Even if you have noticed that your hearing has deteriorated, one of the ways that you might be encouraged to combat the issue is by using hearing aids. Many people are scared to use aids, but doing so can truly improve the quality of your life in ways you have never imagined.
However, nearly 17 percent of people in the United States facing hearing loss do not have access to hearing aids or hearing aid centers. As a result, the popular retailer, Costco, decided to open its own hearing aid center.
In case you are skeptical or have some questions about Costco hearing aids, we will also answer all of your questions and provide information about buying hearing aids at Costco in this Costco hearing aids review.
In addition, this article will cover some critical information regarding how you can maintain your hearing aids. All these tips and considerations will help you use and keep your hearing aid item in the best way.
What are Costco Hearing Aid Centers?
The Costco Hearing Aid Center provides customers in-store services and hearing tests while also carrying some of the best brands on the market. In addition, Costco offers products from the best hearing aid manufacturers in the United States to help people live a high-quality life.
They also offer free hearing tests for customers and the option to buy hearing aids at prices that are more competitive than anywhere else in the country. Did you need another reason to love and respect Costco?
Before buying hearing aids, its worth scheduling an appointment with one of the Costco Hearing Aid specialists, who will give you a hearing test to decide if you are indeed facing hearing loss and what can be done in terms of treatment. Only after this test will it become clear if you need hearing aids or if other methods will need to be used.
Therefore, Costco will give you a hearing test during your visit to determine if hearing aids are the right option for you. You will also get fitted with your hearing aids and be provided with a free demonstration.
Although Costco offers some of the best prices for hearing aids, hearing aids can indeed be more than what some people would expect. The first reason for this is that not many people use hearing aids.
However, much work also goes into developing hearing aids to ensure that they will provide a high quality of life to the wearer. In addition, the price of each hearing aid includes a warranty in case anything happens to them within the first few years after purchase.
You can have a free hearing test at your local Costco Hearing Aid Center. In addition, you will have free product demonstrations, free follow-up appointments, free hearing aid cleanings, check-ups, and even free coverage for loss and damage. Since most towns have a Costco, this is a highly convenient option for many people.
What are Costco’s Hearing Aids Brands?
The brands offered at Costco are as follows: Rexton, ReSound, Kirkland Signature, Phonak, and Philips, which are also some of the best on the market.
You also will be able to choose between several different hearing aid styles. These include open fit, behind the ear, Bluetooth capable, in the ear, canal, and completely in the canal.
For your convenience, you will also get a hearing aid demonstration and the ability to find out which style and brand would work best for you.
You can also check out Sam’s Club vs Costco hearing aids for more selection.
Instead of discussing individual hearing aids in this section, we will talk about the five main Costco hearing aid brands that you will find at most Costco Hearing Aid Centers, which are some of the most high-quality options on the market. Whatever you choose, you may be sure that they will perform their functions just perfectly.
Phonak hearing aids are also available on Hear-Better.com – Check pricing here.
Phonak offers many different models for people with varying levels of hearing loss. In addition, you can choose to get hearing aids in a variety of colors that will suit you the most.
The models come with wireless accessories that will help enhance your experience with the hearing aids and help you in situations including phone calls, conversations, distance hearing, music, television shows, and more.
Phonak hearing aids are some of the best on the market and are constantly being updated by the manufacturer
One of the most popular models of this brand is the Phonak Brio, which also comes with a MyPhonak app that will enable you to control and adjust the volume of the hearing aids as you go about your day. In addition, they come with remote control and remote support for added convenience. The Phonak Brio will enable you to speak clearly as they automatically adjust the settings according to your environment.
The Phonak hearing aids come in several styles, including behind the ear BTE and receiver in canal RIC hearing aids, so you will be able to have a custom fit.
You will be able to determine which of the models provided by the brand works best for you after taking your free hearing test at Costco hearing centers and trying on the different models available.
Costco’s first brand is Rexton, and mainly the rights reserved Rexton Adore line. Rexton hearing aids are among the best on the market. People generally consider these to be high-quality hearing aids.
This line of iconic hearing aids claims to help you stay comfortable while also providing you with all the convenience and important features you will need in a quality hearing aid. In addition, these are highly versatile and are said to accommodate people whose hearing is at all different levels.
The hearing aids are meant to be compatible with an app and with Bluetooth, and you also will be able to enhance the quality of the music you are listening to, have a microphone, choose the range of the voices that you want to be able to hear, control the ringing in your ears, and more.
Since there are compatible apps that allow you to control how you want the hearing aids to function, you will be able to have a much more discreet look with these than you would with normal hearing aids.
Some of the features you will get with these Costco hearing aids include the ability to recharge them, Bluetooth compatibility, audio streaming, and wireless technology.
You can choose between the Adore iX and the Adore Customs aids models. They also come with accessories to enhance your hearing aid experience, such as controls for wireless connectivity and audio streaming.
These models also come with compatible smartphone apps that you can use to control and adjust them as needed. Truly a most affordable hearing aid for it’s features.
ReSound hearing aids at Costco are another high-quality brand that you may want to consider. The models start at around $1,249.99 per hearing aid, which can be a lot, but Costco hearing aids provide users with many features that set their products aside from those offered by other brands.
For example, you can get a remote control, loss and damage coverage, and so much more. In addition, the Resound Vida brand claims to provide you with a sound that is natural and balanced.
These models operate using lithium-ion batteries that can be recharged, meaning that you get extra time- up to 30 hours- to use the hearing aids before they need to be charged again.
The hearing aids come in many different styles and types- mainly over the ear and in the canal- and you will be able to choose which one you like the most at your Costco Hearing Aids Center.
You can also choose between the different versions offered by the brand. For example, two of the most popular options are Resound Vida and Resound Preza. What sets Resound Preza apart from many of the other brands that are offered at Costco is that you get 30 hours of charge and interrupted power due to the powerful lithium-ion battery.
With the Resound Preza, you will not have to worry about changing the battery too often because it uses the best hearing aid batteries. As a result, you will be able to understand speech much better, and you do not have to worry about not being able to hear other noises around you. In addition to that, these Costco hearing aids work to automatically optimize sound wherever you are, making them one of the best hearing aids from Costco.
The hearing aids come with an app that will enable you to control their functions and settings on your smart device. They will optimize the sound around you so that you will have the ability to focus on noises you need to hear without losing the ability to hear the other sounds.
In addition, you can hold natural conversations with those around you.
Kirkland Signature Hearing Aids
The Kirkland hearing aids are some of the most popular and high-quality options on the market available at Costco. Coming in at $1,499.99 per pair, these are an expensive choice. With that being said, however, the Costco Kirkland Signature 9.0 hearing aids are among the most popular sold at Costco.
One of the best features of the Kirkland Signature 9.0 hearing aids is that they connect to Bluetooth and television without difficulties. You will be able to make hands-free phone calls by simply pressing a button on the hearing aid to answer a call.
The Kirkland hearing aids also use smart technology to adjust to your environment to optimize speech. In addition to that, the hearing aids are meant to be strong and durable enough for everyday use.
They will connect to most Bluetooth devices and TVs. You can also use these Costco hearing aids to make phone calls, adjust the volume, change programs, and control the Signature Hearing aids using the Easy Line Remote app.
These Costco Kirkland hearing aids are also designed to optimize speech, and they will protect your ears against dust and moisture. The kit comes with the hearing aids Kirkland, a cleaning cloth and brush, batteries, a travel pouch, and a case.
You can also choose between 5 colors- bronze, stone, beige, silver, and black.
The last brand of hearing aids at Costco is Philips, well-known for its high-quality electronic devices of all types. You will be able to choose between models that start at around $1,249.99 per hearing aid. Many things set Philips hearing aids apart from others, which is why Costco chose the brand as one of its main hearing aid manufacturers.
For example, this price is rather reasonable for those buying hearing aids. Secondly, many of the hearing aids provided by Philips offer users the ability to perform hands-free phone calls, custom hearing aid models, open fit, and so much more. In short, this is one of the best hearing aid brands offered at Costco.
In addition to what was mentioned already, the main area in which this brand differs from the others is that you will be able to listen to conversations even in noisy environments.
The hearing aids Costco to come with a TV adapter and remote control to adjust your environment to suit your hearing aids and make the hearing aids as comfortable as possible.
In addition, with the help of the Philips HearLink app, you can control your hearing aids, change the listening programs, fix the volume, mute the hearing aids, stream music and videos, and more.
You can also see the percent of battery remaining. In addition, you can choose between several different colors. Also, you will be able to choose between how you want the hearing aids to fit on your ear. For example, some options go behind the ear BTE, and others go inside the ear. You can discuss this in more detail with your provider during your hearing test at Costco.
One of the best hearing aids offered by Philips is the Philips Hearlink. The Philips Hearlink hearing aid uses some of the most groundbreaking technology out there, referred to as Soundmap, to help users hear what is going on around them more clearly, speech in particular.
Your hearing aid specialist will be able to tailor these hearing aids to suit your needs more adequately. There is a wide range of hearing aid models offered by Philips Hearlink, all based on the individual’s level of hearing loss. You also have the ability to choose between different colors if you want your hearing aids to match your skin tone and hair.
Finally, the Philips Hearlink hearing aids are among the most durable on the market since they are designed to be strong enough to handle daily use and activities. In addition, they offer great noise control, feedback cancellation, and high-quality amplification.
How Much Do Costco Hearing Aids Cost?
Costco hearing aid prices claim to be some of the best on the market, and it offers lower prices than other private practices. Keep in mind that the average hearing aid prices are between $1,499 and $2,999 at Costco.
Other hearing aid stores sell hearing aids for over $10k to start. Average hearing aid costs have decreased with low-quality models entering the market, but popular hearing aids from Costco are high-quality, as well as fairly priced.
As you can see, Costco provides incredibly affordable hearing aids. Costco members have access as part of their membership.
Do You Have a Costco Membership?
Here are some important pros and cons according to reviews from Costco members that you will want to consider.
Pros
- Very easy place to buy hearing aids; you have the opportunity to choose between several different brands right in Costco.
- You get free insurance in case you lose or damage the hearing aids. The loss and damage coverage when you buy Costco hearing aids is among the best.
- Costco also offers free cleaning and checkups.
- You get a free hearing test at Costco to see your hearing loss level and which hearing aids will suit you the best.
- The follow-up appointments at Costco hearing centers are also included for free.
- If your hearing aid settings are incorrect they will fix them.
- Costco members enjoy a $1.50 hotdog while they are checking on their hearing health
Cons
- It would be best if you were a Costco member to make use of these services. However, you can find many of their over-the-counter hearing devices in other places.
- Not all stores have a Costco Hearing Center.
- Some hearing centers do not have all the brands and the variety that others do.
Are The Covered By Medicare?
Hearing aid coverage, just like any licensed hearing aid specialists. Medicare does not cover hearing aids, but Part C may cover hearing tests and other procedures.
Some people have coverage for their hearing aids with a private insurer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Something else to keep in mind…: These are neither pros nor cons, but it is important information you will want to consider.
Do I need Hearing Aids?
It is important first to examine whether or not you have hearing loss. For example, does your family frequently have to repeat themselves when speaking to you? Do you have to turn the volume up a lot when watching something on television or online?
You can visit Costco Hearing Aid centers to be tested. There are solutions for those with mild to profound hearing loss.
Does Costco Have Audiologists?
The person checking you out at Costco hearing aid clinics will most likely be a hearing aid specialist instead of an audiologist. The Costco hearing aid specialists are licensed and have the appropriate training, but they do not have a degree. If you only have mild or moderate hearing loss, then this will not be much of an issue, but you should see an audiologist if you have severe hearing loss.
A Costco hearing aid specialist can help you purchase new hearing aids or with any issues regarding your hearing aid settings
What is the best hearing aid at Costco?
This is a difficult question to answer because it is highly individual. For example, the hearing aids that one person may prefer might not be the hearing aids that another person prefers. With all the brands and individual models at a Costco hearing Center, it’s no easy question.
Most hearing aids are behind-the-ear or CIC; we recommend the following top models.
Phonak
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.
Costco’s 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.
How long do hearing aids last?
This, of course, depends on the brand, quality, and how well you take care of them. You can generally expect the hearing aids to last between five or six years, but many modern ones can function even longer than that.
This is also the case with the hearing aids offered by Costco. The better you take care of them, the longer they will last. In addition to that, hearing aids may sometimes need some tuning up or repairs.
How to Make Your Hearing Aid Batteries Last Longer?
When you purchase a Costco branded hearing aid, it is important to make sure that you know how to take care of them properly. Considering how much you spent per hearing aid, they will inevitably last a long time, but there are several things you can do to make sure that the hearing aid batteries last longer.
Hearing Aid Dehumidifier
First, it is important to consider the climate where you live. If you live in a very wet environment, your hearing aid batteries will lose their power a lot faster than usual. Also, humidity is known to cause damage to your hearing aids; that’s why it’s a good idea to buy a hearing aid dehumidifier or dryer.
On the other hand, if you live somewhere dry, this will also cause your hearing aids to die faster. And, if you live somewhere with a high altitude, it may cause a decrease in oxygen, which will, in turn, cause your batteries to die faster.
Store Your Hearing Aids Safely
You also need to be able to know how to store your hearing aids. There are hearing aid battery caddies that you can purchase so that your batteries can stay safe when they are not in use. Most of the Costco hearing aids come with their own cases, so be sure to ask when you visit one of the hearing centers.
Be sure that you do not pull the tab until your batteries need to be replaced because they are activated. Also, be sure to keep your batteries at room temperature. Another question that a lot of people wonder about is how long hearing aid batteries last. It is recommended that you not store them and leave them unused for a time period longer than 4 years.
Changing the Batteries
Another feature that you will want to consider is how easy the hearing aid batteries are to install. Since these batteries are quite small, this might be difficult for some people to swap out easily.
However, you will find that the batteries have a tab on them. Therefore, you will want to see how large the tab is on the battery you choose because this will help you have a much easier time installing them.
You may choose to get rechargeable hearing aid batteries since they will last a lot longer, but some people feel they are not as effective. This will depend on your personal preferences. The free hearing tests that Costco offers will enable you to ask any questions that you might have.
Conclusion
This Costco hearing aids review guide provided an overview of some of the different hearing aids at Costco that you can purchase at one of their Hearing Centers. Costco’s convenience may be a viable option for people who do not have access to hearing aids since it will improve the quality of your life after hearing loss.
If you suffer from mild to moderate hearing loss, you should check out our guide on the best personal hearing amplifiers. They have a much lower cost than hearing aids and can amplify the sounds of human speech. In addition, they are discreet and comfortable, and you can easily control the volume and program so you can hear better.
Also, Check-Out:
Sam’s Club Hearing Aid Selection
Hearing Aids for Tinnitus
Additional Sources:
https://www.asha.org/articles/untreated-hearing-loss-in-adults/
