Are all Costco hearing aid centers created equal?

Hearing Aids
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#14

Just catching up, I don’t get email notification when a reply is made… don’t know why, I have Instant Email checked…but that’s another subject.

I haven’t yet gone to the trouble to start making a claim on the insurance company…strange, I usually worry about every penny : (

I agree in theory on the VA, notwithstanding the mess we see now uncovered, and as a Navy veteran myself I checked on the possibility I might qualify for hearing aids paid for by the VA (tax payers) I was not ever under “fire” but I worked on the Navy flight line in the late 1950s (no war going on, other than the cold war). I was told that if I suffer from tinnitus (SP? ringing in the ears) the fact that I worked on Naval Air Craft gave me a good shot at being approved. I do not have any ringing in my ears so I dropped the issue.

#15

good for you, saving the taxpayers money… it’s a lot of work to have the VSO fill out a claim for you.

you either checked a long time ago or got bad information…

#16

I’m still not getting email notification of replies…maybe my ISP is blocking.

Not sure on what bad information: I talked with a NJ VA adviser at our Senior Center about a month ago. I got the impression he was working hard to get me qualified, not trying to turn me away - e.g., working for the VA and paid to deflect, deter, delay …

#17

if your happy that’s all that counts…

— Updated —

if your happy that’s all that counts…

#18

I got a call from Costco today. I have an appointment for picking up/adjusting my new HAs (Signature 5) on Monday. I look forward to a happy ongoing hearing experience. The Kirkland HAs have good reviews on this forum, a major input to my decision to purchase.

#19

Actually, the veteran generally needs to have a documented change in hearing thresholds while in service, or records of being treated for hearing loss or tinnitus while in service to receive disability. Being in country does not automatically assure approval, so that’s not “absolute fact”.

#20

Being in RVN guarantees you to be eligible for VA Healthcare. This absolutely FACT.

#21

I was referring to the part where you stated that if you file for disability you will be rated and receive $$$. Just being in RVN does not guarantee that you will receive disability.

#22

IF the veteran is rated for a disability they will received a monthly check. very few official medical records still exist for RVN Vets. that’s also a fact. the other fact is you do NOT need documented change in hearing while you were on active duty. if he was on a flight line of an aircraft carrier I’m willing to bet he can get a disability rating if he went through the proper procedure. it don’t cost nothing but he could end up with a nice tax free check the first one including back to the date he filed. .

#23

Here’s a photo of my Costco hearing center with 2 booths.
Sorry for buggy being in the way as I tried to take a photo without anyone in the photo.

#24

Looks pretty much like my local Costco too.

#25

The Northern California Costco Hearing aid centers seem to be vastly understaffed. The one time I actually saw someone at one and asked about an appointment they told me the first available slot was sometime in late July (this was in early May). I’m intrigued by the price but if it takes 6 to 8 weeks to get an appointment if somethings glitching I think I’ll pass and stick with my slightly pricier audiologist. I can usually get an appointment with 24 hours notice there.

#26

some folks don’t have the luxury of spending $6k vs $2k.

most folks wait for years before they finally give in to family and friend and decide to get hearing aid. then have a fit when they can’t get a same day appointment.
tried to get into and ENT or any specialist lately? there’s a reason the good guys are busy.

— Updated —

some folks don’t have the luxury of spending $6k vs $2k.

most folks wait for years before they finally give in to family and friend and decide to get hearing aid. then have a fit when they can’t get a same day appointment.
tried to get into and ENT or any specialist lately? there’s a reason the good guys are busy.

#27

^Ditto!^
If you’re interested in getting new aids from Costco I would call them and schedule an appointment.
I called and got an appointment a little over a week away but wasn’t workable for me. The next appointment was available was in two weeks which I took. Keep in mind that a lot of folks are going to Costco for new aids, cleanings and adjustments.
I imagine that they schedule new customers at least 2 or 3 hours apart so the HIS and you have time to discuss your options and answer questions. My appointment is next week.

#28

I have two Costcos in my area. One had a two month wait but the other only a couple of weeks for a first appointment. I don’t know if the appointment load varies a lot or if I was just lucky with the second store. In any case neither store requires an appointment if you have a problem with the HAs. When I was there I saw people stop by and drop off their HAs for maintenance while they were shopping. You might want to confirm that the policy is same at the Costco near you. Note that you can go to any Costco if you have a problem with HAs you’ve purchased from them. That’s a real benefit if you’re traveling and some issue comes up.

#29

I stopped by the hearing aid center at my nearest Costco (Chico, CA) on the morning of 7/16 and got an appointment for 2 PM that same afternoon. Ended up buying the Signature 5.0s after the test and had them fitted the next day. I certainly have no complaints about Costco’s wait times OR service.

First post here BTW; extremely informative group :cool:

#30

Does Costco allow a maximum of 1.5 hours for each person?
I just returned from Costco with my hearing test. I still had questions but they had others waiting for hearing test so I had to leave. I did get another appointment to return next week.

#31

Was this for an initial hearing test, or for the first fitting of new hearing aids, or was it for a follow-up session? Sounds like they had a slot for you but also had other appointments. Maybe when they scheduled they thought that was all that was needed and they scheduled the next appointment after that?

1.5 hours is about right for a hearing test but pretty long for a followup visit. But whatever the reason, it is going to be up to the local people and how busy they are and how they have people spaced out on the appointment schedule.

What questions did you have? Maybe some of the pros here can help with that so you can get more out of your next appointment.

#32

Oh! Ok. It was just for the initial hearing test.
I was under the impression that I would be told what HA’s would work for me. I guess the HIS didn’t have time to do that.

They scheduled me to come next week but I don’t know if it is for discussing what HA’s I could use or to perform another hearing test.

Thanks for your reply!

#33

I’m wondering if anyone out there has had experience with the Costco Hearing Aid Center at the store on Marketplace in Tucson.