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Are the hearing tests as good at Costco?

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Edited

Are the hearing tests at Costco as good as at an ’s office (done by an Audi or Audi student)?

I am sure that there are variations at different doctor’s offices as well as different Costcos.

Thank you.

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@srroat

Thank you, and I want to hear from more people, even if the answer is the same.

Second question:

How often do you get your hearing tested?

I think that my hearing has deteriorated in the last year and 4 months since I had it tested, so I will get it done. Unfortunately, my hearing is likely to keep on deteriorating, which I presume is common.

But then the hearing aids will likely continue to improve, so there is that.

Thank. you.

Edited

Hearing tests at Costco are excellent. Hearing tests are mostly software controlled. There’s no magic in them.

And this is where I’m going to get in trouble—a hearing test is relative, not absolute. If you took a hearing test twice a week for 4 weeks, each one might be slightly different because they are based on what you are hearing that day and how your brain interprets what it hears. Those small differences don’t matter for fitting hearing aids.

@OcramSagev

@Elderly

Thank you both! I am thinking that I need to repeat a test again soon, as I believe it has worsened since I last had a test. Although, it’s hard to know. I am still getting used to having them!

I went way too long when I should have had them, so loud sounds are still excruciating.

And my husband has a habit of taking his out, and then clanging around in the kitchen, or elsewhere, and gets irritated that I exclaim due to same, and go to turn mine down! Arghhh!

This is a different topic! He’s not that loud in general, but . . . the difference between having them in and not is great. Plus, his aids haven’t been turned up all that loud, I think. Even when he does have them in, this happens.

The last non Costco hearing test I did included a test for eustachian tube function. that’s the only difference I can remember.

I have been getting hearing tests almost every year for 30 years. Usually i have found that tests at Costco are more complete than in the ’s office.

Another factor to consider is the service after the sale. My local Costco staff have gone above & beyond to ensure that I am happy with my . Quick visits to get supplies, a cleaning of firmware update. To calling me before my last HA warranty expired, so they could send them in to be serviced. They are so much better than the audiologist I first visited.

I get my hearing tested once a year since it’s covered under my Medicare plan with Kaiser. The audiologist usually recommends every two years, unless you notice a change in your hearing.

I would say based on my experience, both Kaiser and Costco are pretty much the same. Both are comprehensive and do a good job.

In reply to @user990

@user990 Thank you, yes, I think that I’m due, and for me, probably once a year. Now if the technology can get good enough to help us all more.

Although, I went through tulip domes, then , and now 2 different molds, and the molds still aren’t right. That is for another post/topic. It’s not for lack of trying on my part and on the fitter’s part (2 different ones, as the first one didn’t have much experience with molds).

One more thing that come to mind, has to do with hearing aid insurance.

It’s not unusual for an insurance company to require your hearing aid prescription to come from a doctor of audiology to get them to pay for the hearing aids.

Yes, and they are pretty much identical tests, too.

I get retested yearly, plus some procrastination.

If your hearing is falling off it might mean you just need the aids cleaned and adjusted.

I found the hearing tests and review after more extensive and thorough than anywhere else I went

The fitting and follow-up care was also top notch.

In reply to @tenkan

Some US health insurance companies require an order from an to check there could be benefit and there is not another issue. If no ENT is available they will often accept a non-specialist doctor. I’ve not heard of a restriction on an audiologist versus a hearing instrument specialist but I could see some health insurer adding that.

Medicare requires an annual referral order from a GP for hearing aids. Some larger institutions then require this from all patients. This process seems pointless when one could be wearing aids for years.

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