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How to evaluate Costco audiologist

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I understand that overall Costco is a great option for those of us on a tight budget, but the skill level of the audiologists can vary. There are two costco’s near me. I want to go to the one with the best audiologist. One that takes enough time, accurately does a real ear measurement, and correctly adjusts my fitting for the real ear results. How would I determine which costco to go to?

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I have 2 Costco’s equidistant from me. During the shut down I had the opportunity to talk by phone with one. We had a very long discussion and he was amazing so I chose to go to him. Perhaps your city is not in lockdown so I would suggest that you make an appointment and visit one of them and you should be able to get a good feeling of how they could work with you. Then maybe go to the other one and by those two visits you should be able to ascertain which one you are most comfortable with and who will give you the best service.

Never be shy that you might be pitting one against the other. They are your ears and you have to be comfortable with whom ever you choose. The visits need only to be a short introduction. You should be able to tell much just from that.

Best hearing :ear:

They are! But what they do with the data to adjust your fitting is the part that gets tricky. The guy addresses it in that video.

After selling my practice and then consulting for a major manufacturer, I got the opportunity to see many different practices around the US. I am sad to say that most did not even use Real Ear equipment. But of the few that did, what I saw appalled me. They did Real Ear, but did not have a clue as to what they were supposed to do and adjust. Real Ear is fantastic, but as Dr. Cliff says, unless you know what you are doing the Real Ear tests are just an exercise in futility. I started using Real Ear in the mid 1980’s and have been a believer ever since. The caveat is that you must know what you are doing.

Some are Audiologists some are Hearing Aid Specialists. Mine is a certified Hearing Aid Specialist and he is very thorough, courteous, and professional. I have the upmost confidence in him. The hearing test is always complete and about an hour long each time I have one. They have the latest equipment available.

In reply to @anihan

My CostCo has 3 people working there. The Manager is fantastic and the one I request. One of the others I have not seen, so no comment. The other is a complete waste of time and does NOT do . So as of Nov 2019, it was NOT required at all CostCos.

I saw that person first. I called to change my next appt and got the Manager, so I did get proper fitting when I picked up my new set of hearing aids. At one point, she said, “lots of experienced users don’t really like working with x.” (X being the name of the first one I saw) Hmm, wonder why! Could it be because we know what to expect, and don’t like it when we get short shift? Both the Manager and X have been working there since this particular CostCo opened, more than 28 years ago.

For @WebGuy1 all I can suggest is make an appt and go in, if you don’t ‘click’ with the person, make your next appt with a different person and give that one a try.

Thanks. My nearby costco (thought I had two but only have one) is booked until October. They suggested a costco an hour away, and I am booked for next week. I asked them if I could be fitted and sent home with a set of KS9s in the initial visit. They said they don’t normally do that but they are willing to probably do it. If I want the KS9 with though I’d have to come back, because they are not carried in stock.

When I got my first set of hearing aids programmed (they were a gift, used), I read up a bit on hearing aids first, and asked the specialist (who I paid $300 to program them) if she did a real ear measurement to verify the settings. She said, “oh yes, I just did that”. Now I know she absolutely did not. It’s a shady world out there.

In reply to @gorgeguy

gorgeguy, I know this your Aug '20 post is a bit old in almost-April '22, but you said something really important! Today there are places (looking at you, Costco!) who may DO Real Ear with Real Ear equipment, but not have a clue as to what they are supposed to do and adjust based on the Real Ear tests. PLEASE elaborate - and help those of us who ‘don’t know what we don’t know’ . . . yet we have learned that Real Ear is important . . . soooo . . . that means that any Aud, Hearing Center, Big Box (Costco) that offers/actually does Real Ear is good, right? Apparently not. Please elaborate - with an eye (ear?) toward those of us who have/will make appointments with the various Real Ear providers. Other than ‘do you do Real Ear’ . . . what else do we need to know and ask?

If the car runs smoothly or the tooth doesn’t hurt any longer is a pretty good indication. The proof is usually in the results. The fact that someone doesn’t perform rem doesn’t mean everything else that was done was wrong. The real test is how well are you hearing and are you happy with the results

Wether or not they actually changed your oil and filter your car will continue to run just fine. IMHO is not the end all of fitting.

Morgan1946, you are right that is not the end all in hearing aid fitting. BUT why not use a tool that get you at least in the right ball park before tweaking? I have seen too many cases where the Mfg “first fit” is way off base. If you are starting out in a completely different ball park, it is hard to hit a home run. It is only a tool and any tool is only as good as the person wielding that tool. Good fits have been done without REM, but it is quicker and easier with REM.

My understanding is that the majority of the audiologist do not do rem and it can be quite costly to the consumer.

My thinking was that it was just part of doing a good job. I started using it in 1984 and never quit. I did not charge the consumer more for using it, unless the aids were purchased elsewhere, then there was a charge for my time. A carpenter would not start to build a house without a hammer, I would not want to fit a hearing aid without , it is just part of the tool box.

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