Independent, local, and family owned.
Why should this matter?
Most facilities where you would obtain hearing aids are either high volume ENT medical centers treating other ear and balance ailments, or a smaller office dedicated to hearing aid fittings, but behind the scenes it is actually owned by a major hearing aid manufacturer. And if not owned by a manufacturer, often times there is some contractual obligation on the practice to fit a high percentage of one particular brand of hearing aid in return for lower cost of goods, or certain advertising assistance.
In any of these events, one may wonder if the best product was suited for the situation either because the setting was too fast pace to allow for comparison, or because options were never on the table to begin with.