No, it’s nothing like that at all. Audiologists are licensed by each state. Previously audiologists had to have at least a master’s in audiology but now new ones have to have a doctorate. Costco has a hearing aid center with a booth and all the same equipment any other hearing aid center has and my two Costco audiologists have had a doctorate and master’s, respectively.
A better comparison would be in the vision field. If your doctor of optometry changed and went to work in a Wal-Mart optical center, would you go there? Do you think the optometrists at Wal-Mart optical centers are any less professional than private practice optometrists?
Do you think the audiologists at a Costco hearing aid center are any less professional? My experience is they are just as professional and in fact, more knowledgable than my previous audiologist.
I’m happy an ethical company like Costco has a hearing aid center where I can buy premium hearing aids, get great service and exams, at “Costco” prices (nothing marked up more than 17%), with NO pressure.
Actually, I’m not sure hearing aids are included in the “nothing over 17%” thing but maybe they are.