@arrowshooter@tonyinmi etc. The information in this thread has been really interesting and helpful to me as someone who is looking for an audiologist and will be getting a hearing aid for the first time in the spring or summer. I'll read it and the links more closely. I hope I understood one of the comments that seemed particularly valuable that was totally new to me, i.e. don't rely on hearing aids alone to achieve your objectives but on the addition of accessories geared to match the hearing aids with particular situations we find ourselves in as well. I know word of mouth is probably the best way to find a good audiologist, and I've contacted the Hard of Hearing Organization in Pittsburgh Julie recommended to try to find some members out my way who might be willing to advise me. Since I'm starting scratch, I need to know what questions to ask an audiologist to tell if he/she is good. The big medical center in Pittsburgh dealing with my unusual lung problem has a hearing center with audiologists that fit and sell hearing aids. Would it be better to go there than to a local audiologist in a nearby town? I guess I'm leaning that way just because I'm new to this area and don't have many contacts to get recommendations from. I've read some reviews of big companies and chains that sell hearing aids and was amazed Costco rated number one from customer satisfaction. They didn't have Phonak listed as a brand they carry though. One blessing from the pandemic is having time to research things carefully. Thanks for all I'm learning from you! Nancy

@arrowshooter @tonyinmi re: Selecting an Audiologist from Dr Cliff https://drcliffaud.com/providers Because he is so dismayed hard of hearing people are going to audiologists who don't practice best methods, he is establishing a network of audiologists around the country who commit to doing so. A directory to search for them is in this video, as is a tab connecting to a two page summary of "best practices". I'm usually pretty wary of cozy arrangements like this. As I understand it, audiologists pay Dr. Cliff to be part of his network, and the money goes to his producing more informative videos. He defines best practices, audiologists agree to follow them, and he then scrutinizes the way the audiologists administer them when they become part of his network. His reputation is really on the line; and I guess I have more faith in him because of his commitment to getting good care for people than I have in glossy ads in magazines or ads on tv and in the yellow pages. I looked up an audiologist in his network in Pittsburgh, and her credentials are excellent. In fact she worked for four years in the audiology/hearing aid department in the major medical center where I was planning to go. I think I have an audiologist and will be visiting her this summer, along with dropping by Costco. I emailed Mayo Clinic and asked them to send me results for all my hearing tests, since my copies must have gotten lost in the move. I'm really liking Dr. Cliff's other videos and learning more every time I watch one. Thanks Tony for helping me find an audiologist and good information through your link to Dr Cliff. Nancy

PS I misspoke about something in a previous post and would like to correct that, ie there is NO blessing to this virus. I try to find the good in even the worst situations and must admit I have appreciated having time to take Great Courses, watch travel videos of places on my bucket gift I won't be getting to, read, and pursue other interests while I've stayed home. This pandemic and the deaths and suffering it is causing is horrendous....