@stephenmcelroy Thanks for all that info - I don't have the details down yet, and may not have the patience to apply as thoroughly as you have, but I'm all for making my expensive high-tech hearing aids work for my individual hearing. I've been wondering how to communicate to the audiologist where my problems are. And I've been meaning to look for an online test that would help me pinpoint what I'm missing.
It is surprising to me that the audiologists don't routinely test to see what is actually getting through. Also, I think that the normal testing is kind of a blunt instrument, and that I may have some odd random hair cells(or whatever) that just don't work.
That idea of using different programs is a good idea although I think my aids only have 2 extras. Your summary of the different hearing environments is handy too -maybe I should be more methodical in checking each environment. I can never tell in the audiologists office whether my HAs will work in other environments. You've given me lots to ponder and work on . . .thanks again!