Costco. My husband just got his 2 weeks ago. He and I are very hsppy. Under $2,000.00. Guaranteed for 6 months.

Maddielee, are they big and bulky or would it be covered by a woman’s hair? Sounds more like something she might be more able to afford....Thanks!

I can not see them when my husband has them in. Very small behind the ear unit with an invisible wire going into the ear.

I recommend you investigate the models offered by Sam's Club. An advantage of Sam's Club is availability of service after purchase. Hearing aids that are used every day may need service after 2 years. Most of these do not have an on-off switch. These are turned on by closing the battery door and the battery door is partially opened to turn off. The battery door is held closed by some sort of plastic detent and this wears out or the plastic 'spring' weakens. Repair is simple by replacing the battery door, and at this point, the user discovers the difference between brands - availability and cost of service!

When I needed hearing aids, my doctor referred me to his group audiologist. A hearing test was made and an audiogram produced. A pair of hearing aids from the Doctor cost from $3000 and up. I opted to try a pair offered by my insurance (United Health). These cost in the neighborhood if $1200 to $1400, but were not available locally. I had to send a copy of my audiogram to Minneapolis, MN where the hearing aids were programmed and mailed to me. These H. aids had the receiver (speaker) in the hearing aid case and the sound was sent to the ear via an air tube and ear bud. At first, I was satisfied with these. After one year, the flimsy batter door was loose. That's when I found there were no repair stations in or near my metropolitan area. There were sales offices, but no repair. To get repair, one had to ship the units back to Minneapolis and arrange payment via phone or internet. Meanwhile, the user is without aids, I do not know the turn-around time in Minneapolis; I estimate the entire process would take a minimum of 2 weeks.

If your hearing changed, a new sonogram would be needed and again, a 2 week process to get the change. It was at this point where I began to look for alternatives.

The hearing aids i purchased from Sam's Club were higher quality ( and higher priced). A hearing test to make the sonograms was available in the store at no additional charge. I chose a pair of digital hearing aids with telecoils. These aids had storage for 4 different programs. 2 microphones within each unit, and the receiver in the ear canal. The programs currently in my aids are normal, noisy environment, and telecoil. There's room for one more program if needed.

These aids cost $2000 for the pair. I added replacement insurance in case of loss, failure, or damage.

There are telephones that can couple to telecoils. (Most phones do not have this option.) Telecoil coupling to a phone greatly helps with phone calls. Also, it can be useful in auditoriums and theaters when present. In a 2 year period, I have had only one occasion where I was able to use the telecoil and that was at a lecture in a library auditorium. It was great. We have movie theaters that supposedly have telecoil capability, but apparently, they do not activate it by default. I do plan to get a telecoil phone when we replace our present one. My left ear is very bad so I hold the phone to my right ear. However, Its very awkward to write notes since I am right handed.

I've had this pair from Sam's Club for more than 2 years. When I took these in for new battery doors, they also re-tested my hearing and re-programmed the hearing aids at no charge. Prompt service is an important item.

Thanks...I will pass this info on to her.

Does your neighbor really need two? My DSL has worn hearing aids for many years and due to increased hearing loss, just needed to change to wearing 1 in each ear.

My FIL had the best luck, believe it or not, with "sound amplifiers". He was completely deaf in one ear and "profoundly deaf" in the other - - - that term was from the audiologist. After losing his thousands-of-dollars expensive hearing aids one too many times (ARGHHH! Poor guy), we tried a sound amplifier that I got on Amazon (or eBay .... can't remember for sure). It was something like $115. It was amazing how that worked for him (he only wore one, as nothing would help the totally deaf ear).

Even though he continued to lose them on occasion (sometimes found, sometimes not) they were the best solution - for him - ever. Nobody could believe that they didn't have to yell to him anymore - he heard very well, considering, and wasn't bothered by background noise. A God-send for him and for us.

I'm not saying that would work for everyone, but it may be worth a shot.