Yes, I agree that having a well educated hearing healthcare professional, usually a clinical audiologist with AuD after their name, is the right place to go for testing, and for fitting. Audiologists are recognized as 'the gold standard' by The Hearing Loss Assn. of America (HLAA). However, HLAA also recognizes that many people cannot afford the expense of hearing aids.

At the very least, get testing done by an AuD. Request a copy of your audiogram/testing so you have it if you choose to go elsewhere for fitting.

I am cautious about buying hearing aids from big box providers or via mail per TV advertisements. But, I know several hard of hearing people who have been happy with that type of purchase. One size does not fit all. Much depends on the severity and type of the hearing loss.

Regardless of where you purchase hearing instruments, it is important to understand the trial period that is given to you by the 'fitter', whether it's an AuD audiologist or someone else. That time allotment is extremely important, and it is written in 'ink' in most cases. If you decide to return hearing aids a day later than that trial period allows you are likely out of luck whether the product cost hundreds of dollars or thousands of dollars. Use the trial period in every possible situation so you know if those hearing aids are working well for you. If, after a few weeks of use they are not, take them back for adjustments AND ASK FOR AN EXTENDED TRIAL PERIOD.

Most providers will give you 30 days. A few will allow 60. However, Costco allows 180 days or 6 months. This is a huge difference. It is one that I hope the AuD professionals in the field will consider. Far too many people who buy hearing aids get frustrated with them at first and take them off. Everything sounds different. Everything sounds louder. It takes time for the brain to adjust to this new method of hearing. That 30 day standard might not be long enough. Further advice: WEAR THEM. Don't put them in the dresser drawer. You will get used to them in time.

Many of us have frustrations with technology. Think about your cell phone. Upgrade and you have a whole bunch of new things to learn. It's hard, especially for we seniors who were not brought up with all this tech stuff! Hearing aids are like that too. They have 'bells and whistles' in them that can be confusing. It takes time for the provider to teach us how to use them. Time is $, so it is not always doled out the way we need it to be. You have to be proactive in insisting that you are taught how best to use those new hearing instruments.

A couple things I always recommend: 1. Insist on manual volume controls. While it sounds kind of cool to have automatic volume controls, it's not so cool when you're in a noisy setting and cannot turn them down....or up if the need arises. 2. Insist that any hearing aids you buy include built in telecoils, not just Bluetooth. Those telecoils can connect you to many things that BT cannot. BUT, if the provider/fitter doesn't show you how to use them, they are often left out. They do not add cost to a hearing aid. They add considerable value. BT is great too, but is there for streaming, not 'connecting' BT adds considerable cost to hearing aids.

The Americans with Disabilities Act mandates 'communication access' in public venues. Telecoils are what connects you to that access. BT will stream from your TV or from your cell phone, but it will not connect you to the public address system at performing arts centers or other venues where you have to know what's coming through a PA system to be able to participate.

Educate yourself before you buy hearing aids. HLAA has lots of educational materials on their website. http://www.hearingloss.org It pays to take time to learn.

When we don't know what our hearing aids are capable of, our strategy often includes avoidance of situations where we don't hear like we used to.

Do you ever avoid going to social events, plays, movies, etc. because you don't hear well?

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