@ThinkingOutLoud wrote:
I have an appt with an audiologist this week but want to go in with some knowledge.
Insurance will cover the testing but not any for the hearing aids.
Costco sells some for $1500.
Amazon has much cheaper ones.
What's the difference between the costly and the affordable?
Can you return the amazon ones if you're not happy with them?
Anyone have experience or info to share?
tia!
@ThinkingOutLoud - I'm sure there will be others who will disagree with me but PLEASE don't go cheap and don't rely on a hearing aid tech or salesman. You get what you pay for. My hearing aids are all on me too, and it's a hard swallow whenever I have to upgrade. When I first needed aids I saw an audiologist right off the bat, the same one I still see. He's always made the right recommendation of equipment and proper settings for my situation. I can get into see him as needed if I need a minor repair or adjustment.
A couple of years ago it was time to upgrade. Being mindful of our eventual change in income, I expected that Costco aids would be a given since they are more affordable. Testing the waters, I thought I'd make an appointment and get a pair. Having been through years of professional evaluation, treatment, etc., my experience at Costco was sub par. These techs just don't have the knowledge that's needed for proper hearing diagnosis. Hearing aids are much more than amplifiers. The tech could not properly fit me, but I was just supposed to get used to the best she could do. In our Costco, the HA dept is on the opposite end of the warehouse from the doors. The day I picked them up, I knew I hated them by the time I was walking out of the warehouse. I tried to be positive and like them but I ended up crying the whole ride home. When I saw my audiologist the following week, I confessed. He explained about Costco technician's limitations and he also shared that Costco aids are a couple years behind in technology. That's why they're so cheap. My audiologist is not only in private practice, he's also a professor and does many speaking engagements in the field. So I trust him implicitly. DH and I are blessed that we can afford my aids from the audiologist. It is a priority. My hearing is too important for me to just get by as cheaply as possible. Are Costco aids better than nothing? Sure. Are they the best choice? I don't think so.
Next, let's talk about Amazon. Our son also has a hearing impairment. He doesn't have a lot of extra resources so he thought he'd try Amazon. Those aids were cheap, didn't work great, and broke within a short time. Yep, money down the drain. He ended up getting an appointment with my audiologist and we gifted him a pair of high quality current technology aids last year. He's been so happy with them, able to communicate better at work and at home. My sister sees the same audiologist too, BTW.
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