If You Have Insurance
Costco hearing aids with insurance can still cost you a few hundred dollars or even $1,000. Most insurance does not cover or only covers partially the cost of hearing aids. Your hearing aid coverage from insurance may be dependent on a medical diagnosis. However, in some states, the state government mandates coverage of hearing aids for children who need them.
Medicare may cover some of the cost of hearing aids if you have the Medicare Supplement or Medicare Advantage plan. However, Medicare will pay for hearing tests to diagnose a medical condition.
Additionally, in some cases hearing aids are an eligible purchase for FSA or HSA accounts, but you will need to contact your provider. So, you should contact your insurance to find out what amount of coverage you qualify for.
Why Buy Costco Hearing Aids
The biggest advantage to buying hearing aids at Costco is the price. For instance, most Costco hearing aids are Bluetooth-enabled and cost around $1,300 to $2,500/pair. In comparison, the in-person brands that made our list of the Best Bluetooth Hearing Aids cost between $2,500 and $7,100/pair.
And for many shoppers, a low price is essential. One-in-four seniors forgo hearing aids because they are too expensive, said Brad Ingrao, a doctor of audiology based in Seattle. Because the average Costco hearing aid costs less than those at other hearing aid stores and local audiologists offices, more people can afford Costco hearing aids.
Costco also makes the hearing aid buying process easy by including everything in one place. Youll receive a free hearing test, which lasts about one hour and is performed by a Costco hearing specialist using a sound booth. If you purchase Costco hearing aids, both in-person and remote follow-up appointments for service or cleaning are free.
Finally, Costcos trial period and warranties are more generous than your average brand. The 180-day trial period is longer than the more common 30- or 60-day trials. Additionally, Costco warranties cover loss and damage without a deductible. We recommend that you ask about the warranty before buying because the length varies by brand and model.
Look At Features And Accessories
Costco hearing aids also come with the latest technology and features. For instance, some hearing aids like Bluetooth TV connection that allows your hearing aids to double as headphones, noise reduction, and all of Costcos hearing aids can connect to smartphone apps and accessories.
Tip: Costco also sells accessories for your hearing aids like transmitters and microphones.
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Costco Hearing Aids: Red Flags
Costco Hearing Aids: Red Flags
As the old cliche goes, there are two sides to every coin. We have pretty much summed up the good points of Costco hearing aids accessible, affordable, decent performance. And all these can be confirmed when you check online reviews in hearing aid forums well, most of them at least.
Now lets move on to the red flags when you purchase Costco hearing aids, youll be getting locked hearing aids. When we say locked, you can only have them checked or repaired at Costco service centers.
So imagine that you are on vacation and your hearing aids act a little doozy. You try to go to the nearest Costco but its miles away. Quite a hassle, right?
Another thing that you need to consider is real ear measurement . While Costco claims to use REM for their hearing aid fittings, the accuracy of the procedure may be a bit questionable.
You see, Costco employs state-licensed dispensers to perform REM. Private practices, like Ontario Hearing Centers, have licensed audiologists who have years of training and experience under their belt.
Lastly, Costco hearing aids dont have loaners, known as a spare pair of hearing aids should your original set break down and need to be endorsed to the manufacturer for major repairs. Most private practices have loaners so a patient can continue to enjoy better hearing while the broken hearing aids are being repaired.
Costco Hearing Aid Centers
Most hearing aids, including Kirkland Signature 10.0, can be adjusted from the comfort and security of your own home from your smartphone or tablet.
Feel confident meeting with any of our qualified, non-commissioned staff. We offer a no-pressure, safe environment focused solely on your needs and safety.
- Costco value pricing
- Remote services on select hearing aids
- Free product demonstrations
- Free hearing aid cleanings and check-ups
- Free loss and damage coverage
- Free warranty periods
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What Can I Expect From My Hearing Aids
Hearing aids are designed to improve your performance in most listening situations. Even a normal hearing person will struggle if the noise in the room is louder than the conversation, as they would at a loud party. Hearing aids are not a replacement for normal hearing, but there have been significant advances in recent years to make hearing aids work well in most situations.
Some hearing aids have features like special noise reduction circuitry, or multiple listening programs that can be adjusted to suit certain environments. If you have a very active lifestyle, you should be discussing that with your hearing aid professional so that they can take that into consideration when they make their recommendations for you.
Costco Hearing Aids Will Last But Batteries Wont
Costco hearing aids have been reported to last from about five to eight years, which is a little longer than the average three to five years. However, the Costco Kirkland Signature brand hearing aid batteries only last about a week .
So, when you pick up your hearing aids you might also want to pick up some batteries.
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Costco Hearing Aids Complaints
The majority of Costco Hearing Center and hearing aid reviews are mixed with many stores receiving positive reviews and ratings, but other stores having less than stellar ratings among customers. Customers who wrote reviews on ConsumerAffairs gave Costco Hearing Centers a cumulative score of just under three out of five stars. The majority of complaints revolve around store location, appointment times or trouble with some hearing aid models. The Better Business Bureau gives Costco Corporate an A+ rating.
Pros & Cons Of Costco Hearing Aids
TVs and computers are not the only types of technology one can find at Costco. Many Costco centers around the country sell quality hearing aids at affordable prices. In fact, hearing aids are the companyâs second largest money maker behind wine. Before you grab your membership card and rush out to your nearest Costco to purchase hearing devices, it is important to first understand the pros and cons of Costco hearing aids.
Pros of Costco Hearing Aids
PriceCostco is one of the single largest purchasers of hearing aids in the entire industry. Because they purchase such a huge quantity of hearing aids from manufacturers, they are able to drive the prices down significantly, and then pass those savings along to their members.
Kirkland brand premium hearing aids are good quality hearing devices that will cost you about $1600 per pair, which is about half the price you can expect to pay for name-brand hearing aids you can also purchase at Costco such as Rexton, Phonak or ReSound.
QualityCostco hearing aids are made by reputable manufacturers, and the quality is pretty good. When reviewing feature comparison charts, you can see that premium Kirkland hearing aid technology is quite comparable to the technology found in other premium aids.
If you choose to purchase hearing aids from Costco, please ensure you choose a location that hires a hearing healthcare professional!
Cons of Costco Hearing Aids
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Are Costco Hearing Aids Good
The hearing aids sold at Costco are quite good. They provide a range, from the functional hearing aid to the more expensive with better sound quality for those with profound hearing loss.
Costcos brands are among the most popular on the market, especially Kirkland Signature Hearing aids, and are considered the most high-quality options available.
The hearing aid models are some of the best on the market, and they are not at all store brands. You can find plenty of Costco hearing aid reviews, Some options you might encounter are the Kirkland Signature 9.0 hearing aids, Phonak Brio, Philips Hearlink, Rexton Adore, and more.
Whats The Difference Between Digital And Analog Hearing Aids
Hearing aids are available in analog or digital. Although digital is the most common type of device, some companies still carry analog hearing aids. The difference between analog and digital hearing aids comes down to the type of electronics used. Both devices convert sound waves, but the process used sets each type apart.10
With an analog hearing aid, you will experience amplification with all sounds, including noise and speech. In other words, they make continuous sound waves louder. Analog hearing aids require the user to change settings when in different environments, but some people feel that analog devices provide a more natural hearing experience.
Digital hearing aids convert sound waves to digital signals, providing the clearest hearing possible. These devices are capable of clearing out background noise, reducing feedback, and helping you focus on the sounds and voices you want to hear. Digital hearing aids also offer more complex programming, which allows you to process sounds more selectively.
Most often, you will find more digital hearing aids than analog devices. Some companies have already discontinued selling any analog styles, while others continue to carry one or two types of analog hearing aids.
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Costco Hearing Aid Fast
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Costco hearing tests are free to members
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Costco hearing center employees are typically hearing specialists v.s. audiologists
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Costco hearing care professionals do not make a commission
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Costco sells 19% of the hearing aids in the U.S.
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Costco offers five brands of hearing aids that closely mirror private practice but under different names
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Costco hearing aids start at $1,399 a pair for Kirkland 10.0 and go up to $2,700 a pair for custom mold hearing aids
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Costco offers a two-year one loss or damage replacement for free
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All Costco hearing aids come with unlimited free follow-up appointments remotely or in store
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Clean your hearing aids any time at Costco for free while you shop
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You will need a membership to access Costcos hearing aids, and Costco does not sell its hearing aids online at this time, so youll need to go into a store
Sounds pretty great. Is there a downside?
No one beats Costco on price. They are too big and too focused on being the lowest-priced option. For people like me , that’s great! Similarly, Costco technology is top-of-the-line, and their renamed products are nearly identical to some of the most premium options available at a private practice. All that said, there are a few drawbacks to consider:
The Kirkland : Costcos Best Hearing Aid
While Costco is a wholesale retailer who stocks many brands, their most famous might perhaps be their own! Costcos in-house Kirkland signature brand is well known for high quality and low cost, and this definitely applies to their hearing aids as well.
A popular, good-quality Kirkland Signature hearing aid model is the Kirkland 9.0 digital hearing aids.
The Kirkland 9.0 utilizes the Sonova Sword Chip to facilitate communication, has 20 fine-tuning channels, three manual programs and nine automatic programs, binaural signal processing, binaural beamforming, Bluetooth connectivity for hands free calls, four receiver power levels, a 312 battery, a TV connector, and receiver-in-canal technology.
For all that, a pair costs $1499.99!
As a reference, traditional hearing aid providers charge an average of $2,300 per hearing aid and $4,600 for a pair according to a 2015 Presidents Council of Advisors on Science and Technology report.
There are still some disadvantages. For one, its not rechargeable. Also, it doesnt have a telecoil to deliver customized sound to your ear in noisy environments, has no tinnitus features, and isnt programmable remotely, so youll need to take a trip back to the hearing specialist for any reprogramming.
All in all, its a high-quality and cost-effective option as long as these disadvantages dont bother you.
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The Philips Hearlink 9010
Also offered by Costco, the behind-the-ear Philips HearLink 9010 makes use of Oticon Open Hardware and offers more features than Kirkland hearing aids, including:
- Multichannel directionality
- Made of iPhone functionality
- Airplane mode
The downside is the price. While Kirkland hearing aids cost $1499 for a set of hearing aids, the Philips HearLink 9010 costs $1249.00 per hearing aid.
Costco Hearing Aids: 5 Things To Know Before You Buy
If youve had to shop for hearing aids, you know how expensive they can be. Fortunately, Costco provides a wide selection of hearing aids at good prices for its members.
In this article, Ill take a close look at Costcos hearing aids and what you can expect when you visit the in-store hearing aid center. Ive researched the process of buying hearing aids from Costco and looked at how the prices compared to what consumers pay on average.
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How Long Does It Take To Get Used To A Hearing Aid
Adjusting to your new hearing aids takes time. For some people, getting used to wearing hearing aids happens within a few days. For others, there is an adjustment period that may take a few months.
In general, you should notice a difference right away. If youre having problems, contact the hearing center or online retailer that sold you the hearing aids. They can provide tips and guidance to help with the fit and improve your hearing aid experience.
Which Hearing Aid Is The Most Affordable
Hearing aids are a substantial investment, and finding an affordable device is a high priority for many people. Most companies offer several models at different prices.
If youre looking for a hearing aid brand that consistently sells lower-priced products, MDHearing and Audien are both great places to start. In general, MDHearing devices range in price from $200$800 for a single hearing aid and $400$1,000 per pair. Audien carries even lower-priced hearing devices, ranging from $99$249 per pair.
for more resources on finding affordable hearing aids.
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How Do I Know If I Need A Hearing Aid
Unless a doctor or audiologist has recommended hearing aids, you may not know if you need a pair. If youre noticing hearing loss in one or both ears, it may be time to consider hearing aids. Your spouse, other family members, and/or friends may have also noticed your difficulties with hearing and recommended hearing aids as a solution.
Some signs of hearing loss to be aware of, according to the Mayo Clinic11, include:
- Feeling the need to speak loudly
- Requiring electronic devices to be turned up louder than normal
- Asking people to repeat themselves because you cant hear or understand what they are saying
- Straining to hear
- Not recommended for profound hearing loss
- Not appropriate for young children
- Larger than completely-in-the-canal hearing aids
- More noticeable than other discrete devices
- May get clogged with earwax and require more cleaning
- More prone to feedback issues
How We Research And Review Hearing Aids
Our Reviews Team tests the waterproof claims of various hearing aids
We only recommend hearing devices that we think will have a positive impact for our readers, so we began our testing process by reviewing hearing aid research. We also consulted with audiologists and geriatric care experts to better understand the research, the needs of people with hearing loss, and the hearing aid brands and models on the market. We read thousands of reviews on trusted third-party sites such as Better Business Bureau and Trustpilot to understand customers experiences and where they think hearing aids are falling short. Next, we conducted a survey to discover what people love about their hearing aids, what features they use, and what their biggest challenges are. We focused on brands that:
- Are widely available
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Whats The Best Hearing Aid Available For Me
To be honest, the best hearing aid is a myth. There isnt a singular hearing aid product on the market that is universally best for everyone. Many things need to be taken into consideration when recommending hearing aids, such as the degree of hearing loss, the physical size of your ear, and your lifestyle. When these three things are evaluated, the best solution to your problem can be prescribed.
What Are The Advantages Of Buying Nano Hearing Aids
- Affordable and easy to purchase online with a secure checkout system
- All models offer higher sound quality
- Money-back guarantee covers 45 days after purchase period
- The Nano Sigma is affordable yet packed with features including noise reduction, smartphone hearing test, and sound adjustments.
- A yearly protection plan in case hearing aids are accidentally damaged.
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Taking The Free Costco Hearing Test
I jumped in the car on test day and headed to my local Costco. The place is HUGE. Stacks of bulk deodorant, t-shirts and peanut butter as far as the eye can see.
A representative at the front door checked my membership and pointed me in the direction of the hearing center. I checked in 10 minutes before my appointment and filled in my intake form live .
A licensed hearing professional came to get me in the waiting room and took me to the Costco hearing test booth. He placed two foam wires in my ears.
I clicked the button each time a beep became audible. This first part of the test established my audiogram and hearing aid programming targets. Try the Soundly online hearing test for a quick example of how this works.
The hearing professional tested my speech comprehension by speaking various words into a microphone and asking me to repeat them. He then took out the earbuds and placed a bone conduction headphone on my head to test my bone conduction hearing.
The Costco professional tested my hearing in each ear with static in the other ear to test the interaction between both sides and finished by playing louder beeps to test my responsiveness to loud noise.
The process took about 10 minutes, and we reviewed the results together. My care provider explained why certain sounds are more challenging for my hearing loss and compared my test results to the Costco test I took two years ago. Happily, my hearing is holding steady.