Be cautious about getting hearing aids from Costco

[Anonymous]

I’m very confused, this was not my experience at all. I was recommended for hearing aids from Kaiser, and went to get them at Costco (NE DC). I was unbelievably impressed with the experience (as was my father, who has been wearing hearing aids for 25 years). The audiologist was extremely knowledgeable and professional, and the hearing aids (which I have had for about 3 months now) have been a game-changer. Highly recommend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m very confused, this was not my experience at all. I was recommended for hearing aids from Kaiser, and went to get them at Costco (NE DC). I was unbelievably impressed with the experience (as was my father, who has been wearing hearing aids for 25 years). The audiologist was extremely knowledgeable and professional, and the hearing aids (which I have had for about 3 months now) have been a game-changer. Highly recommend.

I should mention that I hardly notice they are in. Now I have moderate, not severe hearing loss, but I dragged my feet for several years before getting them, and I love that they are basically invisible.

Btw, apparently one major difference is that I apparently basically just shouted all the time before, and people report they I now talk 50-80% quieter than I did before.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it is ridiculous medi-care and many other insurance plans do not cover hearing aids. So the next best thing is Costco because they have the lowest prices on hearing aids. For many people this is great and it is really the best place for many people to get hearing aids, but I just wanted to tell about my experience if you have a parent who needs hearing aids.

About 5 years ago I took my mother to Costco and got her hearing aids for a moderate to severe loss. She never really adapted to wearing them because she said they were uncomfortable and hard to put on so only wore them intermittently. About a year later she had a stroke and then she stopped wearing them. About two years ago I took her back to Costco and explained she wasn't wearing them. The audio technician was nice and said they still worked so he cleaned them up and recommended that she wear them. Meanwhile she was experiencing a slow cognitive decline that is now dementia. I have been reading about how hearing loss (and not wearing hearing aids to make up for the loss) can be a very significant risk factor for dementia. So now she has trouble with short-term memory but can still have a conversation and remember some things. I really wanted her to try hearing aids again so took her to an audiologist.

The whole experience was so different. He explained that hearing aids shouldn't be uncomfortable. He also recommended a type of hearing aid (Lyric) that is invisible, is inserted into the ear canal by an audiologist and then can be left in place for around 2 months without having to be charged. After two months you go back to the audiologist and they are replaced (they are disposable). This has been such an amazing hearing aid for my mother who is not able to remember to charge them or put them on consistently in the morning. She has had them for a month and her quality of life is so much better. She can hear the phone ringing, her friends talking to her at meals (she lives in an assisted living apartment), me knocking on the door (before I would have to go get someone to open the door after calling all day and knocking on her door with no answer). Being able to hear 24/7 is amazing. She can't feel they are even in her ear. I really regret now not taking her to an audiologist that has a quiet office and more time to find the right hearing aid. The money spent on the hearing aid probably would have saved money because she might not be as far along with her dementia, which requires her to spend more money on care.

How expensive is the Lyric?

It was a 5 year uphill battle just to get my dad to finally get hearing aids, and now we're battling to get him to wear the goddamn things.

+1
I am curious the cost also.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it is ridiculous medi-care and many other insurance plans do not cover hearing aids. So the next best thing is Costco because they have the lowest prices on hearing aids. For many people this is great and it is really the best place for many people to get hearing aids, but I just wanted to tell about my experience if you have a parent who needs hearing aids.

About 5 years ago I took my mother to Costco and got her hearing aids for a moderate to severe loss. She never really adapted to wearing them because she said they were uncomfortable and hard to put on so only wore them intermittently. About a year later she had a stroke and then she stopped wearing them. About two years ago I took her back to Costco and explained she wasn't wearing them. The audio technician was nice and said they still worked so he cleaned them up and recommended that she wear them. Meanwhile she was experiencing a slow cognitive decline that is now dementia. I have been reading about how hearing loss (and not wearing hearing aids to make up for the loss) can be a very significant risk factor for dementia. So now she has trouble with short-term memory but can still have a conversation and remember some things. I really wanted her to try hearing aids again so took her to an audiologist.

The whole experience was so different. He explained that hearing aids shouldn't be uncomfortable. He also recommended a type of hearing aid (Lyric) that is invisible, is inserted into the ear canal by an audiologist and then can be left in place for around 2 months without having to be charged. After two months you go back to the audiologist and they are replaced (they are disposable). This has been such an amazing hearing aid for my mother who is not able to remember to charge them or put them on consistently in the morning. She has had them for a month and her quality of life is so much better. She can hear the phone ringing, her friends talking to her at meals (she lives in an assisted living apartment), me knocking on the door (before I would have to go get someone to open the door after calling all day and knocking on her door with no answer). Being able to hear 24/7 is amazing. She can't feel they are even in her ear. I really regret now not taking her to an audiologist that has a quiet office and more time to find the right hearing aid. The money spent on the hearing aid probably would have saved money because she might not be as far along with her dementia, which requires her to spend more money on care.

How expensive is the Lyric?

It was a 5 year uphill battle just to get my dad to finally get hearing aids, and now we're battling to get him to wear the goddamn things.

+1
I am curious the cost also.

$3600 for a year. You have to buy a year prescription and that price includes all the office visits and as many lyric disposable aids as you need for your ears. (That price is for both ears). Only around 10% of audiologists are certified to sell lyric because you need additional training. For my mom it has been well worth the money. She is amazed to hear her clothes rustling and her footsteps. I didn’t realize you at more if a risk for falling of you can’t hear your footsteps, which makes sense if you think about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Duh. Always use an audiologist for these things.

Not sure what the emphasis on “invisible” hearing aids is about. Who cares if people see your hearing aids? So weird.

Those in the workplace prefer hearing aids to be invisible.

Why?

Cosmetics and our culture of youth in the workplace.

Nonsense. Sounds like a you insecurity.

And what does this have to do with youth?

Some of us in our 50s and 60s are still working and will be for a while; not a good look to have a visible hearing aid in many workplaces. Had a coworker in his 40s who left his out for the interview and only wore them after he started the job.

[Anonymous]

I'm going for a hearing test soon at an audiologist and having second thoughts.

I know I need them and knew they would be very expensive but had no idea that they were in the 6-8,000 range.

I think I probably need to go to Costco.

Thanks to all pp's who shared their experiences.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it is ridiculous medi-care and many other insurance plans do not cover hearing aids. So the next best thing is Costco because they have the lowest prices on hearing aids. For many people this is great and it is really the best place for many people to get hearing aids, but I just wanted to tell about my experience if you have a parent who needs hearing aids.

About 5 years ago I took my mother to Costco and got her hearing aids for a moderate to severe loss. She never really adapted to wearing them because she said they were uncomfortable and hard to put on so only wore them intermittently. About a year later she had a stroke and then she stopped wearing them. About two years ago I took her back to Costco and explained she wasn't wearing them. The audio technician was nice and said they still worked so he cleaned them up and recommended that she wear them. Meanwhile she was experiencing a slow cognitive decline that is now dementia. I have been reading about how hearing loss (and not wearing hearing aids to make up for the loss) can be a very significant risk factor for dementia. So now she has trouble with short-term memory but can still have a conversation and remember some things. I really wanted her to try hearing aids again so took her to an audiologist.

The whole experience was so different. He explained that hearing aids shouldn't be uncomfortable. He also recommended a type of hearing aid (Lyric) that is invisible, is inserted into the ear canal by an audiologist and then can be left in place for around 2 months without having to be charged. After two months you go back to the audiologist and they are replaced (they are disposable). This has been such an amazing hearing aid for my mother who is not able to remember to charge them or put them on consistently in the morning. She has had them for a month and her quality of life is so much better. She can hear the phone ringing, her friends talking to her at meals (she lives in an assisted living apartment), me knocking on the door (before I would have to go get someone to open the door after calling all day and knocking on her door with no answer). Being able to hear 24/7 is amazing. She can't feel they are even in her ear. I really regret now not taking her to an audiologist that has a quiet office and more time to find the right hearing aid. The money spent on the hearing aid probably would have saved money because she might not be as far along with her dementia, which requires her to spend more money on care.

How expensive is the Lyric?

It was a 5 year uphill battle just to get my dad to finally get hearing aids, and now we're battling to get him to wear the goddamn things.

+1
I am curious the cost also.

$3600 for a year. You have to buy a year prescription and that price includes all the office visits and as many lyric disposable aids as you need for your ears. (That price is for both ears). Only around 10% of audiologists are certified to sell lyric because you need additional training. For my mom it has been well worth the money. She is amazed to hear her clothes rustling and her footsteps. I didn’t realize you at more if a risk for falling of you can’t hear your footsteps, which makes sense if you think about it.

I forgot to add there is a 30 day no cost trial period. Only around 75% of people can be adequately fitted and then tolerate the Lyric. Some people have sensitive or narrow ear canals or don't like them, so the first month is free. If you decided to get them then the one year mark starts at whatever day you started your trial. The price can vary at different audiologists. So it could be a little more or less depending on the audiologist. They are the only truly invisible hearing aids. You can't see them at all even if you are staring directly at someone's ear canal.

If you are tech savy, can research, and have no other issues then I think Costco is great. By all means start at Costco and see if it works. I just wanted to post for the people who are dealing with elderly parents who should be wearing hearing aids but don't. Or people who want a truly invisible hearing aid. I am not sure if it is true or not but supposedly only 25% of people who get hearing aids at Costco never get second pair. I am not sure if this is really accurate but that is what I read. I think there is an art to programing and fitting hearing aids. For my mother Costco didn't end up being a good option either five years ago or now.

I just don't understand how so many other things are mandated to be covered by health insurance yet hearing aids that lead to a much improved quality of life are not covered. I would think there would be a total savings if you factored in all the benefits of wearing a hearing aid like helping to prevent dementia, fall prevention, preventing mental health issues like depression when people withdraw, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ok professional hearing aids are better than Costco hearing aids. Got it.

I never understand the thought process behind a rude reply to someone who takes the time to share their experience. Feel better now that you’ve taken a swipe at a stranger?

OP thank you - appreciate your post. I’d been thinking about Costco for a family member and now I think we won’t bother with them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Duh. Always use an audiologist for these things.

Not sure what the emphasis on “invisible” hearing aids is about. Who cares if people see your hearing aids? So weird.

Those in the workplace prefer hearing aids to be invisible.

Why?

Cosmetics and our culture of youth in the workplace.

Nonsense. Sounds like a you insecurity.

And what does this have to do with youth?

Some of us in our 50s and 60s are still working and will be for a while; not a good look to have a visible hearing aid in many workplaces. Had a coworker in his 40s who left his out for the interview and only wore them after he started the job.

This is what makes absolutely zero sense. It’s a medical device. So what? It’s like you think there is a stigma.

If anything its visibility is a clue people should speak more clearly to you and take care to enunciate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Duh. Always use an audiologist for these things.

Not sure what the emphasis on “invisible” hearing aids is about. Who cares if people see your hearing aids? So weird.

Those in the workplace prefer hearing aids to be invisible.

Why?

Cosmetics and our culture of youth in the workplace.

Nonsense. Sounds like a you insecurity.

And what does this have to do with youth?

Some of us in our 50s and 60s are still working and will be for a while; not a good look to have a visible hearing aid in many workplaces. Had a coworker in his 40s who left his out for the interview and only wore them after he started the job.

This is what makes absolutely zero sense. It’s a medical device. So what? It’s like you think there is a stigma.

If anything its visibility is a clue people should speak more clearly to you and take care to enunciate.

Ugh! I can't figure out if you are an old clueless person or a young clueless person. Everyone is telling you that looking older matters in their profession. It doesn't in yours? Yay you!
Np

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP again. When I go visit my mother at her assisted living place and walk around I have really made a point of noticing who is wearing hearing aids. So many men are wearing them compared to the number of women. It could be the men are getting their hearing aids from the VA which at least partially covers hearing aids and not as many women qualify. I think though it is vanity because many of the women don't want to be seen in hearing aids.

The other important thing about the Lyric hearing aid is that if you have a parent who is starting to forget things or doesn't have the manual dexterity to insert a hearing aid, or has trouble inserting the aids to recharge or change the battery, it is a a great option because an audiologist handles everything about twice a month.

Sorry this should say the audiologist takes them out and puts in new ones around every 2 months not twice a month. You can shower in them but you can’t submerge your head in water.

[Anonymous]

One has nothing to do with the other.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ok professional hearing aids are better than Costco hearing aids. Got it.

I never understand the thought process behind a rude reply to someone who takes the time to share their experience. Feel better now that you’ve taken a swipe at a stranger?

OP thank you - appreciate your post. I’d been thinking about Costco for a family member and now I think we won’t bother with them.

You should still give your Costco a try! The one near my parents has a good audiologist, and the people working the counter are sooooo nice and patient. I struggled to get my dad to get hearing aids for a long time, and he eventually went to Costco because they go there every few weeks to shop and it was convenient. He can have them cleaned while they shop, and the people at the counter can help him adjust the settings or fit or answer questions. For him, accessibility and convenience were the most important things.

I wouldn't be surprised if there is huge variability in the staff from one Costco to the next. It's worth at least checking out the one near you.

[Anonymous]

We had an excellent experience with Costco.

I get that $2500-4k is a lot for most people, but older people aren't paying for daycare, saving up for 1st downpayments or their kids 529 plans. You just have to get used to putting a higher percentage of your income to health.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm going for a hearing test soon at an audiologist and having second thoughts.

I know I need them and knew they would be very expensive but had no idea that they were in the 6-8,000 range.

I think I probably need to go to Costco.

Thanks to all pp's who shared their experiences.

You can go to the audiologist for a hearing test. You do not have to buy hearing aids from them. I pay to have my hearing tested at my audiologist, but I got my hearing aids at Costco.