Thanks, Beverly. I continue to be very pleased with my Philips 9050 hearing aids. I appreciate your suggestion with respect to custom molds. I discussed that option with Jordan, my fitter at Costco Santa Rosa, and he recommended going with the “half-open” (if I remember his terminology correctly) domes rather than molds. I was certainly ready to pay the extra charge for custom molds. The next time I see Jordan I’ll ask again whether I could benefit from custom molds and what, if any, disadvantages they would have for my particular ear canal structure and hearing loss.
By the way, the Bluetooth connection to my phone for both the control app and hearing phone calls is just marvelous. What great technology. I hope you are enjoying those benefits, too.
In terms of your observation concerning potential loss due to wind, etc., I am apparently insured to cover the loss of one or both aids one time, should that occur. I just did a little information search on the insurance coverage it with the results shown beginning in the paragraph below. For now I feel safe – I could always switch to custom molds after a loss and replacement, should one occur, or after the insurance coverage expires two years after purchase.
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When you purchase the Philips HearLink 9050 from Costco, the “insurance” you were told about is technically a Loss and Damage Warranty.1 Most Costco hearing aids, including the Philips 9050, come with a two-year period for this specific coverage.2
Here are the detailed terms of how that protection works:
1. The “One-Time” Rule
The most important thing to understand is that the loss and damage coverage is a one-time-per-ear benefit.
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If you lose your left hearing aid, Costco will replace it for free (some older policies had a small deductible, but current standard Costco policy is often $0).3
Once that left aid is replaced, the new replacement unit no longer has loss and damage coverage. If you lose the replacement, you must pay the full out-of-pocket cost to get another one.
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Your right hearing aid still has its own one-time replacement benefit intact until it is used.
2. Coverage Scope (Loss vs. Damage)
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Loss: If the device falls out while you’re hiking or traveling and you cannot find it, it is covered.
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Damage beyond repair: This covers catastrophic accidents that the standard “repair warranty” won’t touch—for example, if a dog chews the hearing aid into pieces or it is crushed by a car. 4
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Excluded items: The coverage typically only applies to the hearing aid “engines” (the units themselves). It generally does not cover lost charging cases or accessories like TV streamers or remote mics.
3. Impact on Return Policy
Be aware that filing a loss or damage claim often voids your right to return the hearing aids for a refund. Costco has a very generous 180-day (6-month) return policy, but if you lose a device and have it replaced under warranty during that time, you typically cannot then return the set for your money back.
4. Warranty Duration
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Loss & Damage: Usually valid for 2 years from the date of purchase. 5
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Repair Warranty: Separate from loss coverage, there is a 3-year repair warranty that covers internal failures or malfunctions (like a microphone dying or a battery failing to hold a charge). Unlike the loss warranty, the repair warranty can be used multiple times until it expires.
5. What if you find the lost one later?
If you receive a replacement and later find the original “lost” hearing aid, the original becomes legally property of the manufacturer/Costco. If you try to bring the old one in for service later, the serial number will be flagged as “replaced,” and the center will typically confiscate it.
Pro-Tip: If you have a minor issue, such as a broken receiver wire (the thin wire that goes into your ear), Costco can usually fix that in-house for free without you having to use your one-time loss/damage claim. Always ask if it can be repaired in the office first!
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Again, many thanks and best wishes!
--John