I have had 2 sets of hearing aids in the last 12 -15 years.

The 1st set was Oticon. They worked well, but I had to have the speakers changed about 3xs. I was never pleased with the Customer Service that Oticon offered.

When it came time to replace the speakers again, I checked into Costco.

Went to an audiologist, got the RX. Went to Costco, they also did an hearing test, and the same results as the DR. I did NOT share the results from the audiologist until their tests were completed.

So 4 years ago, I purchased Philips hearing aids from Costco. Top of the line at 1/2 the cost of what the audiologist would have charged. I have been VERY, VERY pleased with them! Last summer, I had a problem with one. (I didn't realize I had 2 days left of the warranty I thought it had lapsed). Rather than repair it, they replaced it with a brand new hearing aid. I was quite shocked & impressed!

The technology has advanced even more within the last 4 years.

My 90 y/old Mother, on the other hand, has had about 6 sets of aids over the last 15 years.

Her complaint -- they don't work. She even checked into a Cochlear Implant (at 88 yrs old then) and the doctors told her it wouldn't be beneficial to her. Sometimes there is just nothing that can be done. (Sadly for me, the hearing loss is genetic - I'm doing all I can to protect what I have left.)

I'm sorry you've not had success with Costco. If nothing else, after you meet w/your audiologist, maybe consider getting a 2nd opinion from them?

If you haven't tried Costco in years, the technologies have improved, and you'll still get the best price. Pudgeder has great advice.

My mother had expensive Phonak aids for years and they worked well. They have a warranty. Sorry that I don't remember the length of it. They also had a replacement at 50% of original cost if one was lost. Since she now refuses to wear any assistive device, I haven't kept up with the latest technology. One of Mom's frustrations, as technology improved, was size. The new smaller aids were harder for her to manipulate with her arthritic hands. The other frustration was having to recharge them as opposed to just changing the batteries. Part of the latter is a result of her declining mental capacity. Any behavioral change is difficult for her to manage.

Some of the newer aids require using an app to change sound levels and modes. Mother would never be able to manage that.

Now, none of these issues may apply in your case, but I thought I would list them anyway as other posters might find it helpful.

I don't know how it happened to get to the point that both audiologists and optometrists can charge outrageous and unwarranted prices for the products they sell.

That leaves an opportunity for the likes of Costco, who can sell the products at more reasonable prices and still make good money doing so. I know nothing about hearing aids but the eyeglasses Costco sells are of average, mid-range quality. Adequate for some people and not for others. Perhaps it's like that for hearing aids too, I don't know.

Good luck, chisue.

Finding a good audiologist is like finding a good hair stylist. Once you've found them you don't want to go anywhere else. My doctor is a professor of otology and neurotology connected to a well known teaching hospital. I got my first aid from their audiology dept. Basic audiology tests are only one part of getting the best result from your aids. My doctors told me from the start that I would need a hearing mold along with an aid to get good results. I was satisgfied with the outcome. One day my mold broke. I called and no could see me. Found a local hearing center and they not only let me walk in but repaired it on the spot to get me by. When I went to pick up my new mold they tested my hearing again and spent over 2 hours fine tuning my existing aid. What a difference. So this idea that you take a test, the results are read and you go pick out an aid are bogus. Hearing aids do not work like glasses. I could go on and on about this but for the person trying to learn this links to the most, concise read I have found for someone new to the subject. https://www.salusuhealth.com/news/2023/06/there-is-no-best-hearing-aid.html

wildchild, I'm not sure I follow the distinctions you and also that article are trying to highlight. I get that devices differ, some have strengths and others weaknesses compared to others, and adjustments need to be customized to the individual.

Having an optimal eyeglass fitting and fulfillment can be described in somewhat similar ways. Some "fitters" are more capable than others, use better tools and equipment than others, have a better understanding than others.

Is there more to it than that?

Wow! Thanks for the fast response.

I'm happy to learn that the whole field has improved. I will gladly consider trying Costco again after I see what's up with the people at the hospital.

I did check with an ENT last month, just to make sure the problem *can* be helped.

DH went to costco and used their hearing aids for years. But then he was struggling with clarity...he could hear volume, but not clear voices. So we went to the audiologist connected with his ENT. Very nice and caring. We spent a lot more $ on oticon. At first they seemed to help, but he still struggles with clairty with them. He has to be very vigilent about keeping them clean. The settings on the app -- which I do for him since he is a tech-boob -- do seem to help, especially for when we're in the theater or restaurants. But, as the audiologist explained, there's also an absolute hearing loss given his age that no hearing aid is going to help, so there's that too. He does manage to charge them each night and remember to take them out before showering. Both costco and these guys have been very good about giving him free filters and such to keep the aids going.

Here’s some food for thought. Costco hearing aids have a 6 month trial period. You can get a full refund any time during the first 6 months for ANY reason. You have nothing to lose by trying them. There is no cost for cleaning or supplies (unless you choose a battery version). Keep them clean and change out the domes and wax rings frequently. It takes seconds to do so. There is no set schedule on changing them out. It varies by individual. If they are in need of replacement, your hearing aids won‘t work as well until you do. If you have trouble with the hearing aids, they will tweak the programming. Its not a one and done thing for the life of the hearing aids.

Update: I have my audiologist results. A 'nest step' would be an appointment with their hearing aid 'advisor'-- for $100 OOP. Their recommendations run from $2K... to the moon. I made the appointment (November), but will probably cancel.

I checked my insurance coverage -- only $500, which can be awarded once in each of three years. That's not enough to sway my decision. They sent me a long list of nearby places to go to be fitted. There must be plenty of business!

The test shows that my ears are now very similar as to loss, which wasn't the case in 2019. Then, I was told to continually re-balance the aids using a smartphone app. I never felt I was doing that correctly and never noticed any changes.

I have an appointment at Costco on Monday. I'll see their test results, then compare with the audiologist's. I'm expecting same/same.

When I called Costco, I spoke to the same lady who'd fitted me six years ago. She had offered me rechargeable aids or ones with batteries, saying that some seniors have difficulty with the tiny batteries. Back then I scoffed at such a problem. Things change!

I don't know if I'll be offered aids like I had, behind the ear, or something IN the ear. I don't care about hiding these. I just want to be able to hear. Does anyone have experience or advice about this aspect?

Thanks so much!

No appointments until November? A good reason to go elsewhere.

Good luck.

I just got new hearing aids 2 weeks ago. My previous ones were Phonac brand that Ive had for 9 1/2 years & never had the first problem with them.

The new ones are Starky brand. There were 3 levels to chose from with regard to price & features and i chose the highest price/features and I really like them & believe Im hearing much better. They are rechargeable & have a 30 day return for full refund. (I think that can differ according to State Law) and a 3 year warrenty. The Audiologist says that right before the 3 years are up we can send them in to the manufacturer to install a new rechargeable battery.

I chose both times to go to my local non-profit community hospital for my hearing tests and to purchase the H/As. There are several free standing centers locally, but who knows when they’ll pick up stakes & leave town. Most are not open everyday & have offices in other cities/towns. There are 4 Audiologists at the hospital & all had been in private practice previosly & say ”never again”. There is a lot of pressure to sell aids at centers. She said, ”At the hospital there is no such pressure. No one would say a thing if I sold 1 a year, nor would they say ’Good job’ if i sold 10 per week.” Some (most?) of the H/A centers have ”Hearing Specialists“ that take care of you. I know they have much less education that an Audiologist, who has a Masters degree. I prefer that level of professional expertise. The hospital discounted the hearing aids greatly if you paid for them at the time of receiving them. With that, my top line H/As cost was just over $3700. (So ask about that if you go the hospital route.) I think most places cover the wax guards and tips for free, as well as any issues while still under warranty.

My husband also got first time H/As at the same time I did. He didnt think he needed them (it was at my urging), tho his test showed more loss than mine. He opted for the lowest price/features and with the same cash on delivery discount, his were just over $2000. He is AMAZED at what he can hear now! Loves them! Also rechargeable, same warranty.

We do not have a Costco locally, so i have no idea if they operate similar to H/A centers.

i think the ability to buy them over the counter has helped to drive down the price of H/As overall. But i was told that many (most?) OTC aids simply make things louder & dont have the electronics & science that prescription aids do, like refining high pitched sounds, which is what most seniors lose.

I hope this helps.

I got mine in April 2024 and they are rechargable. I don’t know how long a charge lasts, but I wear them about 16 hours a day and have never been close to having them run out of power. There are many ways they can tweak your hearing aids so go back if there are any issues.

From what I have seen in the ear aids are for those with mild to moderate hearing loss. My hearing loss is profound so I wear a behind the ear aid with a custom ear mold. My Phonic works well but I am ready to upgrade to a blue tooth model so I can use some compatible accessories. I find it interesting that most posting here are leaning toward rechargeable aids. I can't imagine that working out well for me. I still do a lot of distance driving and travel, tent camping and of course spend much of the week in somewhat electrically remote areas with horses. For me, I want the convenience of being able to pop in a new battery if needed anywhere I happen to be, wait the five minutes and be on my way. Perhaps they will come up with a rechargeable hybrid that can use a regular battery as well but I imagine size may be the limiting factor for that technology at this time. I don't wait for my battery to die. I change it on a 4 day schedule. My left ear is cochlear "eligible" but as I have mentioned before it has been recommended I put that option off as long as possible, due to my lifestyle and the risk of balance issues. Of course if it gets to the point where my options run out I would have the surgery.

Yes indeed. You got what you wanted (and needed) for free.

ThatThat’s great Chisue!