I have a pair of Kirkland KS6s purchased in 2015. About a year ago, I got replacement bulbs that were apparently different than what I had previously used. I know that because for the first time, I had great difficulty changing bulbs. In fact, I learned you needed a special tool to put them on.
Recently, I began having a lot of noise with one HA. I finally went to Costco and the tech said I had feedback and the bulb in my right ear was too small, and was causing the feedback. He gave me larger bulbs for that ear, and I am now hearing much better now with no feedback.
I was seriously considering replacing my HAs due to my recent hearing challenges, but the tech does not think I need to get new HAs unless I just want to.
I was tested and fitted in 2015 by an audiologist who still works there. She obviously understood my need. I feel like Costco should have known what I needed from my records or by looking at the bulbs when I got replacements. When they switched bulbs on me, I vaguely recall the tech (a different person) saying I had the wrong bulbs. Hence, the switch.
This has caused me to wonder if I would be better served by an audiologist at a different practice. My first HA was done by a doctor of audiology at an ENT practice. I feel like my Costco experience, aside from this last issue, has been better than the ENT. The challenge would be finding a good one, because they are not all equal.
I really like Costco’s prices, but am willing to pay more to get the best HAs for me from a really good audiologist.
I have found there is some trial and error in getting the right size domes. The fitter at Costco gave me a bunch of both 8mm and 10mm domes. I occasionally try switching from one size to the other — both work, but I wish there was a 9mm version, which I think would be ideal for me.
I had the KS7 and KS9, and now the Philips 9030. I found the KS9s much better than the KS7s. They also had Bluetooth streaming for Android phones, which was important for me.
My experience with Costco has been generally very good. My suggestion would be to try one of the latest Costco aids and see how they compare to your current ones.
Try the Starkey mushroom style domes. I’ve recently switched most of our new fittings to them, they are a bit thicker material than the Sonova ones, but they fit most receivers.
I think you’ll find that today’s HAs are immensely better than your pair from 2015. I second the reco to try out a new pair, either at Costco or a private practice.
Every place you go to is only as good as the people who work there. Being that it’s a Costco doesn’t guarantee anything as far as the quality of the service is concerned. Also mistakes can happen. All Costco are not created equal.
I had a hearing test at Costco last year. The tech felt what I had was sufficient. He said most of the improvements in HAs in recent years have been things like rechargeable batteries and blue tooth (I already have this). He said the improvement in hearing technology had not been that significant. That surprised me because technology in general tends to improve a lot in 8 years.
My current HAs work well in most situations. I sometimes struggle in small groups, especially when people talk in low voices. I have tinnitus so not sure if any HAs help that.
Costco’s Jabra Pro 10s seem to have tinnitus control, but only audiologists are supposed to adjust it. I tried out Philips 9030s and didn’t see any tinnitus controls, but I didn’t look.
I got Phonak Brios in 2015 and Philips 9010s in 2020, IIRC. I got what I thought was more natural sound from the 9010s. The sound from my Jabras are both more natural and more sharply delineated than the 9010s or 9030s. I’d call the improvements ‘quantum leaps’ with each new pair, but YMMV.
One thing that seems to help in small groups is the ‘Multi-Mic’, a ReSound accessory (Jabras are made by ReSound). If it’s vertical, it transmits sound from one speaker, if the speaker lets it hang from neck or clamps it on the lapel. If it’s horizontal, it’s an omni-directional mic.
To improve hearing in small groups, I recommend looking into an accessory mic from the manufacturer of your KS6s.
But … another consideration is that electronics have finite lives, and they often stop working pretty suddenly. 8 years of constant use would make me want to get new HAs before my old ones give up the ghost… And I don’t think I’d buy any accessories for 8 year old aids.
The wrong size domes wouldn’t bother me, if I got good service otherwise. My Costco just lost it audiologist, so I’m down to some relatively inexperienced HISs. If I didn’t like the Jabras, I think I’d wait for Philips 9040s or check out non-Costco HAs from a different practice than you tried before.
My 2022 hearing tests both at ENT and Costco was at 80db which I understand to be at high end of severe hearing loss. Not much change from 2015 which is good. However, I believe this means some HAs would not be suitable.
Several of the aids Costco sells have the ability to do tinnitus control. However, Costco will not program it. They aren’t allowed. Short reason is that it isn’t all that reliable and they had too many complaints. Personally, I have the previous Jabra aids, and I’ve turned it on myself but I don’t get any relief from it, so I turned it back off again. Ymmv