You're doing a good job seeking information in advance. I strongly recommend you see if there is a chapter of The Hearing Loss Assn. of America (HLAA) in your region of New York state. There is a terrific chapter in Rochester, and another in NYC. I'm sure there are other chapters in other areas, but I know people from the two that I mentioned. Check out HLAA at: http://www.hearingloss.org You'll find a ton of info on the website.