These all seem to be things that you should have checked out beforehand with Costco or wherever you made your purchase. Especially owning an Android device. Most of the major HA OEMs, including ReSound, made their recent model HAs (since 2014) principally as iOS (MFI) devices. That had a big effect on HA wearer phone ownership. Back in 2018 when I got ReSound Quattros, something like 75% of HA wearers were iPhone users because of the benefits of MFI. Only then, with the Marvels, IIRC, did Phonak join the BT party with its special form of “improved” classic BT. If you want classic BT connections, your only choice is Phonak or an intermediary bridge device, such as you point out for the TV streamer.
Sounds like you have a bad case of Negativity Bias, focusing on the negatives to such a degree you can’t see any positives.
Breaking the Negativity Chain | Psychology Today
If you want classic BT connectivity without buying any accessories, Phonak is your only option and will cost you a lot more than the things you complain about having to buy to upgrade your experience.
I switched from Android to iPhone to be able to use an Apple Watch for health and fitness monitoring. I can run the ReSound Smart 3D app on my Apple Watch and have almost all the control features available in the app on my iPhone (you do have to be within BT range of your iPhone for the app to work on the watch).
Phonak Infinio Sphere is brand-new, will probably be outrageously expensive (reduced price through truhearing.com???), but in my limited understanding, the Sphere offers both classic BT connectivity and BT LE Audio capability and if the PR holds up, could be head and shoulders above other HAs currently on the market. Don’t hold your breath for a Costco version, though…
The Audeo Spheres are available from truhearing.com. Here is the answer from an online chat:
Hello, we do not sell Phonak online. You would need to see a provider first, then we would assist with purchasing the hearing aids with your insurance. They are $2250/per aid without insurance.