From my experience, as well as talking with other hearing assisted friends, if you can afford it at this time, my suggestion is to go to a university-affiliated audiologist. I did this for my first hearing aid and found their expertise to be very helpful. By way of comparison, I went to a Costco and did get a comparable hearing; but, while I found it half the price, missed the experience in finetuning the hearing aids.

From talking with others who went to places like Miracle Ear, they weren't happy and some described it as you suggested, i.e., a sales pitch.

I would check out what financial assistance is available from your state for a child.

Peg in Pennsylvania