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Need hearing aids for the first time

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hi my name is JIM… first time ever getting hearing aids. Presently overwhelmed. Getting tested in Toms River . The going to a Provider for the first time. Want someone who is trustworthy / fairly priced / accessible . Any suggestions… should I buy somthing on line or just get what the provider suggests or what?.. Sorta lost… appreciate any advice you can give… thanks. JIMO

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Hello Jim, welcome to the forum, I live in the UK, but I believe Costco is probably your best bet state side if you are on a budget, their K9 aids are basically rebranded Phonak Marvel aids, and they are indeed an excellent aid… Maybe some kind forum member from your locality will come in with some local recommendations of a suitable Audiologist or dispenser… Good Luck, Cheers Kev

I agree, if you do not have any insurance, go to CostCo. Best pricing and several brands on offer. Most fitters work on commission and stock 1 and 1 as a back up. CostCo does not pay their fitters on commission, they pay a wage. That plus the bulk they sell means they have the best prices of all.

They tend to have more than one fitter at a given location, so you should find someone you can work with well.

Once you have your , post it here and folks can pipe in with what you should think about for hearing aids.

Hi. and thank you KEVELS55 and FREEDOM for reaching out… presently dont have Costco membership… and if I did the hearing appts are about 6 months out… I will try BJs… dont even know if they offer it… bye for now. Hearing test Friday… I’ll say that again HEARING TEST FRIDAY !!! just in case you did not here me… hahhahahahah

Good job. Before you leave the test on Friday, make sure you have your IN HAND. You paid for it, you are entitled to it.

I did not have a CostCo membership either, got one specifically for the hearing aids. Yes, the price difference more than justifies the $60 basic membership. Make the appt with them NOW, you can always cancel. AND ask to be put on the cancellation list.

Very much appreciate your astute assessment of my situation and your suggestions… Will follow up on it for sure… thanks… expecially the cancellation list. JIMO
ps… I do have a BJs membership… do you think that they will have such a program … and would it compare to COSTCO?..
also, If I am looking at OTICON 3s OR PHONAK 50s… about how much should I be expected to pay for them >>> If you know … just a random questio… appreciate any advice that you might have… thanks…

There’s a reason Costco is 6 months out. Try all the local costco stores and some not so local

In reply to @joriscak_2000

As far as I know, BJs does not offer hearing aids.

At CostCo, their KS 9 hearing aids are $1500 for a pair. These are comparable to the Phonak Marvel 90. They do not currently carry Oticon. Phonak, they have the new Brio 4. They do not put pricing on their website except for their KS 9. I’m going to guess about $2400 for a pair. You are not going to find these prices elsewhere.

As with other places, you go in and have your testing, and get a recommendation. Then the fitter will select a demo pair for you to try. As I recall, at CostCo they let you walk around the store for about 15 minutes to see what you think. Once you think you have a pair you like, you place the order and that is when you pay. Many people will get the CostCo VISA credit card and pay with that. CostCo takes any VISA card, cash or check. (I don’t know if they have a dollar max for personal checks.) Two weeks later (approximately) you go in and pick up your new hearing aids. At that time you have about an hour of adjustments, fitting, etc. Note that not all places offer REM fittings. If they don’t offer this, the general feeling here on this forum is don’t bother, walk out and find another place to deal with. So that is something you want to ask about, do they offer REM fitting. Then you are off, for your trial period. CostCo has a much more liberal trial period than most places.

During the trial, you are trying to sort out if like the specific brand and model of aids you have. At the end of the trial period, some places allow you to return the hearing aids and receive a full refund. Other places allow you a full credit to one of the other brands / models they carry; but you are locked in to purchasing from them. So you do need to have it on your list of questions, what are the terms of the trial period.

Some places have a 2 week trial period. Some have a one month trial period. I am not sure, but I think at CostCo it is a 6 months trial period.

Once you have your hearing aids (let’s assume these are the ones you like and you are going to keep), you are going to need some adjustments to get them set up to suit your hearing loss and your lifestyle. Some places limit you to 3 follow up visits and after that you have to pay for them. They may say 3 follow up visits over 3 months. So they limit both the number of visits, and the length of time when you can get them. CostCo does not limit you on either. I went in 4 times initially, then 6 months later I went back for one more. So you want to have this on your list of questions. What is included in the purchase price and what do I have to pay for?

You will want to ask about domes. CostCo provides free domes as long as you have their hearing aids (of course you have to keep up your membership in order to go in and pick these up). I have the KS 9 hearing aids, and these have a which I need to replace regularly. So far, these are also provided to me free of charge. You need to replace domes (and wax guards) about once a month.

Batteries. If your hearing aids need batteries, you can’t beat the prices at CostCo. Some models or hearing aids are now rechargeable.

That’s a few things for your list of questions!

If you haven’t already, I suggest getting some basics through these two sources

best practices summarised by dr cliff6

https://blog.valuehearing.com.au/news/must-hearing-aid-features

https://blog.valuehearing.com.au/news/do-i-really-need-expensive-hearing-aid

And they have article about listening in noise, also recommended to read.

Both sources have youtube channel if you like that media instead.

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