Please be aware of the differences among hearing professionals. Most people you see selling hearing aids are not audiologists and may or may not be a trained hearing aid specialist. Anyone can do a hearing test with minimal training. An audiologist has specialized college training and look for one who has earned an advanced degree as a doctor of audiology. An ENT is a medical doctor specializing in ear, nose and throat conditions. You have every right to ask to see credentials. While choosing which hearing aids to purchase, I encountered many that were so shady that I would trust a used car salesman more.

I will repeat my statement from above. Mapping hearing loss and programming a hearing aid in almost all cases is now a computer driven process. A savvy technician is at least as skilled in this narrow endeavor as any MD or audiologist.

A person with an unusual hearing loss/condition (such as bone conduction loss) should see a MD or good audiologist.

I have high frequency loss and I got Phonak HA and am very satisfied. I believe the key is to get a good audiologist that does a good job adjusting them where everything sounds natural. Find an audiologist that conducts real ear measurements.

Costco, hands down. If you have the funds, buy the most current model/technology.

I don't doubt you but that's a long drive and what about adjustments on your hearing ads?
Is it really with it?

Go to see a doctor of Audiology for the initial exam then shop around for aids. My wife has had hearing problems for much of her life and tried the old style hearing aids without success.
She went to see Paige Holt at Lake ENT to try out digital hearing aids 10 years ago and got high end digital aids. Before her aids she couldn't hear birds sing or engage in a conversation when there was background noise.
She can't say enough good things about Doctor Paige Holt, AuD (352) 561-3315.

Angelo Darby at Rennasance Hearing in Wildwood Plaza for personal service and fair pricing.

I bought at Costco up North. You can go to any Costco with a hearing center to get them cleaned or adjusted. I have yet to need them adjusted. The free cleanings come in handy. I currently use the Westley Chapel/ Lutz location about once a month for shopping and get them cleaned while I shop. Mine are two years old and have a phone app and bluetooth.

That's Doctor Tess Waldo, at The Villages Health, Santa Barbara Center. It's behind the Publix on 441 next to the hospital.