Wellness

[SXMGirl]

After a serious head injury that caused my retirement, I am finally at the point where I am going to get hearing aids.  I had a hearing test at a specialist who is considered the best in our area.  I then went to Costco and had a more thorough test.  There is 4K difference in the same hearing aid, with Costco being considerably lower in price.  Costco has an excellent warranty, so I am giving serious consideration to going with them.

I am looking to hear from those who have purchased their hearing aids from Costco and I want to know their experiences, both positive and not-so-positive.  TIA.

[chlema]

@SXMGirl I bought my Costco hearing aids about 2 years ago and I have absolutely no complaint.  They were $1,600 for the pair, their brand (they do sell other brands) because that was what I could afford.  I was so amazed when they put them in my ears - I actually heard the wheels of the shopping carts lol, and best of all I can now participate in conversations that I could not hear before my aids.  I've seen some on these forums poo-poo them because how can they be as good as the 4K ones.  Well, they work for me.  My only expense is buying the batteries, a card of 48 for $8.98 - I change them once a week.  I believe that they told me that I could hear only 32% in one ear, slightly more in the other and now - wow.

[Meowingkitty]

I don't have them myself but I have 2 friends who have had them for about 2 years and they are very happy with them. If I was in need of hearing aids I would definitely go to Costco. I think they paid under $2000. They got the rechargeable ones that don't require batteries. Before they got hearing aids they would turn the TV volume up to the 70's, after hearing aids its in the teens to low 20's depending on the program.

[chlema]

@Meowingkitty I wonder how long it takes to charge them?  What if you needed them while they were being recharged?  I was surprised too that I no longer needed to turn the tv volume up to 35 and now it's at a 13!  As with your friends, it was a good buy for me.

[SXMGirl]

I need to turn the tv up louder than that and I have cc on.  I was told that they are charged overnight, every night.  Also, the batteries, if purchased at Costco, cost about $20 per year.

[violann]

@SXMGirl - Do you have a prescription? If so, you can probably shop anywhere you want, for best price.

Good question!

[SXMGirl]

@violann  Every place does their own hearing test.  I do not think, looking at prices online, that I can do better than Costco.  I am more concerned about service.  The hearing aid that I am looking at is considered the best, both places recommended it for me, so it just makes sense to go with a lower price if the service is typical Costco service.

[Love my grandkids]

I've had my Costco hearing aids for years and love them and the great service I get there!

[granddi]

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@violann wrote:

@SXMGirl - Do you have a prescription? If so, you can probably shop anywhere you want, for best price.

Good question!

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Sorry for the dumb question.

Do hearing aids have an actual written Rx?

Does anyone go for hearing test and not get aids?

[JeanLouiseFinch]

When looking only at the price of the aids, Costco is appealing. However, they only have techs who do a hearing test and make recommendations accordingly. They are not trained as audiologists and cannot make diagnoses like one. There is more to hearing assistance than volume.