hearing prices

[dav]

I need new hearing aids and I heard Costco sells them for a lot cheaper than anyone else. They test you as well. What you guys think?

[seb]

If you have a Costco close to you they are worth a visit. Their prices are about 1/2 the cost of an audiologist and they give a 90 day trial with 100% of your money back if you return the HA's. Their hearing test was way more thorough than the audi I went to and although I wasn't looking to buy at the time of the test the HIS told me which HA's he thought were the best for me and said when I was ready come back and see him. I didn't get the car salesman approach I got from the audiologist. Good luck!

[dav]

Thanks for the info,I will let you know the outcome. Dav

[Ted]

I got my first set of hearing aids a couple years ago by a private audi in my neighborhood here in Burnaby, BC. I can't say how happy I've been with the service and my experience with hearing aids has been awesome from day one.

I have a friend who got hearing aids last year at Costco and he's had nothing but trouble. Every time he needs service, he has to go into the store and deal with the busy atmosphere (I can't understand why he went in the first place because he'd usually never shop in that store). He has to wait 2 weeks to get in when he has a problem


But here's the kicker: he took his hearing aids into a clinic once when he was on vacation because they were too loud and he needed to have them turned down. There was no Costco in this town so he tried 2 private clinics and neither could help him because the hearing aids were locked out so no one but Costco was able to adjust them! He suffered his entire vacation.

Here's how it works for me: I was over in Europe last year and needed my hearing aids serviced. I emailed my audi in Burnaby and he emailed me all of the information I needed to give to the clinic where I was visiting. He even called the clinic to make sure I was taken care of. Even though I was overseas, the audi there hooked them up and fixed my issue. No hassle - no questions asked!

That's service and you won't get that with Costco! They lock down their hearing aids so no one else can help you. Typical lowest common denominator store - they're more concerned about getting you in the store and buying more stuff than helping you hear.

[dav]

Thanks for the info

[ed121]

Sorry but I don't believe that stuff about Costco's lock down. Costco is a reputable ethical (and cheaper) source of aids...,.period!

There personnel vary in quality and competance just like those professionals in private practice.

The Costco corporation is in general is an ethical consumer oriented outfit. They sell the same aids as the private practices. With their enormous buying power few manufacturers can afford not to support them. Don't believe that propaganda about there being anything but the technical and competant equal of the averagel of private practice.

Yes, they have some excellent practioners and from my experience a few not so great people....just like the individual private offices. Their personnel are paid a flat salary (not a commission) with all that implies. Ed

[Um bongo]

Originally Posted by ed121

Sorry but I don't believe that stuff about Costco's lock down. Costco is a reputable ethical (and cheaper) source of aids...,.period!

There personnel vary in quality and competance just like those professionals in private practice.

The Costco corporation is in general is an ethical consumer oriented outfit. They sell the same aids as the private practices. With their enormous buying power few manufacturers can afford not to support them. Don't believe that propaganda about there being anything but the technical and competant equal of the averagel of private practice.

Yes, they have some excellent practioners and from my experience a few not so great people....just like the individual private offices. Their personnel are paid a flat salary (not a commission) with all that implies. Ed

Its quite possible for a large buyer to put a lockdown on the aids they sell . Specsavers do it here and I'm sure Costco have more leverage there.

[dav]

Thanks for your reply.

[Cosmo]

Don't always believe the Costco hype. Not all specialists only push top of the line technology. There are more economic solutions comparable to Costco's, you just need to ask.

[DocAudio]

In general, any hearing aid that is specific to a certain location will only be able to be adjusted by that location. This will apply to anyone, Costco included, if it is a specific brand to them (i.e. Kirkland signature). Now it's possible their products that still have the main manufacturer name on them can be adjusted by anyone...BUT it's equally as likely that Costco has an agreement with that provider that allows only Costco locations to access the software.

I guarantee you that if you had Kirkland signature hearing aids and wanted me to adjust them I could not since I don't have Kirkland software nor could I get it since I am not Costco. In this respect, Costco is exactly the same as Miracle Ear, Beltone, Audibel, and every single other chain-dispensing location in the U.S.

If it says anything besides the main manufacturer name (ReSound, Rexton, Widex, Phonak, etc.) chances are (read: 99%)that the only people that can access the software and make changes are locations that share the same business name as where you purchased those hearing aids.

Has nothing to do with ethics - it has everything to do with repeat business and holding onto patients.