Hearing aids for audiophiles?

I appreciate the responses here, and also hope for better in the future. Having said that, about 13 years ago, I bought a set that I ended up abandoning. They were the latest thing (Starky 'hearing stick' model) with the digital circuitry and all. $4,500... no go. Last month, I spent  $6,400 on the Widex top of the line, and even though I am not having the best results so far, I am convinced that they can do better with the applied app for music. It is a trial and error situation, and let's face it, the manufacturer is trending towards speech not music. There may be a work around to some degree, but it takes more than this to fool the auditory system that we were born with.

I have tried several brands in the last 7 years... prefer top end Oticon for general purposes. However, even wide open with no compression they suck for high end audio enjoyment . Take them off and get an equalizer  ( Loki in my case) and adjust for your deficit accordingly. If you don’t mind the negative effects when you listen with them on then great!!! I wish I could say that...

Similar thread on AVSforum.  Consensus there was don't go cheap.  I got top of the line Phonak about 6 months ago and have been very pleased.  They are not perfect, but generally exceed my expectations.  Sound quality and all the subtleties of great recordings are right where they need to be in my theater room.  As others said, clue in your audiologist.

I know this thread has been idle for a bit but wanted to add some information. Like many, I have known for a period of time that my hearing was impacted on poor choices from my younger years. And of late have been having a harder and harder time enjoying music and daily encounters with others and even watching the tv. I recently received my first pair of hearing aids, The Phonak Audeo M90. At first it was a bit overwhelming as what I was thinking was static or excess feedback was just my ears not used to upper frequencies. After a few days of use I finally wanted to listen to music. I was prepared for a major let down but to my surprise it has been enjoyable. I am hearing things I have not for years and as a previous post had mentioned if you keep the volume down on the aids it seems to work best. 
Hope this helps. Cheers

Hi, 
I new to posting here but have purchased from Audigon in the past as well as recently.  I am currently 'demoing' Oticon vs Widex to see which I prefer.  I have severe tinnitus, sounds like white noise with a high frequency all the time, it only varies in volume.  I've had this for years.  At some point I stopped listening to music, which I love, because it wasn't enjoyable.  Sold all my 2 channel gear.  Decided I would just stick with HT for movie watching.  When I decided to get tested, I was shocked at the results.  I hear low volume fine, at about 10db.  It continues to decline sharply at 1K and goes straight to 90db at 8k.  This is profound hearing loss, exactly the same in both ears.  I grew up in NE swimming and diving in very cold water...this may have something to do with it. 
This is what I've found so far and it's only been a few days.  First, my gear is not audiophile level so be clear and I don't pretend it is.  However when I put my Original Master (purchased many years ago) of Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon, I was in shock.  Understand it's just a Rega turntable played through a Marantz SR6013 to G.E. Triton 5's with a JL Dominion d-108 but for me it was a wonderful experience.  What we used to call headroom, lowest lows to highest highs was opened up for me again.  There was sound staging that I hadn't heard ever on this setup.  I still have a California Audio CD player that I purchased here and have had extensive work done to it so that it's like new thinking it would improve the sound.  It didn't but it was because of my hearing.  So I also played Holly Cole - I can see clearly now - WOW, just beautiful.
For me the hearing aids have opened everything up for me.  Does it mean I will go back to try getting the perfect sound.  Well, I'm retired now so budgets and other expenses will most likely prevent it but a little upgrade here and there may be available to me through the pre-owned path.