and patience of the person fitting them is huge. It doesn't matter how much education a provider has if they won't take the time needed to fit the aids properly AND instruct the buyer on how to use them. That includes understanding options that some HAs have that others don't.

Those options can make a big difference in how well you are able to hear in places like worship centers, performing arts centers, meeting rooms, and in social settings. That generally means your hearing aids should have options that connect with installed hearing assistive technology such as hearing loops, FM systems, and infrared systems. Those systems require telecoils and Auracast (a new technology that is coming but not available yet. ASK YOUR PROVIDER TO INCLUDE BOTH OF THESE OPTIONS IN ANY HEARING AIDS YOU PURCHASE NOW> The goal with these options is to filter out background noise and allow the desired sound to come directly to your personal HAs. Auracast will likely be here during the life span of hearing aids you buy today. (Disclosure: My personal hearing technology has both options installed. No locations in my area have Auracast yet. Many have hearing loops that work with telecoils. It makes a positive difference!

In many instances, the broadcasting technology needed to use these assistive technologies may not be installed. WHY? Because it takes advocacy and education to let those places know you want to hear and have a right to hear. Why don't people do that advocacy? Because hearing loss is 'invisible' and the general attitude about it is to hide it and not be open about it. To advocate successfully you have to be open about what you need.

We who have hearing loss have created many stigmatic problems ourselves. We are not all OLD and over the hill. We are not stupid or absent minded. We should not be ashamed to have hearing loss. It's good to have a forum like MCC to blast those stigmas and move forward.

I highly recommend connecting with The Hearing Loss Association of America via their website, and chapters that are in various locations in the USA. Start a chapter if there isn't one near you. Coming together with other people who have hearing loss validates feelings, fears and frustrations. It helps erase the stigmas. It educates. That education leads to the advocacy needed to live WELL with hearing loss.

Yes, like all other non profit organizations HLAA Is going to suggest a donation. It's a good organization to support, but you do not have to do that to get the information they share. http://www.hearingloss.org