Over the past 25 years, more journal articles, books, and conference proceedings probably have been published on the topic of hearing aids and hearing aid fitting than any other component of audiologic management. In North America alone, we now have three periodicals (two trade journals and one entire peer reviewed journal) devoted exclusively to hearing instrument related issues. Despite this impressive collection of published information and opinion, recent survey data on hearing aid fitting practices with children and adults (Hedley-Williams, Tharpe, & Bess, 1996; Martin, Champlin, & Chambers, 1998) suggest that hearing health care professionals in the United States agree on very little regarding most aspects of the hearing aid fitting process. No doubt, most practicing clinicians would agree that audiometric thresholds should be measured prior to fitting amplification. Beyond this, however, consensus among audiologists is difficult to find. A number of explanations (both strong and weak) can be developed for the current situation.