Yep.  Currently in the process with my Mother.  She saw an add for a company that specializes in hearing aids.  Went to a free introductory dinner.  That business offers: free lifetime batteries, free this, free that, free.......

Finally, my "alert alarm" went off.  I said we are looking elsewhere.  We went back to the audiolist at her ENT doctor's office.  Purchased Oticon Vigo Plus.  I think we saved about $1500 for the pair, compared to the company listed above.

I also looked on the internet, and I found a couple of websites - this one in particular:

http://www.aidright.com/researching_hearing_aids.html

Take a look at the Oticon Vigo Plus.  (mid-level group).  They have listed a "retail price" and a "our price".  At our ENT doctor's office, we are paying slightly LESS than the "our price" on this page.  Yeah,  she is going to have to buy her own batteries. 

It pays to look around.  Shop, shop, shop......