Costco Hearing Aid Center Review | Secret Shopping Kirkland Signature 10.0
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- Опубліковано 14 чер 2024
- Costco Hearing Aid Center Review | Secret Shopping Kirkland Signature 10.0 Hearing Aids. Doctor Cliff Olson, Audiologist and founder of Applied Hearing Solutions in Phoenix Arizona, sends his Assistant to a Local Costco Hearing Center as a Secret Shopper to evaluate just how good Costco Hearing Care Providers are at Treating Hearing Loss with their Costco Signature 10.0 Hearing Aids.
Costco Kirkland Signature 10.0 Hearing Aid Review: COMING SOON!
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Dr Cliff, you gave a fair assessment about the one experience with the local Costco store. You have excellent professional knowledge and putting your patients first. Myself as a consumer, $6000 to $8000 for a set of hearing aides in the private setting is not possible. So I became a Costco customer.
I've been going to ENT-audiology office for 11 years and seen several different audiologists. Not one of them has done all of these things that "should" be done by the professionals.
Another great video Dr. Cliff! I just attended a hearing aid evaluation at Costco with my 70 year old mother and couldn't be happier with the experience. The technician spent 90 minutes with us, explaining placement, features, operation and adjustment. She was extremely patient and answered all of our questions. My mother tried out the Kirkland 10.0, Jabra, and Philips. The provider took time to program and reprogrammed (based on my mother's feedback) each model for my mother to try out in the warehouse. I asked her for a recommendation and she suggested Philips model. She informed us the 10.0's have been having battery life issues right out of the box, so we should consider this. My mom selected the Philips. Next appointment will be a fitting. I'll update this post after the fitting.
Could you please update your mother's experience with Philips hearing aid so far and also Costco's service?
The best part about this video... was to read the many comments of real people who went to Costco a d other places and know about their experience
All I can say is that if there was a Costco in my area, I'd have already taken my Dad there to get a pair of hearing aids for $1500. None of the audiologist in my area provide care even at the level Costco gave you.
My three local audiologists quoted us $2400 to $6000 for hearing aids. Each one of them only gave us one option (hearing aid selection). They didn't mention different brands, models, or tier levels. They didn't even want to talk about options or prices when asked. I believe only one does REM. Only one had a sound booth. One did the hearing test in their office and you could hear cars going by outside the whole time.
Your practice is the exception. Sadly, the experience you got at Costco is what most people get at their audiologist.
I had COSCO’s Signature 10.0T fitted last month. I could not disagree more with you. My experience was fenomenal. I did have a certified Audiologist perform the initial exam and follow ups. I was never rushed. All my questions and much more was clearly explained. I did a lot of research before I had the exam and I am very happy with the results.
I work at Costco as a Hearing Aid Dispenser and Phonak actually recommends that we use M receivers for most fittings.
Hi! I am a Costco customer and I use the Costco 9.0 rexton hearing aid. I was tested by south west hearing center and by my ENT office hearing specialist before going to Costco to be checked.. And to my surprise I tested identically by all three. So I guess I can say my local Costco is doing a pretty great job. I am from the St.Charles Missouri area. But I think you do a really great job of reporting on what’s new and what we should be looking at for the future. Thanks!
It took 14 visits to Costco to finally get my Rexton Trax42s properly adjusted. Finally contacted Costco corporate and they had the head of audiology at Rexton get involved. Turned out I had down level hardware with bad firmware that could not be updated. The phone support my dispenser got from Rexton did not know about the problem and just kept trying different adjustments. The people at Rexton offering support to Costco dispensers are not up on what they support either. Sometimes you have to go to the top when all else fails with a newly released product.
Yikes!
Your explanations were very good. I was with my mother getting her hearing aids at Scottsdale Costco. Her experience was the opposite of your assistant's. As was mine at a Costco in Minnesota. Regardless it boils down to $1700 per device from a clinic or $1500 a pair from Costco for basically the same devices with a few less bells and whistles. So you see even if Costco were terrible, which they're not, it would be them or almost not hearing. Hearing aids are horribly over priced for what you get and way to fragile. Sad.
That's what I was going to comment. His experience at Costco is no worse than what most people get at their professional audiologist for double or triple the cost. I'd take my chances at Costco for $1500.
Price gouging on steroids. Large Top of the line, smart televisions and lap top computers are a fraction of the cost of tiny hearing aids.
My hearing aids are made in Germany. I bought them through the internet and they were on sale. They are very good, I don’t have that problem, and they are not expensive at all. They were on sale for $100.00 per set, so I bought two sets in case that I loose the one I am using. It is cordless and you cannot see it. I am very happy with those hearing aids.
I just got my hearing aids from Costco last Friday (it’s Tuesday at the time of this post).
I went to two different audiologists here in my home town. Both checked and determined I had mild to severe hearing loss and both wanted $8000 + for aids...I didn't have $8000 nor did I have insurance and so I had to pass. A friend told me about Costco so I went there. I was also diagnosed with mild to severe hearing loss and after the 1 hour test I received Kirkland 9.0 for $1399 and I can hear now.
I know that Audiologists have overhead and nowhere near the volume of clients that Costco has but give us a break. MOST people who need hearing aids do not have that kind of loot lying around and cannot afford to have payments taken from their monthly income.
All we want is to be able to hear what is around us without putting ourselves and families in debt for years.
I know that there could not be $6600 difference between your and theirs. I can hear a pin drop now for $1399 so until these companies quit trying to make their Porsche payments off of one set of hearing aids, Costco will be getting the most business.
I know what your saying my local hearing office I did try 3 places they all did great testing. The problem is pricing all around $6.500 to $7.500. I just don’t have the funds. Hopefully Costco well see. Thank You
There is absolutely no logical reason for insurance companies (looking at you Medicare) to not cover hearing aids. None...
The prices are insulting to our intelligence. How is it that a large high definition television, premium desktop computer, gaming consoles, smart phones etc. All cost only a fraction of what a tiny hearing aid costs? All of these advanced electronic devices prices comes down over time. Not the case with the tiny hearing aids. Far more electronic circuitry, GPU's, memory chips, screens, batteries etc go into these devices. Yet somehow the tiny hearing aids remains 3, 4, 5 times the cost. Make it make sense.
My first hearing test was from my ENT when I first noticed hearing loss. I was thinking of getting my HAs there, but the wait would have been something like 6 months (and this was years before covid)! So for my first hearing aids I visited a couple of different highly rated audiologists in my town and selected one of them to get HAs. I was happy with the service, the device quality, and my hearing improvement, but I always felt like I paid too much for what I was getting (I think it was around $5000).
A few months later while I was still in my return period I learned about Costco hearing aids, so I decided to switch. I’m glad I did. Really the only difference was the price. Everything else, and most importantly my hearing improvement, was pretty much the same as with $1600 HAs instead of $5000 HAs.
But yes, there are hundreds of Costco hearing aid professionals and obviously they won’t all be great. The good thing is there’s a 180 day return policy so no penalty in giving them a try.
I’m glad I went the more expensive route first, because if I’d gone to Costco first I might always have been wondering if spending more would have gotten me more.
On my experience at Costco in NW Ohio, I had great service from them. My KS 10’s were perfectly tuned and everything went smoothly.
As a wearer of hearing aids since the early 70s both in the ear and behind the ear. Here's my unrequested advice. If you can afford the difference always get custom ear molds! I can put anything in my ears, Bobbie pins, Qtips or anything thing else. Except for the ear nubs that come with most bhe hearing aids. They are terrible. I called my local Costco and was told that the molds for my paradise 90s were approximately $50 for the pair.
Wait really that's good 😁
Heading to Costco this afternoon. Was at an audiologist on Monday. Very good exam, and took a lot of time explaining things to me. ( This will be my first set of hearing aids) There is no question I would do business with him if he wasn't over 200% higher than Costco.
I'm very lucky that money isn't a big issue, but the difference between $1600 and 5k for the same aids is hard to overlook ! I've had several friends tell me they have had great luck at Costco, so I'm at least giving it a try.
@@michaelz5297 No true - Costco caries a variety of models - their KS10 is same a Phonak Paradise P90 which is a high end device. Yes for some type of hearing loss you may need a higher end device -- however if you cant afford it it does not make a difference.
The one my Shutter Health Hearing AId specilist recommended for $3500 each was $2250 each at another hearing aid specialist in the neighbourhood - so you can see that two professional hearing aid specialist have price difference of $2500 for a pair!!! SO the margin on these things are huge!! Now I feel sad for the hearing aid professionals - but it is their ridiculously high prices that let costco become so popular.
For many common hearing loss the KS10 is fine. I am now testing a widex moment 440 against a KS10 and will see how they perform against each other. I will report here. Turns out my hearing aid is covered by insurance and costco is not in-network so mine may be cheaper buying from a hearing aid specialist. Hopefully shutterhealth will match the $2250 price of another hearing aid specialist in the neighborhood.
Wrt to the testing itself - the costco's prescription is identical to the one at Sutterhealth. Also the Costco specialist did more tests (for example he did additional word tests that confirmed first part of the measurement showed). So for me the Costco's hearing test was more thorough than the one from the Shutter health hearing aid department. As I said since my hearing aid is covered by insurance I am likely to buy from a hearing aid specialist (such as Shutterhealth) unless the KS10 beats the one recommended by the hearing aid specialist.
My first pair of HA’s cost over $6,000,. My second pair from Costco were a fraction of that but comparable in quality. I think they where fitted properly and in subsequent visits adjusted to meet my needs. Parts and service ave been responsive and cost free.
Can you say which Costco location(s) provided great service to you?
I just received my new Phillips hearing devices from Costco. At El Centro CA. I previously had the Kirkland Signature brand hearing devices. We started two weeks prior to receiving the new devices wit a hearing test. The lady that performed the hearing test was extremely thorough and very professional she explained everything in detail made me feel very comfortable. Then she recommended the Phillips brand hearing devices. Now after having them for4 days I am extremely satisfied with them. I can hear again. Thank god and Costco. The price was very reasonable. I have been talking to several hearing aid centers and some of them are just a scam. Because they only want to talk about money and financing. The last one is still sending me text messages even after me telling her that I already purchased hearing aids. I hope that this will help someone. I would go back to that hearing aids center, because i am very satisfied and got a good experience.
Now do one of the local retail chains like HearingLife, and a private practice!
Just dropped my KS 10 hearing aids (Phonak Adeo) under the 5 year warranty for service. Every time I’m shopping in Costco I drop them off for service. They clean and fit new domes at no charge. The service providers are all licensed and do real ear measurements. Any time I need adjustments they are provided for free. The staff is anchored by a board certified audiologist. My hearing aids have been great and sold to me at very low a price . So bottom line, great service at a great price. Saved me a ton of money probably in the the neighborhood of $4,000
Had my test done both at Costco and with a hearing aid audiologist. Both came up with the same graph.
I have had experience at two Costcos, have bought two different sets of hearing aids there over the years. I have had audiograms and purchased hearing aids elsewhere, so I have a basis for comparison. My experiences at Costco have been wholly positive, I find their personnel friendly and professional, and of course their prices are way better than competitive with conventional stores.
I like your fairness in your videos, that said I was surprised you only shopped one Costco store.
If you got a poor experience at the Costco closest to you, it would have been a better secret shopper test to at least visit another store to get a more accurate result.
Great review as always doc interesting perspective as well 😁
I am awaiting my fitting appointment at my local Costco. Ironic but the Hearing Aid Specialist used to work for an Audiologist I used to go to. From there, she worked at Miracle Ear before coming to this Costco. I had seen an Audiologist a few weeks prior and their Audiogram was pretty close to the one I got at Costco. I was recommended either Rexton or Phillips RIC aids. Now I have had hearing aids since 1956, so I was kind of experienced in what to expect. The Audiologist I had seen (thru my Medicare Advantage plan) suggested ReSound One 5's using 312 batteries. These Rexton are recharable and costing me $!,800 a pair whereas the Resound would have cost me $2,050. I currently have Seimens Insio 7 Binax CIC hearing aid models. This will be my first time without custom molds. All in all, I'm satisfied with my Costco experience...
so well done and thorough explanation and video on this subject shopping for hearing aid for my dad after being unsatisfied for years with his hearing aid services and what you explain here lent to some ideas of why that is possible. thank you again so much
I'm preparing to get my first hearing aid experience. Evaluation, products, fit and matching my personal deficit correctly is important. This was valuable in understanding the land mines in front
It would be interesting to see a vlog, where You perform such a consultation, fittings follow-ups.. Real Pro!! ❤️
Costco in my area, Edison, NJ, performed Real Ear Measurement. My mom is very satisfied with the overall experience and the hearing aids.
Thank you for this! I have a hearing aid consultation in February.
Hey Dr. Cliff - I find that getting tympanometry done really depends on the Costco you're at. In Canada, the Costco I got my hearing aids from has a board certified Audiologist who does tympanograms. What you should have said here is that it's more hit and miss depending on which Costco you go to. Others may just employ HIS, and others may have Audi's+HIS'.
Hello! Interesting video. Can you explain how proper masking should have been done on this audiogram please?
I got my Kirkland 10s in Humble,Tx and everything went well and I am pleased with the hearing aids and the overall experience. The price was affordable.
About how much is "affordable?"
Much less than the audiologist provides in the video
@@michaelz5297, what does the $3,000 HA provide that the $1,500 Costco does not?
We are thinking of going to the Humble Costco to buy hearing aids for the wife. After three months are you still happy with the experience? Have you had to go back for adjustments, and did that go better and provide a better hearing experience? TIA!
@@sfields6903 yes
Excellent to the process and the problems of getting proper fitted. One very important point is the variability based on location (professional care) and equipment. I was fitted in a Southern California Costco of their top of the line KS 10-T. As a hearing aid technician not a Dr of Audiology, there is a script they follow is the key. Most of the bad marks failures Cliff mentioned did NOT happen with me. I had the benefit of this video, your info sheet on Best Practices and experience with being fitted with premium HAs before. I also had my previous audiograms to compare. Maybe Costco corporate updated their script after this review. Virtually all Best Practices were hit. So far, so good. And the compromise is a pretty attractive package. The KS 10.0 made an amazing result.
Wow their so many things to know about hearing aids. I love seeing your videos you’re so professional. Thank you for explaining what’s good or bad on hearing aids💕🙂👏🏼👍🏻
Thank you for this information. What are you thoughts on Audien brand "hearing aids"?
Very knowledgeable and understandable...
Great video thank you. People need to keep in mind that service levels from people really come down to the providers personal commitment to be the best at what they do. Doesn’t matter if they are a Dr or a construction worker, if they don’t want or care to be the best and learn what they don’t know, they just won’t provide a high level of service compared to someone who does. Many people are ok with that and never reach and exceptional level job competency or service. The difficulty in this case is you only have a short period of time to figure out who is who and which service you’ll get. As you said, I always believe service levels and competencies will vary by the person the company most of the time. Thank you for the videos, it’s helping me decide what I want to do about my hearing loss.
Party, yrs. But the tech in this story clearly wasn't trained properly. Or if he was, he didn't retain it. .
There's a lot of good info here. I was fitted with KS 5.0 aids at Costco in 2014. At the time I knew next to nothing about hearing aids. I don't know how the fitting process compared with other hearing centers, but I do feel I was given good service; the person paid a lot of attention to detail and made an excellent effort to explain everything he was doing. The KS 5.0 aids still work to improve my hearing. In fact, I'm going back to Costco to see if my audiogram has changed and if I would benefit from having the KS 5.0 aids reprogrammed. When the time comes to replace KS 5s I'll look again at Costco's offerings.
Good points about one certain location, Dr. Cliff. Send your assistant to Winston-Salem, NC and she will have a different result. Not all Costco stores can do things right, and from my personal experience, not all private AuDs can program a hearing aid correctly. Those of us with hearing problems just have to keep looking until we find someone who can do it right. Thanks for your continued work on these videos.
This is unfortunate. There are many parts of this that made me cringe as a senior hearing instrument specialist at Costco. I also train dispensers in my area, on top of mentoring new apprentices. Cliff, you provide so much valuable information for patients and professionals alike. I wish more Costco dispensers subbed to this channel. I tell everyone I can about you. We are in the empowerment business, but clients shouldn't need to feel like they're fitting themselves with hearing aids. As for the testing, I would have also graded that an F. I was shaking my head the whole time. We have a detailed case history to help strike the conversation of wants, needs, and important considerations about the patient's difficulties. A COSI questionnaire is also extremely useful. QuickSIN should also be commonplace. We have the ability. Costco, as a whole, needs to continue to improve the quality of care. Thanks for this review!
Hey Bo, I start my new position as a hearing aid apprentice at my Costco location tomorrow. I’ve been following Cliff and watch his videos before I even had the interview. They are just so informative and he does such a great job on them. What info could you give me on what to concentrate on in the first few weeks as an apprentice. I want to become a very good dispenser and well informed on the hearing aid business inside of Costco. Thanks
@@chriseddy7992 It’s all in the details. Follow the apprentice program and try to understand the “why” behind everything you learn. If you’re constantly expanding your knowledge of the craft, you will be successful. Never stop learning.
I got my hearing aids from Costco and love them and after 6+ years still do. However with the new features, I am going to get the Kirkland Signature 10. I have been to several hearing Dept,s at Costco,s and find a bid difference in the staff.
Just had a hearing exam at Costco in Memphis, TN this week and had a pair of the KS10 hearing aids fitted. The person doing the testing and fitting is no an Audiologist. I am a first time hearing aid user and only previously had a hearing exam at a local hearing center in the city I live in Arkansas. Both hearing tests showed a mild to moderate hearing loss and the local test was not as complete of an exam as the Costco one. The local test consisted only of playing the beeps into my ears and then progressed to talking about the only hearing aid that my Truhearing insurance would cover. At this point, I decided to drive the 80 miles to Costco.
As far as I know, the Costco exam was a complete test and the tester explained what he was doing during the test. I was told I had moderate high frequency loss in my left ear and the right ear had a problem where two frequencies were not reaching the ear drum. I was asked if I had seen an ENT and encouraged to see one. I was also told that a copy of my test would be sent to an ENT and that the ENT would more than likely tell me to get hearing aids as my only recourse. The tester told me he didn't need an ENT approval to fit me with hearing aids so the decision was made to fit me with the KS10 as this was the only hearing aid the hearing center had in stock. We did discuss my hearing problem situations and the other hearing aids that Costco had available. I was told that the KS10 and Jabra would probably be best for my situation and we discussed the pros & cons of each. The tester preferred the Jabra and explained each in detail. As the Jabra needed to be ordered and would take about a week to arrive and then would need another fitting appointment, I decided to get fitted with the KS10 then and try these out as I can return the KS10 and try the Jabra if I choose. Real ear measurements were used and I have to assume these were done correctly. My ears were measured for a dome size and I was shown how to change the domes and wax filters. I don't know if the hearing aids were tested to see if any mechanical issues. I was shown how to put the hearing aids in and out of my ears and it was pointed out I wasn't getting the receiver in far enough. I went out in the Costco to test these out and then the tester helped me connect the hearing aids to the BT and app on my Pixel 4a phone. No follow up appointment was made but I was told it would take my brain a little bit to get used to hearing the high frequencies I had been missing and to come back if any questions or concerns. My experience so far, just 3 days, show some flaky BT connections but Google shows these to be a Phonak issue in general and not yet a deal breaker.
While I haven't yet been in all of the situations I had problems in, I can tell that Issues around my home have greatly improved and will be back in an airport in a couple of weeks to see if that situation has improved. Overall, I am satisfied with the Costco hearing center experience that I had.
Love Lucas West at the Rego Park Costco Hearing Center 👍
Thank you Lucas for all your patience to a very needy patient.
BTW, we always go to an ENT first.
Great video. Most informative. I went ahead and tried the Kirkland Signature top model for $1400. You get what you pay for, and these hearing aids sounded tinny and much like a 1960 transistor radio. I will return them, per the guarantee. Also, there is no balanced sound, everything comes into theft ear. The worst issue is the dizziness I've gotten with these devices. I'll try HearUSA. They offer Oticon.
Your review is looking like a hit job on the competition.
Hi! I've had a couple hearing evaluations in early 2022. I know that I need earing aids and that I'll need testing prior to actually purchasing hearing aids. That isn't my question. My question is can I wear my Shokz Bone Conduction headset when wearing in the canal hearing aids? Thanks!
!!! I was just about to schedule an appointment at Costco for hearing aids , so I am glad I watched you first. That being said, can you recommend a company or Dr. down here in Tucson Az.? Cost isn't my number one concern but getting it right the first time would be.
You don't know what you don’t know. Most of us have no idea if we're getting good care. In a city like Phoenix, you have many Costco stores to choose from, so you could try some others if you want to. Many people have only one Costco, so they're stuck with what they get.
I used a Costco in Gilbert AZ, and feel I got good care for my needs (thus far.)
Great information, thanks for sharing. What is the best way to find an audiologist in my area that will provide the service that you describe?
I wasn’t sure about the whole process at Costco so I gave them a call. They told me there are two types of appointments one is 30 minutes and the other is 90 minutes. The 90 minute appointment being more comprehensive of course. After watching this video I can’t believe any 30 or 45 minute appointment would be appropriate. The Costco where I go to has a backlog of appointments. To get into the 90 minute appointment is going to take about 3 weeks. Once you choose the right hearing aids for you it can take up to an additional 3 weeks to get them in. I had this unrealistic expectation I could walk in there and out the same day with a set of hearing aids.
thanks for all the infro
Oh honey you should see the tests I got for the military. My hearing loss went undiagnosed for years, and it was only til I was out and fed up with not hearing stuff and actively went out to get my hearing thoroughly checked out that I started to get some answers. To be fair I probably am hard to test too since I have a bit of tinnitus that I think muddies the tone test, and I also have low frequency loss with the rest of my hearing in the normal to good range. So despite having increasing trouble hearing people I can still pick out those super high tones that people think only those with good hearing can hear. Anyway. It’s been very emotional to finally have real hard data to explain why despite functioning compleatly normally otherwise I just couldn’t hear people speak. I thought it was my fault for not being able to focus on what people were saying, so having my journey finally end with my audiologist telling me that I need hearing aids was actually pretty validating despite it being a bit of a bummer. I’m just glad I can hear speech and conversations with my new Phonaks. It’s been a game changer. Sorry this turned into a real rant here, but I have had this undiagnosed problem for years and it’s finally being treated seriously.
You can get a 95% score based on 20 data points (19 out of 20). The result does not imply 100 data points.
I caught that too. Unless he didn’t explain correctly you can have 95% on about any number of questions.
On the hearing aid selection topic, I recall filling out a multipage form which asked questions about:
Why I was seeking hearing aids
Were there specific features I wanted
What situations were problematic
and so on...
I assume that is a standard Costco form.
The hearing aid specialist reviewed that form with me during the initial appointment, and we established that while I preferred a hearing aid that was fully automated, I was comfortable with and interested in all the gewgaws - multiple modes, links to iPhone and TV, etc.
Many of the questions on that form seemed relevant to the selection of devices, and though we did discuss my answers, it seemed like the specialist could have done a reasonable job of picking the right device purely based on the test results and the contents of my form.
I filled out a form like that too. The questions also asked whether I wanted "invisible" aids, rechargeable or with replaceable batteries, and whether I needed Apple or Android connectivity or both. So there was no need to spend time discussing that. Had Dr. Cliff's assistant not filled out a similar form?
I am pretty disappointed to see no response on this. One of your major criticisms was a lack of patient input into the selection process, but it appears (based on my experience) that you can't even start the appointment without providing a reasonable amount of input via the questionnaire.
Thanks!
This is what I tell my patients about Costco. 1. They are hearing aids with some features removed. We can look at which features are removed and see if the patient finds that valuable 2. Your Costco hearing aids can only be programmed at Costco. other providers outside of Costco do not have access to the kirkland software 3. In Canada Costco doesn't do any third party billing (No OSDP, WSIB, VAC, etc). 4. In Canada, Costco doesn't sell Cros systems 5. Every time you have a problem with your hearing aid, you have to go to Costco (and risk spending $500 on stuff you don't need 6. Costco doesn't proactively book you your annual service appointments and they aren't free after a certain length of time. I have colleagues that I know that work at Costco and they love it (very little pressure to sell, decent pay with benefits, but you have to commit to working some weekend hours).
All are very accurate except for #1 and #2. Costco hearing aids are no longer defeatured and they have not been locked for years.
Nicely done.
Concur 101%. I am in Edmonton, Canada. My experience is almost the same as your assistant experienced at their 149th st NW outlet. Added to that, the practitioner turned rude and unaccommodating towards the end. I ended-up returning the units as iPod Air was getting me better results.
I have nothing but positive things to say about Costco. The provider really loves what he is doing and wants his clients to have a good experience with their hearing instruments. No question I had was silly and I had many. This Costco is in Maryland and I sent two of my friends there and they were quite happy. A full thumbs up for Costco.
Louise could you mention which Costco in Maryland? Thanks
@@mahnrut Barbara , Costco is in Glen Burnie off Ordnance Road.
I have sent 3 of my friend to costco for hearing aid and they were all happy with the hearing aids and service.
I have Costco hearing aids and I kinda agree with you I’ve had hearing test done at locations where they’re supposed to be done right the one I had at Costco was not done the way that they were done but I accept it cost code and I got their hearing aids And I still got them but I don’t go in every two years for a check up or tuneup or anything else because it takes too long to get there so you got a point about Costco I mean they’re there for the money and just to get the people in and get them out
If one were to do a similar review at 100 audiologists and hearing centers I wouldn’t be surprised if half failed the test or got less than stellar reviews. Plus, the user is the final judge of how they sound even if all the tests etc say otherwise.
I totally agree! Approximately less than 20% of hearing care providers follow Best Practices, and even less follow BPs and use a Person-Centered care approach to treatment. It's definitely a widespread issue that Costco is a part of along with many retail clinics and private practice clinics.
@@DrCliffAuD when can we expect your video exposing these type outlets?
@@TheMrprez Exactly.
The user, especially the first time, is unequipped to judge whether or not she got the best possible result. Provided there are no obvious problems, she will put them on and hear better. Result! Only later (and only maybe) she might realize not enough high frequency is being captured or it's not normal to have that much background noise. It's a crap shoot.
I was fitted with a pair of Jabra Enhance Pro 20 at Costco for $1599 including the premium charger. Essentially the same as the Resound Nexia 9 rechargeable hearing aids for $3598 - $4598 depending on whether you purchase them online, in a clinic, or with an insurance discount + $99 - $299 for the premium charger. The service and results have been significantly better than the RN-9 I tried for 30 days from an online provider for less than 1/2 the cost.
I have an appointment for a hearing test at my local Costco. Is there any way to tell whether my Hearing Center does a good job?
Next appointment I'm going to have to tell them that my hearing test was somehow done wrong (it exaggerated my loss in all frequencies, so I've been overcorrected), having already previously pointed out that the initial domes were not capable enough and identifying other configuration mistakes that have happened thus far.
So do I regret going to Costco for hearing aids? Not at all; the cost is obviously a winner + unlimited free follow-ups will eventually make this right, even if I have to do some of their job for them & point out mistakes along the way. Plus I get to enjoy a cheap Costco lunch each time I go!
Good stuff I was not aware. I will look up a private profession.
I had a hearing aid dispenser test my hearing at Costco. To be honest it was more thorough than my Sharp health plan. I was in there for an hour easy.. The Kirkland was recommended as it worked with my Android device. Prior to this I had a pair of 8 yr old Phonak which being non rechargeable and smaller were far inferior in voice clarity. To be honest a new model would be better and improved. She performed the bone test also. I'm pleased with my Kirkland 10.0's but have no doubts a dedicated hearing clinic could dial in my hearing loss and recommend the proper device. I do miss the Phonak 312 size.
Is the Costco Hearing aid capable of correcting moderate to severe hearing loss? if adjusted correctly?
FWIW, the evaluation that I got at Costco in Ontario, Canada in Dec. 2021 was performed by an Audiologist and included tympanometry. I'm going in for an evaluation at Costco in Saitama, Japan on Monday; will update here how that goes in case anyone is interested.
Nope not interested 😴.... Just kidding 😂😂😂 lol yes I love to know what Canada is like and Japan is like comparing to America hearing Aides Audiologist Hearing center Dealers is .
Thank you for your honesty. I am also a physician. I understand about people's complaints...lol
"She probably would have went . . ." Seriously, you're a Doctor!
Grammar rules often seem to be forgotten.
Thank you for your service Dr.
Thanks, I hate my Phonak hearing aids because ever times I working my home field with sweaty from my head and hair toward on top hearing aids thru inside battery compartment blocked batteries air cell holes and shut hearing off and build up batteries rusty so quickly plus, sweaty filling on top microphones/filters is blocking sounds. Also, I have to drive 2 hours to hearing aid office to adjusts digital at 30 times in the last two years. This is a terrible hearing aids to Phonak. I had Oticon last me 20 years and it was traditional system was easy adjusting setting.
Also, I cannot have wireless charger because I live in a rural area with the constantly electric power off for days.
Would it help to ask if the Costco I choose has an audiologist doing testing, fitting etc? The closest Costco is 3 hours by car while there are several more if I drive 2 more hours. I would be cheated if I have the same experience as your assistant.
Another point about Costco is that the physical setup of the space and the ambience is off-putting. The sound booths are microscopic. I accompanied my 90+ year old Mom for her testing and fitting and three people in the tiny room was completely claustrophobic. And there is no "waiting area" at all, only two chairs in the whole operation, and all kinds of ambient noise from being in the middle of a Costco store. Further, there is a large sign in the soundproof both stating the limitations of Costco's service---pretty much saying that we are not diagnosing medical conditions but just selling hearing aids. And if you come for a hearing test with any wax accumulated in your ears, they will not remove it. This drove my Mom crazy.
Hello sir I would like to ask if there is a chance that my baby can hear. Because the doctor said that she will not hear anymore but he said we need a second opinion..
She cannot hear but she can speak like (mama/ amam) like that. Hope you notice sir. 🙏
From philipines.
I had my ears tested at the Costco Store in Selma, Texas. I have poor results wearing over the ear devices from providers other than Costco and wanted CIC. I was totally satisfied with the Audiologist at this Costco as he’s been there for well over 10 years. Because of my small ear canal in my right ear we went with the Phonak CIC and Phonak recommended one with a cushioned type cover. Loved how they fit until the cushioned cover became had. Costco sent me home with the heater and suggested I use nightly after after opening the battery area. When the Audiologist contacted Phonak they apologized for not telling the Audiologist not to use the heater. The Audiologist has returned the device to Phonak several times, has taken numerous canal impressions and Phonak just can’t get the fit right! Have also noticed no longer has CIC Hearing AIDS on display. Is Costco stopped recommending CIC aides?
Custom takes more time. I believe they still do them, but I could be wrong.
@@DrCliffAuD Had a 10 AM appointment 13 August with Dr. Scott Lanford, Regional Audiology Manager. Probably a “Best Practices Audiologist” you would highly recommend. He’s currently here in San Antonio, working with EARGO, talking to individuals who have reached out to EARGO about their aides. I have and EARGO scheduled my appointment. He performed a very extensive Audiology Evaluation with a Audiology Report showing I should not have been fitted with Phonak CIC aids and should not be fitted EARGO aids. I believe I’ve heard you say in a UA-cam Video, “Fit the patient in the aids for his current hearing condition, not fitted with aids he wants”. Maybe not an exact quote. Dr. Lanford will be calling mid week to fit me for BTE aids.
@@DrCliffAuD Does CIC stands for custom In canal ? 🤔
@@richardscaggs5936 CIC stands for Completely in the Canal and the only ones smaller are called IIC which stands for Invisible in the Canal.
Almost went there. Thanks. Even though it’s going to cost me more money I’m thinking I should go to the pros are set up along side of my ENT. Both of their offices are in the sane office as well. Your thoughts on this Dr. Cliff?
I also had a horrible experience; only difference being I brought my own hearing test results. The "specialist" typed some things into a computer and talked about not needing an expensive brand to get good results. They then proceeded to give me a pair and told me to walk around the store, which I did, however, the feedback was horrible. Something didn't seem right, almost like they were the over the counter 'amplifiers' and not actual hearing adds. When I told him, he said to walk outside as well and spend a little longer in the store with them on. This went on for another 3 "adjustments," but with the same results. I finally had enough and went to a certified hearing center. In the end I did get a fairly 'expensive' brand, but the difference is astounding. They work phenomenally; big life changing experience.
Hearing aids are a personal thing and take a while to get used to them and by that time your audiologist will want you to upgrade after 6 years. Stick with what you have got if you are happy with your hearing aids. If you do change, it will be back to the starting line again. Keep
your hearing aids away from water, even though they say they are waterproof.
I have conductive hearing lost. I have had 2 tympanoplasties in each ear. And my hearing keeps returning within 5 years. AM I being unreasonable to just want to be done with surgeries and get hearing aids? Btw, I'm 40.
I think it would be fair to give Costco hearing aid center another chance. It's obvious the provider was inexperienced. But Costco rocks and I'm sure they have very capable providers. Thank you for the videos. I'm learning a lot.
You are totally missing the point.
@@fvulpe9503 please elaborate
I love Costco Bearing Centers. Great price great service for over 10 years.
I like also because I can go in there and have a appointment on a Saturday or 7 in the evening .
I don’t have to interrupt my work schedule . And I can do it while looking for other stuff. Also I get wax. Build up and I have just dropped in and they will tell me if my ears have it or not .
Also years ago I dropped my aid and it got run over by a car , they replaced it for free.
I also like the Cosco environment because ias a teacher it’s a better place to test it out lots of stuff going on . In a lot of places that are pretty quiet I can’t tell if it works well or not
Your assistant received service characterized by my absolute pet peeve in sales and service associates today-making up answers when they don't know the actual facts. These people need to learn to say "I don't know" instead of blithely inventing non-sensical or outright wrong statements.
But is all of that worth paying an extra $5000.00?
Very interesting and educational. But, as noted by Cliff, this was a single provider and patient. I have to also note that phases I & II (testing and model recommendation) was very much what I experienced with an oncologist in an ear, nose, throat medical group that was connected to a major NYC hospital. They never did Real Ear (maybe not available then). They spent 30 seconds telling me which hearing aid I should get. A Unitron Moxi Fit. Cost to me: $4000 / ear. That is a total of $8,000.
I had same & worse experiences with 2 Costco's. I've worn HAs for 35 years. Worst service ever
My wife had a hearing test at Costco and was satisfied with her test and it compared well with her audiologist test. She purchased a set of hearing aids at our local Costco in La Mesa CA and so far she is on her second set in less than six months and now they just went out again, she is waiting for Monday to get an appointment. So far she is unhappy with the performance of them. Sure she will get a new set again but she doesn’t find them reliable. We like to travel and is not good thing that they go out so often.
I wonder what you mean by "go out". I have had mine run out of battery because I used up the power listening to the radio through my phone app to HA. I have had mine disconnect from the app, but they reconnected when I rebooted my phone. Haven't ever had the hearing aids quit working.
I have Phonak Audeo marvel hearing aids and find them to be very good, except that as a church organist, when I play low bass notes on the pedal board, the hearing aids reduce the amplification and I can hardly hear what I am playing. Can this be corrected by changing the settings by my audiologist or is it a fault of the hearing aids?
It depends on exactly which hearing aids you have, how they’ve been programmed, and the knowledge and competence of your audiologist. The first thing you should do is ask your audiologist.
Montgomery Alabama Costco followed best practice method,and after 10 months of use and a couple of visits for fine tuning,I will give them 5 stars out of 5 for all aspects of services.
Kirkland 9.0 r I c left and right
Are outstanding for me,will definitely recommend this Costco location
That's awesome for everyone in Montgomery Alabama. Could you share the name of your provider so others in your area can go to them?
Wish i lived in Arizona, would definitely want your help with my hearing loss :)
I went to an audiologist my doctor referred me to. I had a full exam, I took the results to Costco here in Maryland. The provider studied my test results and then went from there … he also was wearing the Kirkland Signature hearing aid and knew everything about the instrument, but showed me the other brands. He worked and listened to all my questions and concerns and I was in there for more than 45 min. I did go back two weeks later to see how I was doing with them. It has been 3 months and I go back next month for another follow-up. This provider loves what he does and is very anxious he do the best job for me. The only problem was how busy he was and getting an appt., is hard, he is so backup. I love my Kirkland hearing aids and feel like I am in a whole new world when I put them in every morning.
Erie, Colorado: technician was 15 minutes late, pleasant but perfunctory. Audiometry test showed moderate to severe loss in both ears at 4k. I explained that tinnitus which often reached painful levels of intensity, blocked sound. Technician said I should go to ent or audiologist. Explanation of test results was minimal. That was it. No further information. I felt she was glad to see the last of me. I left confused. This service was not close to the high standards of professionalism and personal concern I'v found in the eye care Costco provides. The prices and the devices may be great, but without accurate testing and skilled fitting, that's irrelevant.
Got my hearing aids from Costco a month ago. Great fit and great price!! I wear these all the time, my previous pair from a hearing aid center I would seldom wear. I understand in the US we pay twice as much for hearing aids then in Europe. I am told that congress passed a law that is supposed to take effect in 2020 that will make hearing aids less expensive all around. It seems that Costco had gotten there already.
Glad you are doing well with your Costco devices. Your stats about the US paying twice as much isn't entirely accurate. The Healthcare system in Europe is completely different. Many have hearing aids that are covered by the government. The OTC Hearing Aid Act of 2017 still has not taken effect in the US. Costco just sells devices at a much lower cost due to their purchasing power and retail business model.
I been a Costco customer for over 10 years. I have a pair of Rextons hearing aids I bought several years ago at Costco that I did not hear well with. When our whole Costco hearing aid was recently switched with another store, my new Costco audiologist told me the Rextons I bought have a warble in the middle of words. Have you ever heard that? I bought a new pair of Phillips hearing aids for $1500 bc I needed a pair to wear at night while my Rextons charged up. My hearing is so bad I can’t hear my alarms without hearing aids. Im hearing much better now with the Phillips hearing aids. I’ve not got insurance for hearing aids so Costco has been a savings for me.
Do you think Rextons have a warble in the middle of words.
try a vibrating alarm clock. they are cheap and I much prefer being woken by that instead of an alarm, but you can set it for one or the other, or both.
Thanks for your videos. Is the latest Costco hearing aid the Kirkland ks10, a Phonak Paradise P90. Have some of the functions been removed or limited?
So here is my thing with Costco here in Canada 🇨🇦 I am up for new hearing aids soon. I like the Kirkland 10. Do I part ways with my hearing provider? I always receive incredible service and can pretty much get in the same day if I have any issues. Is that service worth $4000.00? I called Costco to set up a hearing appointment. I got a recorded message with no call back after a day.
I agree with your review.
I am blind but I am a heavy braille reader. I just wish I could get the transcripts of all these videos you make, as I comprehend so much more reading than listening. Thanks for your wonderful videos.
I have the closed captions that I can download and send to you. Would that help?
That will help me tremendously sure thing. I cannot read the captioning on yououtube. Do you want my email so that you can download it there? Thanks again.
Since I have an appointment at Costco, this review was a little disturbing. However, I did get my current hearing aids from an actual audiologist. They’re about 9 years old now, so their technology is old. But when I bought them, they were one of Starkey’s higher-end offerings. The audiologist clearly had no clue how to get the best performance out of them, and it took many visits before I finally gave up. It was also really annoying that $4500 didn’t even give me the option of programming them myself (I’m an engineer who spent a lot of his career working on digital audio signal processing), and that the only way to access the programming interface was to go back to this guy who had clearly failed to keep up with the state of the art. (He kept having to call tech support to find the answers to my questions.).
I chose to try Costco this time because I figured that if getting the best experience was going to be a craps-shoot anyway, I might as well pay a couple of $K less.
I’m stating to look for hearing aids and all this proprietary BS and exclusive products just slays me. Sounds like a bunch of pirates running the market. I’m like you I understand all this stuff and wan’t to be able to tweak them myself.
I think the hearing aid industry (not you) should provide a rational for why hearing aids dispensed from a non-Costco practice are so expensive. Why does a decent hearing aid cost sometimes 2-3x as much as a decent laptop computer or high end phone? I have long had the impression that the hearing aid industry (in general, not you, and I appreciate the valuable service that your videos provide) is fueled by greed. Please let me know what you think of my perceptions.
You smell a rat? I smell a cartel, very cosy, plus a lot of seemingly wealthy and naive customers...and much carefully disguised sales promotion masquerading as honest, caring professional advice. Time for a shake up maybe?