The launch date in Europe for the Rexton Reach was in February and it launched in the US on March 12. So, it’s available right now - just not at Costco. Without the Philips 9050 and the Reach, it’s going to become increasingly difficult for Costco hearing specialists to say with a straight face that they sell “premium” hearing aids, equivalent to the top of the line from name brand companies when that’s clearly not the case for 2 of the 3 brands they sell.
What’s surprising about this to me is that it’s been known to everyone for more than 6 months that this new product would be coming to the Rexton lineup - ever since Signia introduced its IX platform. It was only a matter of time before it would trickle down to Rexton. So, they’ve had at least 6 months to do their negotiations. They’ve also had almost 2 months since it was launched in Europe. So, what’s holding them up unless they don’t plan to sell them in Costco? Could the announcement from Oticon that the Intent will not be available through insurance companies be only the first wave of companies holding back their premium products? Or will we see the Philips and Rextons offered at higher prices more like the $2599 that Costco used to charge for the non-Kirkland brands?
