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I'm wondering if there are a few, or hopefully many on this Forum who can shed a little light on purchasing hearing aids. I went to a very reputable ENT Dr in Sarasota, Fl for a full evaluation for hearing loss. I went thru about an hour of different hearing tests and had a follow up appt with the specialist. To make a long story short, my hearing for higher range noises, such as hearing conversations in a crowded, noisy room is pretty severe. They sent me to their own Hearing Aid division, who proceeded to look at my test results, and recommend hearing Aids at $5,000. I listened to their Spiel, and said thank you very much, but let me think about it. They tried their hardest to close a deal before I left, but I told them I would think about it and get back to them.

Since then, I have done a lot of research and think I can get a much better, "bang for my buck" at Costco hearing center. Looking at all the available info on the web, it looks like Costco can sell the exact same products as the professionals, at about 1/2 the price! I'm hoping some on here have experience with Costco, and can share their experiences.

Yea sure they can, but the important part is "the person" that fits the correct hearing program to you're hearing loss.

I have never been satisfied with cheap and hearing. Takes a really good experienced person to try and help me.

Save your cheap for something else.
Not the hearing specialist. That person is the key.
JMHO.

Oh yea, hearing aids sells are kind of like a car dealer, they do push hard.
I pay the $5,000 every 3 years or so. Aids are an aid only, this is not like glasses and mechanical fix so remember that.

Had basically the same experience only quoted $6000.00 Pick up my new hearing aids at Costco on Saturday. Have six months to decide if I like them or not and can return for a full refund within that time. Free adjustments as needed. Three year warranty. Two years free loss replacement. $1800.00

Mine cost $7000 from a specialist. They help some but my hearing is still impaired.
My audiologist said the issue of hearing in crowds or lots of back ground noise is not correctable.

Crowds=MUMBO JUMBO!!

Aids increase volume! Don't help you decipher words spoken! Learn how to read lips! That's what I learned to do.

Artillery fire and millions of rifle shots and big aircraft engines are the pariah of hearing loss!!

Along with 2 stroke motorcycles with no muffler.
Diesels in the oil field in drilling operations
Getting older----
Then your brain forgets how to hear from lack of hearing as you put off any corrections and help you can get it.

If your hearing is damaged while you are young and you don't get hearing aids, the part of your brain that distinguishes between noise and speech starts to atrophy from lack of use.

That's why, even with the best hearing aids, my word recognition is below 50 %.

If I can't see you I can't understand you.

Wtxj, and Sharpsman, I know what you're saying! Grew up shooting Rifles and shotguns with no protection, and being an MP in the early 70's at the range every week has definitely contributed. Called the VA to see if I was eligible for VA benefits and they pretty much laughed at me. Thanks for your service!

I am lucky in the fact that I go to a Dr. of Audiology, A PhD type Dr., she was kind to me and sold me last years Phonics for cost plus 10, 1,070.00 out the door all properly adjusted. new price on them would have been 2300.00 EACH!

She also told me the first time I went to her that aids will not restore natural hearing just help to hear a bit better. Crowds, restaurants Etc. FUGETABOUTIT! Quiet situations and normal conversation without a bunch of background noise is where they shine. Hell, I have to mute the TV to talk to the wife or talk on the phone.

Bottom line, go with Costco and avoid Audibel and Belltone like the plague!

I don't need hearing aids yet (which amazes me) but I have been tested by a lot of different audiologists, including the head guy at the Utah State School for the Deaf. The guy I was most impressed with?

The one at Costco.

Lightning, don't ask about a disability, get registered with the VA (DD214 is all you need). I got ZERO percent for my hearing loss, but did get the aids through VA ($8000).
I was amazed that I could hear change rattle and paper rattle, BUT I drive with the windows down and don't wear them when I drive.
Cheap hearing aids simply amplify noise - that's about it, tuned hearing aids help a bunch but they will not restore your hearing to 100%

BTW, Jumping out of airplanes, rifle fire, then a long time flying did me in. Gets worse with age...

Wind noise from driving with the window down killed your hearing. To the OP, $5K is the bottom and my dad has been using his aids for three years, (He is 91.) He had to relearn how to hear, and his comprehension is down below 50% now due to vascular dementia (NOT the hearing aids quality.) What you get now for the money is a service with scheduled appointments and computer-enhanced tuning of the chosen model tailored over time to your own unique needs.


If you csn get by with just a boosted model, get ready for the big time and $10K models later on. Roll them windows up and pay for the A/C!!

Even with excellent hearing protection, I managed to shoot enough rounds that I forever damaged my hearing.

After going though many, many hearing tests, lots of audiologists and hearing aids, I finally settled down to using one source ... COSTCO.

I was skeptical at first, but the Costco hearing test and booth were the finest of the many I've experienced. Further, I found that Costco's technicians are simply excellent.

Something that wearing aids for several decades has taught me; technology advances, even in hearing aids, and I normally buy the next generation about every three years.

Haven't kept count, but I've probably been using Costco as my hearing aid source for fifteen to twenty years. Costco's service is unexcelled, at least at my local warehouse.

I always buy the finest aid that is appropriate. My last pair of hearing aid was purchased last November and they are the best I've experienced yet. Cost out the door for the pair of BTE aids and custom molds??? $2,800

That's dirt cheap, considering the fact that they turn me from a severely-impaired person to one who can actually hear and converse normally.

kd

There is lots of good information here about hearing loss as it was explained by the technician at Costco. She said there is a relearning period of about 3 months that's why they will have to adjust your hearing aids periodically. Also why they allow you to try them out for six months before deciding to keep them.
The ones she loaned me while in the store had a switch that could shut out background noise or allow it as you preferred. She also suggested learning to read lips or at least face the person talking to you was helpful.
I didn't have complete hearing loss at any frequency so just need amplification. Some frequencies more so than others but across the entire spectrum.
I would suggest at least having the hearing exam and going from there. You will know after the exam whether or not you have a good technician.

Yep,do the VA thing.

They are doing my brother-in-law and so far it is looking good.

He lobbed large things a long way while a Captain in the Army.

I have been using hearing aids for 12 years and currently on my third pair. I got the second pair at Costco and that experience convinced me that I would never buy hearing aids from them again. The technicians at Costco are not audiologists. Their hearing test booths are not soundproof. I could hear the store heating and AC fans while taking the test. When I had problems with the aids from Costco, I had to wait up to three days to get an appointment. Costco did not offer loaner aids while mine were out for repair. My local audiologist gets me in for problems on the day I call and provides loaners while mine are being repaired.

If Costco offers their Kirkland brand don't buy them if they won't identify the manufacturer. If it is either Rexton or Siemens there repair service sucks. I waited up to three weeks to get repairs, and always had to have Costco call to get action.

Costco does have the best prices on hearing aid batteries that I have found.

I had my hearing tested at Costco and listened to their pitch, then I went to an M.D. who specialized in hearing disorders. Same scenario as the O.P., I tried the high price $5K + aids for 30 days which cost me $150.00. They had assured me that the masking noise would help with the tinnitis which was my main complaint. I did not feel that they did after a return trip for reprogramming results were the same so I returned them.

COSTCO is the right choice. They identified who makes their Kirkland brand for me as soon as I asked the question. I checked the brand with other audiologists, one of which used to work for Costco - they are top of the line products, and you'll pay over twice as much for them anywhere else. I paid $1900 including tax for a pair.

The guy who left Costco did so to open his own shop and now makes well over $100,000 per year selling $5000 hearing aids.

Costco