I have to disagree hearing aids have come a long ways just in the last 10 years that I have been wearing aids. The hardware has greatly improved, and now software is improving greatly also. And there is now a size and type of hearing aids for almost ever possibility. The issues I see is this, we as human beings want something man made that can do what nature has taken many many years to develop. I am sorry to say but that is going to take a long time to happen. There is a real possibility that stem cell research may be able to re-grow out hairs in our ears to help some out way after my life time. But try as we do hearing aids will never replace our hearing but they have come a long way in helping us hear.
The other issues I have seen is that most humans want to put on the aids and hear perfectly the first time. As I have learned over the last 10 years it takes time for our brains to adjust to the sounds that aids give us, and yes there is still some issues with the ways that aids are fitted. I am using the ITC aids now and before I was using BTE rite aids. The main reason is that my hearing is now severe in my right ear and almost severe in the left. I also like the comfort of ITE/INC aids, I guess that is mostly due to the fact that I am outside a lot and I wear hats, and the BTE aids feed back too much with a hat on. But here in Texas you need the hat to protect you from the sun.
OK with that said I also believe that you should go with what works for you and not what anyone else is using or telling you you have to use. Hearing aids are very personal, and if you have a great Audi they can be your best friend, but if you get one that is just there to earn a pay check you will not always get the fitting you really deserve.