Hello...reading through all of your difficulties with hearing aids, batteries and selection of what type of aids to get for you particular hearing loss, I am surprised that you all didn't shop around for what you needed before purchasing. Like your car/truck which are very expensive these days...they need to be maintained in order to drive you around safely. You hearing aids work the same way. Your audiologist/hearing aid specialist is the "car dealership" that you choose and they are the ones who are supposed to help you decide based on your 1) hearing tests results and 2) life styles resulting in what type of tools - aid/CI you will need to benefit your life with. These computers in your ears are specifically manufactured for each of your ears. NOT for anyone else. Just for you. The high cost is reflective of that and also includes the warranty life of these aids...often up to three years (manufacturers). This also includes the audiologist's time to see you whenever you need help with the aids - at no cost to you. In the beginning weeks - you are allowed to wear and use them for the trial period to make sure they work for you. Asking questions, understanding how to use them and what is included in the 'hardware' is just like what we ask when looking at any type of expensive device/car/electronics etc. We can't expect anything to work on it's own unless we learn how to use it for our advantage.
One of best ways to learn is joining a group like this, as well as joining support groups where you can talk face-to-face with others who share the same questions and can learn about these devices, shortcuts and tidbits of the day. I am part of HLAA and share my knowledge with other members/guests at the monthly meetings. Our show/tell times have been helpful over the years because it has puts a reality to the test. I learned that if I want my batteries to work longer for me, all I have to do is, take them out of the dispenser, take the little tab off and count off two to three minutes for the battery to prep itself for working. The tab seals the battery and by taking the seal off - I am allowing the battery to prime itself for use. Once those minutes are over, then I can pop them into my hearing aids and they are good for the week. My Resound Hearing aids program are found on my iPhone 7+ and I get plenty of wear out of the batteries. Each night the hearings aids go into my cleaner so that everything is ready for me in the morning.

Consult with your hearing aid specialist/audiologist always. Use them to learn about your devices so that you are the expect. Tell them about your complaints so that they can tell the manufacturers what YOU don't like about their product. They are the middle man to these companies. These manufacturers make these devices based on what we like and don't like about their products. If enough of us squeal about a device or say that we want something - especially when their representatives come to conferences, expos or conventions - we all have the chance to tell them what our thoughts are about their products. If not - then it needs to go to whom we are dealing with on a every 6 month basis. Be proactive with your hearing...You need to speak up and help make this a world that listens to us now.