Skip to content
HearingTracker
Log in

My plan to get top of the line hearing aids for a "low" price

This topic is closed.

76 replies2.8k viewsLast reply

Jump
Link to this topic

I am thinking about this plan.

Buy Oticon Intent 1’s online. The seller will program my hearing aids before he sends then to me, based on my . He has unlimited online reprogramming. There is a three year warranty including replacement for lost or broken hearing aids. These hearing aids are new and were bought in Denmark. This cost is $2200.

My local Audiologist is charging $7200 for the same hearing aid.

I think this is a better move then the $1600 Phillips 9050 from Costco, because I don’t believe the 9050 is equal to the Intent 1’s I think they are equal to the intent 3’s.

Rolling the dice on the online seller feels no different than rolling the dice on the Costco person or the clinic audiologist.

I can only use my insurance from an in network provider, so I may get a different kind of hearing aid as a back-up from the clinic using insurance, if they even sell a hearing aid under $3100!

I see that I can also try a pair of 9050’s from Costco to see if I like them, and if I don’t do the above online plan.

What do you think?

Also, I have never worn hearing aids before.

31 people in this conversation21 min readJump to latest

I was new to Hearing Aids at the end of last year.

Knowing what I know now, and in your position I would go Costco, get a hearing test and try the Philips 9050s. At Costco you get a fitting (including ) by a certified specialist and unlimited subsequent visits to adjust etc.

If you don’t like them you have 6 months to return them (or try Jabras, Rexton etc).

Last year I started with hearings aids (Eargo 7’s) and they are fine (set up was using an online test and then remote programming and support). However in the end nothing beats having an actual specialist do the test (Costco’s and Audiologist tests are far more comprehensive than simple online tests) and especially do the fitting. You will see many threads here from Audiologists and others saying how important REM is in getting the fitting correct. Remote programming can never do that.

Others who know the Oticons / Philips Hearlink better can give more informed comments, but I understood the Philips Hearlink 9050’s are equivalent to Oticon Intent 1s

I ended up with Jabra Enhance Pro 30s which are reportedly equivalent to the Resound Vivia 9

Who is offering a pair of Intent 1’s for $2,200? That sounds like a great deal but I would want to check out some verified reviews first. Your plan sounds OK but why not check out a different Costco brand or two first if you don’t like the 9050? The Costco aides are top of the line aids, however, the Sennheiser is the previous model top of the line.

If you have never worn hearing aids, I strongly suggest you visit your local Costco and try the Rexton Reach. I was in your same position one year ago, and ended up buying two pairs of hearing aids from Costco - the Rexton Reach and the Philips 9050.

Although both have their strong points, I find that the Rexton Reach aids are more natural sounding and easier to adjust to as a first time hearing aid wearer. They also have an outstanding app to make adjustments in a very intuitive way.

At a cost of $1,600 and with the comprehensive testing and follow up care I received from Costco, they are hard to beat.

1.While the 9050 may not match the Intent 1, it certainly has more features than the Intent 3. Comparing their features side by side will make this clear. All Costco are top of the line.

2.- Programming is crucial: For someone new to wearing hearing aids, the first session should always be conducted in person to ensure best practices are followed, including real ear measurements. New users often have complaints like the sound being too loud, Bluetooth sounding tiny, domes hurt, or frequent disconnects. We see this all the time in this forum and nothing beats having a local specialist.
3.- If something goes wrong with the HAs, you will have to send them to Denmark or find a local person who can do the warranty process (and not all audiologists want to do this for non-customers). Oh, and you will have to pay for that visit.
4.- The success of the HAs is mostly due to the experience of the person who is working with you. Don’t underestimate the value of the specialist, it is not all about the hardware.

I think for someone like me, who can program the aids and knows how fix things, online shopping is perfect and that’s what I’ve done this year. But for someone who has no clue about the hearing aid experience (new user), nothing beats a face to face first encounter.

So yes, head to Costco. Go through the initiation process, and once you’ve smoothed out the wrinkles and adjusted to the transition, start exploring online options. Don’t do the journey yourself.

Plus: Who knows how long the online store will be around. Some Internet sellers come and go frequently

In reply to @2ball

@coastal_california said:

Audiologist tests are far more comprehensive than simple online tests)

@2ball said:

I do have a full hearing test from an audiologist. I will have to follow up with my online vender to make sure he can use it.

But he won’t be able to do or sit with you and get your feedback during the fitting or follow up visits.

It sounds like you have made your mind up and are looking for the forum to validate your decision.

However I think you will find the consensus feedback is as a new hearing aid user you need a professional to set them up and adjust them as you get used to them.

Costco and the Jabra Enhance Pro 30, Philips Hearlink 9050 or Rexton Reach are a great place to start. All high end hearing aids and at $1700 or a little less…

I would really not rely in a single round of remote fitting. You will probably need further adjustments. You can either shop around for someone near you to do that (probably paying some money), or, much better, get the hardware and software and learn to do this yourself.

There are also the import taxes (Trumptaxes are heavy these days) and warranty concerns (but warranties are global, it seems).

Otherwise- very sensible idea- I crossed a border myself to buy my .

Maybe exempt in the US in April… I was trying to make a general case. Note also that some international sellers subtract the local VAT from their prices (unlike in the US, prices are typically almost always advertised including VAT in most countries)- but certainly not all do.

With your you’d probably find the sound of Widex devices with the puresound program and zero delay technology to be more natural and pleasant than Oticon devices. I’d recommend seeing an audiologist in person to demo some different devices to get an idea of how they sound before purchasing.

I would also encourage you to watch this video from Dr Cliff : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iqtqO5AvsU23. Purchasing hearing aids online sounds like a good way to save money, but is typically a lot more hassle than its worth and results in poorer outcomes than if you saw an audiologist who followed best practices of which real-ear measurement of hearing aid performance is just one component.

Personally, with your high frequency loss, I think you’ll need some kind of custom mold to get the best out of any hearing aids. Feedback suppression will rob you of some of the gains you’ll need. You can’t get these online.

If you have insurance to help with cost, why not use it? How much do they pay toward the ? Or do they just cover the appointment fee?

I have never had a need for back up HAs. A reputable AuD will often offer a loaner if there is an issue that requires sending it in for repair. Costco may even do that. I would recommend exploring the Costco route first - the 9050s are a good HA for a reasonable price and then you can have your adjustments covered. Most AuDs will only service and adjust for free if you purchased the HAs from them. Could cost you $300 for an adjustment otherwise.
Note - for first time users it can take a while to adjust to having that new sound input! Wear them from when you get up to when you go to bed and just adjust the volume down if they get annoying - this way your brain can adjust to how to work with the new input.

This is what I have just done. Got a Phonak Sphere from online. They programmed it to my and sent it out to me with a free TV connector. I then contacted a local audiologist to get a custom mould made and they programmed with . He charged me £145 for custom mould and the REM set up. He has also just done some remote adjustments within that price.

The total was still below half the price of what others are charging. I still have the 60 day free return, 3 year warranty and unlimited remote adjustments from the online retailer.

Edited

In reply to @Hearing_Potential

@Hearing_Potential said:

I would also encourage you to watch this video from Dr Cliff AuD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iqtqO5AvsU.

man, its hard to trust the Audiologist who makes his money from the shady U.S. practices of selling $1500 hearing aids for $7000 not to mention the video is literally an advertisement for and sponsored by a hearing aid company. I do understand your points, but in my case it is a $5,000 swing between going to an audiologist and buying online. I can put up with some hassle for 5G’s! I am looking at those Widex’s though.

Actually if your willing to go the route then no hassles at all, everything done from the comfort of home in your own time whenever you want.

In reply to @joanhawsey

@joanhawsey said:

If you have insurance to help with cost, why not use it? How much do they pay toward the HAs? Or do they just cover the AuD appointment fee?

I have never had a need for back up HAs. A reputable AuD will often offer a loaner if there is an issue that requires sending it in for repair. Costco may even do that. I would recommend exploring the Costco route first - the 9050s are a good HA for a reasonable price and then you can have your adjustments covered. Most AuDs will only service and adjust for free if you purchased the HAs from them. Could cost you $300 for an adjustment otherwise.
Note - for first time users it can take a while to adjust to having that new sound input! Wear them from when you get up to when you go to bed and just adjust the volume down if they get annoying - this way your brain can adjust to how to work with the new input.

My insurance will only cover $3100 from an in network Audiologist. So that puts me on the hook for $4100. If I buy online I cant use insurance, but the cost is only $2200. I also don’t really need a back up pair of ’s, but if I can get them for free using my insurance why not? to not pay out of pocket, they would have to be pretty low end though.

@2ball I like your plan :blush:

As you said, Costco to start with, then try Widex as @Hearing_Potential has suggested, if after all that you aren’t satisfied, then online is your last resort, I guess.

But either way, let us know, we will be supporting you emotionally and good luck to you.

Related discussions