A: You should seek the advice of an audiologist, a professional who works with people who have hearing, balance, and related ear problems. Audiologists have at least a master’s degree in audiology and some have a clinical doctoral degree. They can fit patients with hearing aids and they often sell them as well.

Some “big-box stores” offer audiology services, too, often at a reduced cost.

Non-profit organizations that deal with hearing and vision issues also may be able to offer advice about purchasing hearing aids. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, the National Association of the Deaf, and the Starkey Hearing Foundation are among several established resources. So too is Washington Consumers Checkbook, which rates and ranks local hearing aid dispensers and which offers understandable information on how aids work. Checkbook is available in several local libraries.