@JeanLouiseFinch wrote:
I have always endorsed seeing a professional audiologist for testing, diagnosing, and fitting the correct hearing aids for me for about the last 15 yrs. +/-. Aids do more than just amplify sound. My current aids are equipped to select the best experience in a variety of hearing situations by accessing specific programs within the aid, The bad thing is that hearing aids don't last forever. Over the years, I've been replacing them every 4.5-5 yrs. as my loss increases and technology improves. I'm currently hearing only 45% in one ear and 30% in the other, unaided. My current pair of aids cost $5,000/$5,200 4.5 yrs. ago. I was at my audiologist yesterday and he sees a big drop in my high frequency sounds and the current aids are at their limit, so unable to address that. He recommended replacing them, but the ones he wants me to get are $7,000 for the pair. A payment plan is available - no interest if paid before a year or 12% interest if paid over 2-3 yrs. I know hearing well is crucial but that price is staggering. For the first time in my life I'm seriously considering Costco aids. I'm so torn.
Update...
Well. I tried Costco with every good intention The hearing test was similar to what the audiologist does, so that wa a good start. My experience is that I require an occluded ear mold, I cannot use an open dome. The HA dispenser took impressions, again similar to how the audiologist does it. It took about two weeks or so to get everything back. The first attempt at fitting the aids was unsuccessful. The ear molds were improperly made. The did not fit right. I told her to have them remade. She took a picture of Costco set and my set side by side dor the lab. Another wait. Second try, the fit was no different that the first. They actually hurt because the mold was hitting bone. Her remedy was to use a dremel to shave off little bits at a time - totally hit and miss. It got to a point where she said she couldn't do much more. Reluctantly, I said ok and put them in. She gave me zero instruction on how to use them - here's a manual to read. About 50-75 yards from the HA center is the self checkout. DH and I had a couple items to purchase so we stopped there. As I was doing my thing, a Costco clerk spoke to my from behind and I had ZERO clue that anyone was there. I cried in the car because i was so unhappy. I returned them the next day.
I was planning to make do with my current aids until spring, but yesterday one started acting up. I got into my audiologist yesterday afternoon. With DH along, we had a very informative discussion and decided to order my new pair now. It turns out, the aids that Costco sells are at least two generations behind in technology. It may work for some people but for me it would be like going from a Cadillac to a Jeep. I've learned my lesson. There's a reason why audiologist supplied aids cost so much. They have the current and best technology. Knowing how proper hearing is tied to brain health and how unaddressed or improperly addressed hearing loss is tied to dementia, I'm not going to compromise. My new aids wil be hear next week. In the meantime, my audiologist is giving me a loaner.
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