Audiologist says I need hearing aids Costco says I don’t

Saying you didn’t need HAs might have been more like “Well, you can hear better than the average patient who comes in here, and you can function pretty well without aids most of the time, and I don’t want you to think I’m pushy, so I’m saying you don’t really, absolutely need HAs.” That doesn’t mean you would not benefit from them. When I first started wearing some, my loss was less than it is now, but my wife was complaining about repeating herself (and she does not readily complain about things, she’s very easy-going). Hearing those “s” sounds made a huge difference between me and her.

What I haven’t seen others touch on here is that the Costco dispenser is likely married and thinks not hearing HIS wife would be a plus some days! I love my wife enough to have gotten hearing aids early on in life. I was in my 30s when I got my first HA.

Let us know how the trial goes for you.

Squeaky little kid voices are the hardest to understand!! But, they are the voices you need and want to understand.
I bring up the qualifications, experience and education of the professionals you visited for evaluation. This is not meant to be a Costco vs private Audiology debate. Likely, the Costco person was a Hearing Instrument Specialist, and not an Audiologist. I am just guessing, as you didn’t say. You got very different opinions. Question why.
Is hearing loss something to deal with? Yes - everyday, every minute with or without hearing aids. With hearing aids, if you are able to better understand your wife and kids, that is a huge benefit for everybody. It is a hard decision we’ve all had to make here. My advice - don’t wait to long.

Good heavens, don’t listen to Costco! If you’re not hearing your own family talk to you, get your hearing aids pronto. Make sure you get at least a six week trial period.

Take your time deciding if the hearing aids you were given are right for you, as it takes your brain time to adjust to them. Also be prepared to keep going back to get things adjusted and fixed to suit your very individual needs. Like, you shouldn’t be getting much feedback, if any. And if the tips of the hearing aids are wiggling around in your ear canal so that it affects how you hear, you might need larger or smaller, or differently shaped domes–or even custom molded ones. Do not hesitate to demand fixes, especially during the trial period.

Best of luck to you. Your life will improve if you hear better.