Jules: My hearing aid is from Costco. I believe you don't have to be a member.
Costco Hearing Aids Review (2023) – Forbes Health
Costco Hearing Aids Review (2023) – Forbes Health
Do you wear hearing aids? I could use your recommendation.
- Thread starter Youngster
- Start date
hearlady
Basic Member
- Location
- N Carolina
I hadn't heard that. Great idea.
With option to buy?
hearlady
Basic Member
- Location
- N Carolina
One of the biggest reasons people are not happy with their hearing aids is that they were not properly fit by a licensed professional. A very inexpensive set of aids fit by a qualified and experienced person can help more than an expensive set purchased online, over the counter, or fit by an unqualified fitter.
Buyer beware.
Buyer beware.
Ronni
Well-known Member
- Location
- Nashville TN
We both have hearding aids, both Phonak, both Bluetooth enabled.
we have different hearing problems. My husband has damage from working on the Railroad for many years before it was regulated, and his aids are in the ear kind. Require batteries. He wears his all the time, because he has difficulty hearing anything clearly without them.
My hearing loss is age related. I don’t wear mine all the time because my hearing loss is mild. Mine are rechargeable. I started having trouble hearing conversations in noisy places with lots of background noise. And my grandkids’ voices, with their higher pitch, were troublesome too. Mine are also Phonak but they’re a behind the ear model.
Our audiologist told us that different hearing problems require different solutions because simply making everything louder won’t solve every hearing loss problem. So a one-size-fits-all approach will return inadequate results in many cases.
Having an audiologist is important when going through the process not just to ensure you get the testing necessary to ensure you get the right aid for you. But follow up is important too. I dealt with both auditory fatigue and random feedback and static. It took several trips to the audiologist to solve both problems, though he warned me that auditory fatigue is common and will likely happen.
we have different hearing problems. My husband has damage from working on the Railroad for many years before it was regulated, and his aids are in the ear kind. Require batteries. He wears his all the time, because he has difficulty hearing anything clearly without them.
My hearing loss is age related. I don’t wear mine all the time because my hearing loss is mild. Mine are rechargeable. I started having trouble hearing conversations in noisy places with lots of background noise. And my grandkids’ voices, with their higher pitch, were troublesome too. Mine are also Phonak but they’re a behind the ear model.
Our audiologist told us that different hearing problems require different solutions because simply making everything louder won’t solve every hearing loss problem. So a one-size-fits-all approach will return inadequate results in many cases.
Having an audiologist is important when going through the process not just to ensure you get the testing necessary to ensure you get the right aid for you. But follow up is important too. I dealt with both auditory fatigue and random feedback and static. It took several trips to the audiologist to solve both problems, though he warned me that auditory fatigue is common and will likely happen.
Nathan
SF VIP
- Location
- High Desert- Calif.
JustDave
Well-known Member
No matter what you buy, you may be in for a pleasant surprise. I am hard of hearing mostly to high pitched sounds, and at first I thought I was hearing noise, but the world is rich in sounds. One thing I marveled at was turning a simple door latch which emits an array of what seemed like unnecessary clatter. I'm used to it now, but it's just part of what's out there. Hearing speech, even loud speech was muffled to the point where I couldn't follow sound tracks in movies.
I've had the Costco Kirkland brand and Phonak brand also sold at Costco. They don't handle Kirkland anymore. Their technicians are more thorough than the guy with the degree I went to, but not a lot more thorough. They just did a couple more tests, although their final results were identical.
I've been trying to read up on the new over the counter brands, but I haven't found anything about whether they can be adjusted to compensate for specific pitch loss. Better hearing is not just about making everything seem louder, and I'm not sure how the older models adjust for pitch loss by making specific pitch louder or if they alter it to a pitch you hear well. I read Consumer Reports and they hadn't done any tests. They just reported what was already in print on the internet.
I've had the Costco Kirkland brand and Phonak brand also sold at Costco. They don't handle Kirkland anymore. Their technicians are more thorough than the guy with the degree I went to, but not a lot more thorough. They just did a couple more tests, although their final results were identical.
I've been trying to read up on the new over the counter brands, but I haven't found anything about whether they can be adjusted to compensate for specific pitch loss. Better hearing is not just about making everything seem louder, and I'm not sure how the older models adjust for pitch loss by making specific pitch louder or if they alter it to a pitch you hear well. I read Consumer Reports and they hadn't done any tests. They just reported what was already in print on the internet.
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Roadwarrior
Member
First aids, Costco brand, paid around $1,400 a pair for them in 2018. Now with the changes to aid price rules I'm looking at Amazon anywhere from $99 to ? for rechargeable, the batteries being a minor bother. I've found that it doesn't really matter which brand, marketing and advice from 'experts' aside. I was able to use TV ears many years ago, seemed to work for me. It's all about money as I've eluded to time & again. Just try several on for comfort and sound quality.
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Timewise 60+
Senior Member
I had to get hearing aids before I retired. That was over 8-10 years ago. All that were available then where hearing aids that were sold by "professional" hearing medical professionals. They cost between $2500 - $5000 for a pair. I ended up buy $5,000 pair of Phonak brand hearing aids. They were said to have 'filters' to block out all unwanted sounds, like ceiling fans, background noise, etc.
It took a while to get used to wearing them, but I could hear so much better, I was amazed, although sometimes the extra volume and sound was overwhelming for a few weeks. A few years into retirement they just were not working well and the provider basically tried to sell me new ones.
But during that time many companies were now selling hearing aids as low as $300 - $1000 a pair. Since I was retired, I did not want to pay the extra and regardless the research I did convinced me that the many of the less expensive hearing aids were just as good as the expensive ones. I ended up getting a pair of Phillips at Costco. They look exactly like my old ones except they have a built-in battery and recharge overnight. They work just as well as did my Phonak's they cost a ton less and I don't have to keep buying batteries to make them work. The Cost hearing aids filter out sounds as good as my other ones....I cannot tell a difference. Don't waste your money on these high-priced hearing aids.
It took a while to get used to wearing them, but I could hear so much better, I was amazed, although sometimes the extra volume and sound was overwhelming for a few weeks. A few years into retirement they just were not working well and the provider basically tried to sell me new ones.
But during that time many companies were now selling hearing aids as low as $300 - $1000 a pair. Since I was retired, I did not want to pay the extra and regardless the research I did convinced me that the many of the less expensive hearing aids were just as good as the expensive ones. I ended up getting a pair of Phillips at Costco. They look exactly like my old ones except they have a built-in battery and recharge overnight. They work just as well as did my Phonak's they cost a ton less and I don't have to keep buying batteries to make them work. The Cost hearing aids filter out sounds as good as my other ones....I cannot tell a difference. Don't waste your money on these high-priced hearing aids.
hearlady
Basic Member
- Location
- N Carolina
You'll have to deal with the V.A. The aids they provide are much better than 20 years ago, or even 10 years ago.
Do you have a local vet office?
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IKE
Well-known Member
- Location
- Oklahoma....U.S.A.
I don't use the VA for health care either.
If you've already been rated for having hearing loss by the VA all you have to do is call them and make a appointment for a hearing test. If test shows that you need them they will be made and you'll be called back to the VA a few weeks later for a fitting and adjustment......easy peasy.
Nathan
SF VIP
- Location
- High Desert- Calif.
Feelslikefar
Senior Member
- Location
- Nashville, TN
Recently received a call from my Audiologist and she asked how I was getting along
with my current hearing aids.
She asked me if I had some time to 'tweak' them now that I've had them awhile.
Told her I didn't have time to drive to the office at this time and she said
they can do it while I sit at home, while they are connected to the devices.
When they finished, I noticed much more clarity in spoken words and that my
music selections were clear and deeper.
I did an update to the software on my phone app also.
Once again, my local VA stepped up and provided a nice service I was not expecting.
(mine are Phonak Virto M90 provided by the VA)
with my current hearing aids.
She asked me if I had some time to 'tweak' them now that I've had them awhile.
Told her I didn't have time to drive to the office at this time and she said
they can do it while I sit at home, while they are connected to the devices.
When they finished, I noticed much more clarity in spoken words and that my
music selections were clear and deeper.
I did an update to the software on my phone app also.
Once again, my local VA stepped up and provided a nice service I was not expecting.
(mine are Phonak Virto M90 provided by the VA)
JustDave
Well-known Member
@Youngster Have you bought your aides yet? I just got new aides from Costco. The exam was very thorough and free. The aides cost $1400, made by Philips but they carry other brands too. These are the best I've had yet (my third pair).
You can buy adjustables over the counter, but those range in price from $1400 to $2000. These are the kind that adjust for specific frequencies. The cheaper OTC ones only adjust general volume.
You can buy adjustables over the counter, but those range in price from $1400 to $2000. These are the kind that adjust for specific frequencies. The cheaper OTC ones only adjust general volume.
-Oy-
Bloke with a camera
- Location
- Lancashire
I've needed hearing aids since I was in my mid twenties. I can't hold a conversation without them - and even with them it can be a challenge sometimes. Luckily for me our NHS provides good quality digital aids, batteries and treatment free. Mine current ones are Phonak.
Mr. Ed
Be what you is not what you what you ain’t
- Location
- Central NY
I recently purchased Phonak Audeo L-R / RT at a local hearing aide business. I like my hearing aides, they are lightweight and hardly noticeable. The hearing aides have bluetooth . I can stream music music from my iphone and sound connect with Samsung smart tv, I hear crickets among many other sounds I did not hear before. Buying hearing aides from a designated provider was expensive, however, buying online may cost less but you have to purchase a warranty plan for local support and repair. save yourself time and money don't buy hearing aides online.
hollydolly
SF VIP
- Location
- London England
This is very interesting , because coming from a family who are/were profoundly deaf and mute... I know that those born with no hearing, are no more or less likely to get Dementia than the hearing population...
However, that all changes with Normal hearing people.. who lose their hearing over time..
For slight hearing loss the increase is 5% more likely to get Dementia than hearing.. for moderate that increases to around 10 %... and for severe hearing loss, it rises to a whopping 17 % more likely....
Hearing loss can make the brain work harder, forcing it to strain to hear and fill in the gaps. That comes at the expense of other thinking and memory systems.
It's been proven that Hearing loss causes the ageing brain to shrink more quickly.....and further hearing loss often causes people to stop engaging socially..so the brain becomes less focused
..so all in all when someone begins to realise they're suffering hearing loss, they should address the issue of Deaf aids as soon as possible.
OTOH.... The one major problem for Profoundly deaf people is that, if they get Dementia.. it is much less likely to be picked up in the early stages...
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hearlady
Basic Member
- Location
- N Carolina
All true. 
Timewise 60+
Senior Member
Who says you "are not quite ready"? You or your doctor? Beware, hearing problems can cause other permanent issues....if left untreated!
Pappy
Living the Dream
It may have been mentioned before but my wife got her Phonak aids through Medicare. Total cost…$1600.