hearingt aids, whats new, who is the cheapest

[Faststeel]

well it has come upon me that my aids are broken and unrepairable and of course new and improved seem to be rediculously expensive. Its like the whole pricing schedule is based on EVERYONE having medcal insurance.
Anyone found the best buy place for hearing aids, thanks FS

[cranky]

Costco cheapest by far. And despite what some will say they are the same product all the hearing stores use. Warrantee is also best etc. Highly recommend them. Saved me more than half.

[riden]

Originally Posted by cranky

Costco cheapest by far. And despite what some will say they are the same product all the hearing stores use. Warrantee is also best etc. Highly recommend them. Saved me more than half.

Honest question..... how would you know?

I am new to hearing aids, but it really does seem that a year or two difference in technology does make a substantial difference. How can you tell you're getting. recent technology?

[Yycadm]

He is right, though. I've had them for 6 years, now. They tend to be like cars or smartphones; they all have the latest digital technology, some just have different bells & whistles.
Costco's products are sourced nationally in quantity which almost no other retailer can do at the same volume, and their pricing philosophy passes most of that saving on. The aids I got the last time at Costco were almost $2000 cheaper than at the shop the audiologist suggested. They are IDENTICAL, other than the brand name; samw looks, same specs, everythng.
You can spend a fortune on "accessories" like remote controls (for hearing aids. why in Gods name anyone would need or want a remote control I have no idea, but) for $1200 or go cute with the in the ear aids with abyssimal battery life and poor performance, but for good, top quality behind the ear hearing aids, and excellent warranty, I've never seen anyone beat Costco, and both my parent wore aids for the last 25 years of their lives. They each had one pair from somewhere else, and Costco from then on

[riden]

Thanks for the answer.

Not to hijack too bad. Is blutooth worth the money?

[happy honker]

what ?

[skidderman]

A fellow I worked with lost one of his $3500 hearing aids. Replaced it with one from Costco and said there was little to no difference. I had one from Costco a few yrs ago & need another. Won't look anywhere else. Do what you want though!!!

[cranky]

Originally Posted by riden

Honest question..... how would you know?

I am new to hearing aids, but it really does seem that a year or two difference in technology does make a substantial difference. How can you tell you're getting. recent technology?

There are only so many outfits manufacturing hearing aids. Im not sure a guy would know even if you went to regular hearing aid store except for looking them up on the internet and comparing. Frankly from the prices they want at regular stores it seems they are only interested in charging you as much as they can so a guy cant trust them anyhow.

And i think in the end there is only so much tech that can go into these things and they are still not perfect, just like glasses arent perfect,though better than nothing, but not perfect. Not sure this helps you or not.

[Faststeel]

hey guys thanks alot costco it shall be...FS

[cranky]

Originally Posted by Faststeel

hey guys thanks alot costco it shall be...FS

Yup book a appointment with the Costco audiologist at the store you deal with. Its a free consultation and they wont force anything on you. No selling is done, they are not on commission so dont matter to them if you buy or not.

You get to go back as many times as you need to get them all adjusted up, though i never had to as mine have been great from the gitgo. They will give you extra ear buds anytime you need them all free. Only thing you gotta buy is batteries occasionally. I get about a week from my batteries.

Glad to be of help.

[Jack Hardin]

Originally Posted by cranky

Yup book a appointment with the Costco audiologist at the store you deal with. Its a free consultation and they wont force anything on you. No selling is done, they are not on commission so dont matter to them if you buy or not.

You get to go back as many times as you need to get them all adjusted up, though i never had to as mine have been great from the gitgo. They will give you extra ear buds anytime you need them all free. Only thing you gotta buy is batteries occasionally. I get about a week from my batteries.

Glad to be of help.

Are you saying that you have replace the batteries every week? Or, are they rechargeable?

[hal53]

Originally Posted by Jack Hardin

Are you saying that you have replace the batteries every week? Or, are they rechargeable?

Mine last a week to 10 days...they cost about $10 for 8 of them, cheaper n the city

[Steve W]

Originally Posted by riden

Thanks for the answer.

Not to hijack too bad. Is blutooth worth the money?

I don't have it on mine. A co-worker who is on his cell phone a lot at work really likes his hearing aid that Blue Tooth to his phone. He gets a lot of calls. Only person I know who has it though.

[Big Grey Wolf]

I agree Costco best price and service, my wife has had aids since a child. Most are from same manufacture as Mom & Pop shops. The biggest beef is no coverage from our famous Health plans like Blue Cross.

[cranky]

Originally Posted by Jack Hardin

Are you saying that you have replace the batteries every week? Or, are they rechargeable?

My newest aids have the rechargeable feature. Not all aids do. But i find the rechargeables only last about 10-12 hours before needing a recharge. I think the rechargeable technology for hearing aids has a way to go for what i need anyway. Lots of days i need longer than that so non rechargeable batteries which last anywhere up to 10 days are more convenient for me particularly when away from home. And 40 batteries cost $11 at Costco.
I can carry spare batts. when on holiday etc. easily. You can get little tiny cases which hang on your key chain or whatever which hold a couple of spare batts.

[hal53]

Originally Posted by cranky

My newest aids have the rechargeable feature. Not all aids do. But i find the rechargeables only last about 10-12 hours before needing a recharge. I think the rechargeable technology for hearing aids has a way to go for what i need anyway. Lots of days i need longer than that so non rechargeable batteries which last anywhere up to 10 days are more convenient for me particularly when away from home. And 40 batteries cost $11 at Costco.
I can carry spare batts. when on holiday etc. easily. You can get little tiny cases which hang on your key chain or whatever which hold a couple of spare batts.

40 for $11.00??? wow, which batteries do you use?

[cranky]

Originally Posted by hal53

40 for $11.00??? wow, which batteries do you use?

I answered/posted twice my bad see below.

[cranky]

Originally Posted by hal53

40 for $11.00??? wow, which batteries do you use?

Mine are the brown 312's in my latest aids. As far as i know all there batts for aids are same price. There usually hanging in the hearing aid center in all the different colors equalling the nbrs. My old pair where different nbr. If i remember yellow maybe, they were $10 per 40 but there was a price increase recently.

My inlaws love it when we go visit. I bring a whole bunch of hearing aid batts with me to the farm from Costco.

[Newellknik]

I had my hearing checked about a year ago ....right ear fine ..
Left down 30% . If I get the thread , Costco , outside of the ear
Is best for battery life , I'm not worried about appearance as I'm wearing
My PJ s and crocs when I go to Costco.
Thnx Nik

[waterninja]

My father passed recently and he had new high quality hearing aids. Has a remote control, and tons of batteries all the bell and whistles I'm sure we can make a trade or deal


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[cranky]

Originally Posted by waterninja

My father passed recently and he had new high quality hearing aids. Has a remote control, and tons of batteries all the bell and whistles I'm sure we can make a trade or deal


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hate to put the kibosh on ya but when i found out i needed hearing aids a few years back someone gave me a almost brand new pair. Problem was no one would set them up for me. And they do have to be setup by computer to each individual. I went through all this believe me cause i didnt want to spend thousands of dollars.
They want to sell you there stuff. So unless you can find someone who will do it i wouldnt sell used cause someone will end up on the short end of the stick. Just trying to save a lot of hassles for you and any possible buyer. Very sorry for your loss by the way.

[Kristopher10]

I'm shopping for hearing aids as well. Likely going to go with Costco's house brand (Kirkland Signature). They are exponentially cheaper than anywhere else I've looked, better warranty, longer trial period, free adjustments. Family uses Costco and won't go anywhere else now.

Also, Kirkland Signature hearing aids are made by Rexton is what the Costco lady told me.

[benamen]

Originally Posted by Kristopher10

I'm shopping for hearing aids as well. Likely going to go with Costco's house brand (Kirkland Signature). They are exponentially cheaper than anywhere else I've looked, better warranty, longer trial period, free adjustments. Family uses Costco and won't go anywhere else now.

Also, Kirkland Signature hearing aids are made by Rexton is what the Costco lady told me.

I used to have over the ear hearing aides but found them too easy to lose if you are active outdoors. I now have in the canal style and I use them even when hunting. They use the yellow batteries which last on 5 days. WCB supplies the hearing aides and batteries so cannot comment on who is the cheapest vendor.

Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk

[Twisted Canuck]

Just reading all the replies makes me glad that WCB covers my aids, new pair every five years, all batteries, tune ups and adjustments, all my appointments, covered....and they even sent me a cheque for a couple grand for going deaf from job related damage. I got a pair of Siemens, they would have cost me $5K+ for the set, I think WCB pays something like $1800 for them. It's a racket for sure. I figure since they cost me nothing, I can afford the insurance rider in case they get lost or damaged (WCB won't replace for that)....so it costs me like $150 a year on my home policy. An entirely different racket, but that's another story.

If I wasn't getting them through WCB, Costco would be the ticket.

[cranky]

Originally Posted by Kristopher10

I'm shopping for hearing aids as well. Likely going to go with Costco's house brand (Kirkland Signature). They are exponentially cheaper than anywhere else I've looked, better warranty, longer trial period, free adjustments. Family uses Costco and won't go anywhere else now.

Also, Kirkland Signature hearing aids are made by Rexton is what the Costco lady told me.

After they have done your testing and have determined you need aids have them bring out the different ones they have. Try each one on, they all seem to be very slightly different shape and size. I found the Kirklands to be a bit too big to be comfortable for me though the price was attractive. Ended up with a slightly smaller pair. Comfort was the key here for me anyway. They even have different sizes and types for the ear hole piece. See whats most comfortable. Take your time. Its like glasses you going to have to wear them day in day out.

I wear glasses so i dont have to worry about them falling out. I tuck them in behind my glasses at the ear. No way do they ever move and they are not noticeable at all im told. Best to do some research into the different types so you are knowledgable as to what you want. All kinds of info on the net.

[benamen]

Originally Posted by Twisted Canuck

Just reading all the replies makes me glad that WCB covers my aids, new pair every five years, all batteries, tune ups and adjustments, all my appointments, covered....and they even sent me a cheque for a couple grand for going deaf from job related damage. I got a pair of Siemens, they would have cost me $5K+ for the set, I think WCB pays something like $1800 for them. It's a racket for sure. I figure since they cost me nothing, I can afford the insurance rider in case they get lost or damaged (WCB won't replace for that)....so it costs me like $150 a year on my home policy. An entirely different racket, but that's another story.

If I wasn't getting them through WCB, Costco would be the ticket.

WCB has made changes to their coverage. No new aids every five years. Replacement will be determined by condition of existing aids. And WCB now limit the number of batteries that they will cover.

[Twisted Canuck]

Originally Posted by benamen

WCB has made changes to their coverage. No new aids every five years. Replacement will be determined by condition of existing aids. And WCB now limit the number of batteries that they will cover.

Really? That's news, I'll have to check with them. I've had this pair for just over two years now, so not needing another pair any time soon. Just re-reading my post, and made me laugh. My comment about how they 'didn't cost me anything....' and I just got my WCB bill in the mail. I guess I've paid for several pair in advance over the years!

[benamen]

Originally Posted by Twisted Canuck

Really? That's news, I'll have to check with them. I've had this pair for just over two years now, so not needing another pair any time soon. Just re-reading my post, and made me laugh. My comment about how they 'didn't cost me anything....' and I just got my WCB bill in the mail. I guess I've paid for several pair in advance over the years!

Mine are free. I changed to an office job and don't need WCB coverage currently. Previous to getting this job I had opened a claim on my hearing(like 20 years prior). So just getting some of my premiums back now.

Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk