Costco hearing aids

Hearing Aids
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#21

She’s probably doing it because in another thread this morning I suggested Costco as one alternative to a new user who was taken aback by the sky-high price of Agil Pros which his audiologist recommended as his first HA. (I did also suggest, first, that he ask his audiologist if there was a model in the $1000-$2000 per aid range that might meet his need.) Or it may be that she’s doing this because she’s a private audiologist feeling pressure from Costco because she can’t beat them on price.

Lots of people simply can’t afford to spend $6000+ on hearing aids that will last five years. And yes, many private audiologists may be able to do much better on price than that with very good aids for many patients, especially if they’re asked directly.

Look, I’m a Costco member. I go to Costco for eyeglasses. I go to a private audiologist for hearing aids because I do have a fairly-priced private audiologist who gives great service right nearby where I live. But Costco is well worth considering for either need, depending how convenient they are to you in location. Remember that most HA patients need to visit their audi more frequently than they do their eye provider. It also depends what kind of hearing correction is needed, and so on.

But I would not assume that the private audiologist always gives better service than Costco. This is going to vary greatly depending on the people behind the desks in question.

Consumer Reports has never rated audiology services, but they have rated eyeglass & contact lens services, most recently in 2006. In that report, Costco had the best ratings overall among the eyeglass chains. On service, they were rated 4 on a scale from 1 to 5 with 5 the top category–they were the only chain then rated higher than 3 for service–and Costco got a 5 on cost satisfaction, a rating matched by two other membership-club stores, BJ’s and Sam’s Club, which got 3 ratings on service. Overall, Costco won Consumer Reports’ comparison rating two dozen chains by providing better service according to their customers than much more expensive eyeglass chains such as LensCrafters. Note that these ratings are based on ratings from customers in a survey mailed to them by Consumer Reports.

OK, but Joanne’s point is that the service is better at non-chain operations. In many cases, yes. According to CR, the non-chain shops and opthamology offices that sell glasses, as a group (there’s no point rating these individually because they’re too scattered) scored a 5 on service, but predictably, they scored only a 2 on cost satisfaction. Overall, Consumer Reports felt the combination of customer satisfaction with both service and price was comparable for Costco and non-chain services, with both scoring 84 out of 100 overall. On the other end, there was Eyeglass World, with a 1 for service, a 2 for cost satisfaction, and a 66 overall. I imagine there are some hearing aid businesses that would pull similar numbers out there!

Of course, there’s no one right answer for everybody. If service is more important than price, a great private dispenser may be best for you. If price is most important, maybe not. But Costco, if there is one near you with a hearing aid shop, is worth considering either way.

#22

I have never posted on here before. I came across this thread in a search. I just dont know why someone would go to a place like costco to buy a hearing aid…most chain places are tied to manufacturers in some way, typically based upon high volume discounts…I am not saying that Costco is, but if there are audiologists in private pratice, I would think that service and professional advice would be better…ie. less influenced by corporate pressures

#23

I think your post has been well answered above. Certainly I can see why it wouldn’t be for everybody, but if it increases the amount of hearing aid wearers correctly prescribed and therefore represents an improvement in the overall standard of hearing care plus long term market expansion, where is the issue.

If you think that any professional on here is free from pressure to make their business work then you probably don’t understand this industry.

#24

“If you think that any professional on here is free from pressure to make their business work then you probably don’t understand this industry.” Um bongo

Indeed any person performing a function in any business has pressures to perform in order to feed the family, keep the job, keep the doors open. Certainly there are degrees of pressure, but any audi in any setting has pressures exerted upon them. Satisfaction for the HA user is always a roll of the celestial dice and a match up of two human beings. Costco, Sams, VA or my ENTs office.

regards,
TerryB

#25

There is a growing trend in the marketplace for manufacturers to own clinics. While there is an inherent conflict of interest-most manufacturer owned clinics do not tell their patients that they are ‘forced’ to sell certain products-in Canada, most of these are ‘chain’ stores…the same can be said for some private clinics that maintain their names and logos. It is best to ask the audiologist if they sell all types of products from different manufacturers and to outright ask if they are owned by a manufacturer. I have seen first hand the sales pressure tactics for specific products-Oticon/Bernafon and Phonak/Unitron-in some clinics. It is not all cut and dry and therefore I chose to stay away from ‘chain’ clinics. Prices in Canada are controlled by colleges and associations-they have recommended fee guides. Unfortunately, business people that own clinics do not have to adhere to these fee guides and are typically more expensive. It is certainly ‘buyer beware’. While many places offer discounts, get a quote elsewhere and you will see that the vast majority are just mere luring tactics. While I would buy consumer products at a place like Costco, I would not fathom the thought of purchasing a medical product. I certainly would only see an audiologist, as I feel they are better equipped to deal with the entire auditory system. Yes, there are bad audiologists out there too…but if they took the time to do a doctorate degree, when they can legally work and call themselves an audiologist with just a master’s degree, then this should be an indication of the type of care they would offer.

#26

I agree with your synopsis to an extent and certain chains ARE inherently biased to their supporting manufacturer, however making an assumption that a certificate on a wall is going to guarantee proper independent decision making is IMHO naive.

You only have to look at the preferences of the professionals on here to observe the spread of opinion about different manufacturers. Some of those decisions will be well founded, some will be fickle. However, there is a paradox in that you need to have been through the mill enough times to have sufficient experience to do the job, while gaining this experience your practical understanding and opinion of each of the companies is formed. There is going to be -possibly unwarranted or not representative- bias formed.

Costco just seem to sell what they have on the shelf with no particular preference or comission. Their approach isn’t for everybody, but it is quite refreshing, then again I don’t have to deal with the fall-out, so I can’t say how succesful they are.

#27

Costco’s fitters are flat salaried…no commission. Some are good and knowledgeable and some not so good…just like private dispensers. Most are Dispenser grade not Audiologists or AuD’s.

Above based on personal experience and conversations with a HA Costco Mgr.

All new to aids should see a ENT medical doctor before going to any dispenser or Audiologist. Just my strong advice, Ed

#28

Yes, there are bad audiologists out there too…but if they took the time to do a doctorate degree, when they can legally work and call themselves an audiologist with just a master’s degree, then this should be an indication of the type of care they would offer.

Credentials don’t equal competency. There is even disagreement among Doctors of Audiology - the group who got their doctorate online -vs- the ones who attended school full-time for their doctorate.

In the end it all comes down to the individual and the service they provide.

#29

Most audiology practices are also tied to manufacturers - in fact a great deal of them only sell one brand. If that isn’t tied, I don’t know what is.

It seems to me the best would offer several, not one or even two brands.

#30

My Costco experience has been great so far. Costco has a number of lines they sell but no, they don’t sell every brand of HA. They have, in my opinion, enough choices and about the same number of choices as any other audiologist. I had one private audiologist who only sold one brand so can you say she is free from pressure or ties to a manufacturer? Anyway, I too would only go to an audiologist and prefer one who is an AuD. My Costco audiologist is an AuD. The OP assumes many things that are apparently intuitive to her but seem to be based more on prejudice and not facts. Since my Costco AuD audiologist is salaried and not on commission how can one assume she is not qualified and not concerned for my well-being. I believe she is both. A qualified doctor, good products, and no sales pressure makes for a good experience.

#31

Thanks much for your comments. I have a call in now to Costco to get an appointment. I will ask about what qualifications the people at my “local store” (80 miles away!) have. I like your logic. Thanks again… jt

#32

What does an ENT know about Hearing? That is a huge misconception. An ENT is medically trained, as are audiologists, however, audiologists specialize in hearing and balance. Some are equipped to rule out the bad things like tumours etc. Some are not…Costco does not have the equipment to do so…It baffles me as to how the public believe that you should see an ENT. In Ontario, a lot of ENTs are tied to questionable chains…in fact, most seem to be and that is the trend. Although you may put your faith in an ENT that he/she will send you to someone they believe will send you to the ‘best’ person for hearing healthcare, that is not the case.

#33

The rule in the US is that you are to be advised that you should seek confirmation by a medical professional that there is not a correctable or dangerous condition involved in the hearing loss. As an adult you are permitted to sign a waiver to obtaining the advice. Even the VA audi asked if I wanted to see an ENT specialist. Since I know very well why a bunch of hairs are broken by gunshot sound, I signed the waiver.

TerryB

#34

Manufacturers launch products…not providers. These hearing aids are available to everyone that dispenses product. Manufacturers of hearing aids are just doing private labeling for COSTCO.

#35

Right. Kirkland products aren’t made by Costco. They’re made by other companies, with many products including hearing aids made by somebody making a better-known brand name. Costco goes to manufacturers and says, What kind of deal can you cut us to put our Kirkland name on this product you’re making? We’ll support it and market it, which cuts your costs. Pass those savings on to us. Some don’t want the competition and won’t deal. Others see it as a way to pull in more revenue and avoid making another name-brand competitor stronger (because if they don’t agree, somebody else will).