Hi,
Last week I went to Costco, and after the audiologist (if he is one) measured my hearing loss he recommended the kirkland signatures and gave me the option of the Cobalt 16s. I chose the Cobalts as he said it has “newer technology and a better processing chip.” I’m a first time hearing aid user in my 20s and after demo-ing the kirklands I liked the sound quality of other peoples voices, but my own voice sounded a bit mechanic. I’m wondering it that’s normal and I should learn to deal, or if there are other hearing aids that sound more natural. Also, while I was demo-ing the aids, I decided to test it and I purposely banged two quarters together and i noticed I couldn’t hear it unless I brought it very close to my ear; I would hear it much better without my aids. whats the cause?
My hearing loss is a flat mild to moderate (30-50) loss in all frequencies. Also, I asked the costco rep about the verites as there are many good reviews on this site and he said that rexton is made by siemens and that they generally have the better products. Any help/ reviews would be appreciated!
FWIW: I have been told that the return rate for Bernafon Verites is very low at Costco vs. other brands. I have not really heard or seen many complaints about Bernafon on the Net.
If you post your audiogram the professioanls on the site will be able to assit you much better…
I am a Verite user, they are excellent in quiet as well as noisy environments, add the Sound Gate and you find Nirvana, Cell calls diretly in my HA, TV directly in my HA, MP3 Directly in my HA…
I am a huge fan of Costco as well, good luck I hope this helps.
I went to Costco and asked about Bernefons but Jane the fitter told me that she had more success fitting folks with the Rexton Crimson 16s - so I went with the Rexton 16s.
I am very happy with them.
here are my charts:
frequency: 250… 500…1000… 2000… 4000… 8000
Left:… 35… 35… 40… 35… 50… 55
Right:… 35… 35… 30… 30…40… 50
I decided to double check and I took another test at a hearing center; the numbers were a little higher:
frequency: 250… 500… 1000… 2000… 4000… 8000
Left:… 40 … 45… 45… 40… 60 … 60
Right: … 40. … 40 …40… 35… 40 … 55
I went to Costco today to check out the Cobalt 16’s. I have been seriously considering the Siemens Pure 700, and I read where the Cobalt 16 is basically the same model and made by Siemens.
I had never tried a BTE model so the Costco technician (or whatever they’re called) did an audio and then basically told me that instead of the Cobalt 16’s I should instead get the Bernefon Verite’s. She claims that she had problems with the Cobalt 16’s and that the receiver went out on several within a month.
She really didn’t care that my interest was in the Cobalt 16 (since it was purported to be the same thing as the Siemens Pure 700.)
So I left having tried on the Verite - which I kinda liked - and don’t have a clue about the Cobalt.
I’m wondering if this might be b/c she’s more comfortable fine-tuning the Verite.
At this point I’m interested in either model, and will appreciate some feedback from any of you who might be using them.
From reading thru some posts it seems that there aren’t many complaints on Costco, so I guess that’s a good thing.
My story is the exact opposite. I went into Costco wanting to find out more information about the Verite and the technician recommended the Cobalt 16 over the Verite for me. She told me that she has had complaints about the receivers going out more often in the Verite!
I have had the Cobalts for a week and they seem to be working okay except I have some problems getting them to sychronize sometimes
when changing the channels. I love the music/TV channel that is set up.
I have high frequency loss and now I am trying to decide whether I should go back in and give the Verites a try after reading so many favorable comments here on the Forum about them for high frequency loss.
Let us know if you try to the Cobalts.
first day wearing the cobalts, sound good so far 
Music, driving, and wind sound very natural. Other people’s voices sound a bit different at first, but then sound very natural as I adjusted. The only complaint that I have is that my voice sounds slightly different and mechanical but I think that is normal and I’m slowly growing accustomed.
I demoed the gem 12s and I think the cobalts are a lot better.
If you have semi-long hair like I do they are pretty much invisible and the quality of hearing is suprisingly good. Also, there were times today in which I forgot I had them on. 
Had a hearing test at Costco this week. Results:
frequency: 250… 500…1000… 2000… 4000… 8000
Left:… 15… 10… 40… 70… 85…75
Right:… 10… 05… 35…80…90… 70
Speech comp: 72% at 70db L/R, 88%R/80% L at 75db
The fitter didn’t seem sure if anything would work for me. I asked about the Rexton Cobalts I’d read about, but he said he’d need to call the mfr and ask if they’d work. He called back next day and said no, they wouldn’t work for me and suggested Kirkland Signature BTE. Haven’t tried them yet, but I was curious if anyone has experience with these.
Any comments?
cobalts will work and so will verites - if you get it turned up too much at 4k it will drive you nuts (too tinny and feedback)… personally I’d try the verites with you first - good luck
Thanks for the response. Is the Verite the same as Kirkland Signature? The fitter at Costco doesn’t seem too knowledgeable about the product he’s selling…
Verite is made by Bernafon, I was fitted several months ago with Verite and have been extremely satisfied.
Give them a test drive, if they fit your needs.
The Kirkland Signatures I tried over a year ago were Rexton Gem 12’s. It seems that the fitter at that Costco doesn’t know anything about the products.
I know this goes back a few months, but I wonder if Burra and/or anyone else can comment on the Verites—which I’m currently trialing (along with Phonak’s Smart IX) for my severe high-frequency loss/ski-slope style. ; )
Re: the Verite, I’m struggling with a lot of feedback (squealing) and just came across Burra’s remark that, “if you get it turned up too much at 4k it will drive you nuts (too tinny and feedback).” But my loss is about 90db at 4k… so if I understand the comment correctly, then the Verite is simply not sufficient for my loss? Or am I misunderstanding?
BTW, when I first the Verite a week or two ago (right ear only, until I’m able to afford fitting the more severe left), the clarity of speech seemed amazing—esp. compared to the Phonak Smart IX. But the feedback issue seems to have become more prominent, and so the audiologist has now adjusted the feedback management while decreasing the high frequency just a bit. Naturally, speech now is not quite as clear, and, unfortunately, feedback is still bad.
Any help/insight would be greatly welcomed. 
Sydney
I’m test driving the verites from Costco as well. Lots of feedback and white noise after 2 adjustments. Mostly high frequecy loss. would any other models work better?
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