Costco Hearing Aids Making Hearing Care Accessible

Hearing aids are not always affordable or easily accessible for those with hearing loss. Traditionally, only certified hearing aid dispensers could offer them as part of the rehabilitation process for those with a hearing impairment. Modern technology has allowed for great advancements in hearing aids. Improved sound quality, noise management, and supporting apps allow the users more freedom and flexibility to enjoy their hearing aids. However, these advancements come at a cost to users, allowing only some to be able to access them.

In a drive to improve the availability for users, larger chain stores have opened hearing centers in some of their branches, select pharmacies have opted in to offer them to clients, and the online market has started to bloom with hearing aid sales. However, greater availability does not mean that hearing aids and the services that surround them are affordable, reliable, effective, and truly accessible. It is up to you, the consumer, to decide what will work best for you.

Costco leading the chain store hearing aid market

Costco is known to be a convenient one-stop-shop. Since 2011, Costco has added to its convenience value proposition through its hearing aid centers. Costco Hearing Aid Centers are located across the United States inside most Costco stores. The company offers more affordable hearing aids for mild, moderate, severe, or profound hearing loss. Costco Hearing Aid Centers offer free hearing tests, fittings, and maintenance from five established manufacturers. These include Philips, Phonak, Rexton, and GN Resound, in addition to their house brand Kirkland.

Over the past decade, Costco has come to be the second-largest hearing aid provider in the US, the first being the Department of Veterans Affairs. Their biggest advantage is their purchasing power through bulk buying that allows them to provide these well-known hearing aid brands at a lower price.

Costco Hearing Centers and Offerings

Costco Hearing Aid Centers are run by trained hearing specialists. Some Costco’s have an audiologist on-site, but you are advised to phone and check before making an appointment if it’s important for you to see an audiologist. You can prepare for your visit with them by completing a four-page intake questionnaire that is available on their website. You need to be a Costco member in order to visit the hearing center to take the hearing test. The annual membership fee varies between $60 and $120.

Your privacy is guaranteed as the hearing test takes place in a soundproof booth. The appointment can take up to an hour. The hearing specialist will discuss the test results and advise you on what hearing aids will best suit your needs. They’ll also do some hearing aid demonstrations, and should you purchase, the hearing specialist will also assist you with fittings and adjustments as needed. Costco does not offer a trial period, however, the hearing aids can be returned within a 180-day period for a full refund.

Costco offers a range of different hearing aid styles, giving you options to choose whichever best fits your preference and needs best. The different types offered include open fit, behind the ear, in the ear, canal fit, completely in the canal, Bluetooth-capable, and rechargeable hearing aids.

Click this link to find a Costco hearing center near you.

Hearing Aids Available at Costco

A range of hearing aids are available from a variety of manufacturers.

Kirkland Signature 10.0

The Kirkland Signature 10.0 is the house brand model for Costco. Costco outsources the manufacturing of their hearing aids. In the past, they have partnered with different manufacturers but are currently in contracts with Sonova to produce their Signature line. The KS 9 hearing instruments come with a carrying case, cleaning tools, and ten free disposable hearing aid batteries.

Who are Kirkland Signature Hearing Aids best suited for?

This hearing instrument offers good value for cost-conscious patients who are able to access the hearing health provider when necessary.

Features

• Classification of environmental sounds and streamed media with automated program adjustments for changing listening environments.
• Binaural signal processing, with wireless coordination between two hearing aids.
• Receiver-in-canal (RIC).
• 20 fine-tuning channels, 9 automatic programs, 3 manual programs.
• Directional microphones.
• Wireless connectivity and streaming.
• Telecoil option is available upon request.
• Classification of environmental sounds and streamed media with automated program adjustments for changing listening environments.

Price Range	Advantages	Drawbacks
$1,399.99 a pair	Cost-effective TV and audio streaming Bluetooth connectivity  Hands-free phone calls	Not rechargeable Does not come standard with a telecoil for use in crowded places No tinnitus features  No remote programming, Wearer is required to physically attend appointments for fine-tuning of the hearing aid.

Philips Hear Link 9030

The Philips Hear Link 9030 hearing aid was recently introduced to the range of hearing aids offered by Costco. Currently, Costco offers two options of the hearing aid, which are behind-the-ear (BTE) and receiver-in-the-canal (RIC) styles.

Who are Philips Hearing Aids best suited for?

This hearing aid is recommended for users who are open to spending on a good quality product manufactured by a recognized brand. It offers good quality amplification for persons with severe hearing loss or those in demanding acoustic environments.

Features

• Multichannel directionality
• Binaural noise management and active noise management responding to changes in the listening environment
• SoundMap noise control: Improves speech understanding in noisy settings using noise control, advanced amplification, and feedback cancellation
• Phoneme and envelope focus
• iPhone friendly
• Airplane Mode

Price Range	Advantages	Drawbacks
$1,799.99 per hearing aid	Direct connectivity to Apple products Streaming  functionality to TV and radio  Wireless accessories  Smart devices linkage App	No tinnitus features Additional costs for streaming equipment No  automated connectivity to Android devices

Rexton

Rexton is a hearing aid manufactured by an established hearing aid company, Sivantos. Costco offers Rexton’s Adore line of premium hearing aids. The Rexton Adore hearing aids come in four models, ranging from a receiver-in-the-canal (RIC) with a slim form factor, an open-fit behind-the-ear (BTE) model, a small in-the-canal (IIC) hearing aid with a one-size-fits-all silicone tip, and a custom in-the-ear (ITE) models. 

Who are Rexton Hearing Aids best suited for?

Persons with mild hearing loss that seek a discreet design.

Features

• Rechargeable.
• Wireless connectivity with Bluetooth devices.
• “Instant fit” design with a soft silicone, one-size-fits-all ear tip.
• Directional microphones.
• Six programs. 
• 20 fine-tuning channels.
• Reverb reducer.
• One power level.
• One mic directional.

Price Range	Advantages	Drawbacks
$1,249.99 to $3,000 per hearing aid	Mobile charging unit.  Direct connectivity to iPhone. Controlled via remote-control accessory or smartphone app.	Adore IX has one power level compared with other Rexton options like the Adore Li which has four power levels Adore IX Battery is not rechargeable iPhone friendly,  limited interaction with Android devices

Phonak

Phonak is an established brand with a reputation for high-quality, reliable products. Costco offers The Brio 4 hearing aids from the Phonak range. 

Who are Phonak hearing aids best suited for?

This is best recommended for persons with an active lifestyle. The combination of the four different receivers and remote capabilities allows the wearer flexibility, without having to worry about the programming of the hearing aid. 

Features

• Binaural voice stream technology.
• Four different receivers.
• Automated sound adjustment based on sound environment.
• Smartphone App to control hearing aid settings.
• Wireless accessories and direct streaming (Bluetooth from cell phones, MP3 players, tablets, laptops, and computers).

Price Range	Advantages	Drawbacks
The Phonak Brio 4 hearing aids start at $1,249.99 per hearing aid for a standard behind-the-ear (BTE) model, and $1,349 per hearing aid for a custom in-the-ear (ITE) model.	Varied colors Smartphone (Android and iOS compatible) Remote programming Wireless connectivity and TV/Audio streaming	Cost Non-rechargeable

GN Resound

The Forte and Vida hearing aids are offered from the GN Resound range at  Costco. The model that is most popular is the ReSound Vida LiNX Quattro 9. The Vida hearing aids come in different styles including RIC (Receiver-In-Canal) and the BTE (Behind-the-Ear). The Linx Quattro is available in a RIC type only.

Who are GN Resound hearing aids best suited for?

This is an ideal hearing aid for persons with busy lifestyles that find themselves often traveling.

Features

• Directional microphone.
• Rechargeable batteries.
• Fine-tuning channels.
• Advanced sound processing (speech in noise understanding, automatic adjustment of program settings based on changes in the sound environment).
• App compatible (smart devices).
• Made for iPhone.
• Receiver-in-canal technology.
• Wireless connectivity and streaming.

Price Range	Advantages	Drawbacks
Starting at $1,249.99 per hearing aid	New microchip to improve hearing aid functionality Rechargeable battery (low power consumption) The portable charging case can be used on the go. Automated power switch Discreet visual appearance Accommodates for persons with limited access to a hearing loss specialist	Costs Added costs (portable charger and accessories)

Buying Hearing Aids at Costco

Costco offers clients good value for money. In addition, it has been deemed a reliable service and offers convenience for those who can access the Hearing Aid Centers.

Advantages

Drawbacks

Cost-effective Variety of brands and styles available Various models with TV and audio streaming, Bluetooth connectivity, and rechargeability. An optional earmold can be purchased  Warranty and maintenance coverage Free loss and damage cover with no deductibles. Most hearing aids can be returned for a full refund within 180 days. Free follow-up check-ups and cleaning Instructional videos are available on their website

No repair services are available. Warranty coverage is dependent on the manufacturer. You don’t always get the same specialist or audiologist. You will have to submit your invoice to your own insurer. Limited remote programming of hearing aids.   Appointments are required for the fine-tuning of the hearing aids. Stores are not always easily accessible. No online ordering Not always the most cutting-edge technology. Possible long waiting times for appointments Possible limited availability of some models in certain states. No loan hearing aids during repairs

Lexie Hearing Making Hearing Care Accessible

Lexie wants to make better hearing available to everyone, everywhere, which is why we have developed smart and cutting-edge technology, to offer clients high-quality hearing aids and remote support services at a fraction of the price. 

Lexie is an all-inclusive direct-to-consumer (DTC) hearing aid and service solution. Its affordable price offers 80% less than the costs of traditional hearing aids. Lexie has been designed for persons who may not be willing or able to attend an audiology clinic, have mild-to-moderate hearing loss, or maybe unable to afford traditional hearing aid options. 

An innovative subscription model allows for Lexie to offer an affordable solution to hearing-impaired individuals and still offer a high-quality product and support.

Lexie Hearing Aids

Currently, Lexie offers a variety of hearing aids. These hearing aids were developed with American-made technology and are FDA-registered. Lexie hearing aid offers cutting-edge technology and was designed by leading experts in the industry. 

Who is Lexie Hearing Aids Best Suited for?

Lexie is best suited for persons who would like to move with the times and have access to the latest technological trends at a fraction of the cost. Its affordable price offers 80% less than the costs of traditional hearing aids. Lexie has been designed for persons who may not be willing to attend an audiology clinic as yet, have a milder hearing loss, or maybe unable to afford traditional hearing aid options. It offers the luxury of having a test battery administered remotely. 

Lexie offers clients excellent value for their money. Purchase online or via the contact center today. For more information on Lexie’s quality and excellent customer service, read our customer reviews or our easy return policy.