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Costco Hearing Aids: 5 Things to Know Before You Buy

By Dallas Cox
By Dallas Cox
If you’ve had to shop for hearing aids, you know how expensive they can be. Fortunately, Costco provides a cheaper alternative for its members.
In this article, I’ll take a close look at Costco’s hearing aids and what you can expect when you visit the in-store hearing aid center. I’ve recently researched the process of buying hearing aids from Costco and looked at how the prices compared to what consumers pay on average.

Costco Hearing Aid Center: 5 Things to Know Before Your First Visit

Costco is a great place to shop for nearly anything including hearing aids. The Hearing Aid Center provides access to free hearing tests, free hearing aid cleanings and great prices on top-quality hearing aids. 

Consumer Reports ranks Costco highly compared to other hearing aid stores. Survey respondents give the Costco Hearing Aid Center perfect scores as far as price plan options, price transparency, follow-up service, training, courtesy, answering questions and options. 

Before you schedule your first appointment to order hearing aid(s) from Costco, here are five things to know:
Below, you’ll find detailed information including how much you can expect to pay, the types of hearing aids you can expect to see and how to schedule your first visit. 

What Hearing Aids Are Available at Costco?

Costco offers hearing aids from five different manufacturers including big-name hearing aid brands as well as the warehouse’s own private label. 
The following brands of hearing aids are available at Costco: 

You'll also find a variety of hearing aid styles. According to the website, available hearing aid styles include: 

  • Open Fit: worn behind the ear with a thin tube to the ear allowing for natural sounds
  • Behind the Ear: worn behind the ear and attached to a custom-fitted ear mold
  • Bluetooth Capable: worn behind the ear with a thin tube to the ear allowing for natural sounds
  • In the Ear: custom-molded to fit in the ear, usually filling up most of the outer ear
  • Canal: custom-molded to fit within the ear canal and a small portion of the outer ear
  • Completely in the Canal: custom-molded to fit almost completely in the ear canal

For more information on what's available at Costco, click on a partnering manufacturer above or visit the website. To figure out which hearing aid brand and style will work best for you, call your nearest Costco Hearing Aid Center to book an appointment.

How Much Do Hearing Aids at Costco Cost?

Generally speaking, the cost of hearing aids at Costco tends to be on the lower end of the scale. And you'll find a better deal with Costco's Kirkland Signature hearing aids compared to a bigger brand name like Philips. 

Still, it's no secret that hearing aids aren't cheap. In fact, a 2019 survey by Consumer Reports revealed that respondents typically spent $2,691 out of pocket for a pair of hearing aids. That means that a single hearing aid would cost around $1,345.50 on average. 

Below, you’ll find the starting prices for the five different hearing aid brands available at Costco at the time of writing:
Manufacturer Starting Cost Per Pair Starting Cost Per Device
Kirkland Signature $1,499.99 $749.99
Rexton $1,799.98 $899.99
Philips $2,499.99 $1,249.99
Phonak $2,499.99 $1,249.99
ReSound $2,499.99 $1,249.99
As you can see, the most affordable option is Costco’s Kirkland Signature 9.0 hearing aid. At $1,499.99 per pair, that’s $1191 cheaper than average, according to Consumer Reports’ survey results.

Still, based on these numbers, the average cost of a pair of hearing aids starts at $2,159 at Costco. That means that the cost of a single hearing aid starts at $1,079.99 on average. This is still $532 less per pair than what Consumer Reports survey respondents reported paying or $265.51 less per hearing aid. 

Don't hesitate to take advantage of these savings. "You're not going to get a worse hearing aid, and you're not going to get worse service," says money expert Clark Howard. "You're only going to get the difference in price."

How To Buy Hearing Aids at Costco

Whether you’re considering getting a hearing aid for the first time or you’re simply looking for a cheaper alternative, Costco may be worth checking out. 

If you think you may need a hearing aid, take a minute to visit Costco's hearing aid FAQ page. There, you'll find a quick self-evaluation that can point you in the right direction. Costco also offers free hearing tests for members, so that can be a great place to start. 

When it comes to actually buying a hearing aid, it's important to talk to a qualified medical professional so that you know you're getting the best fit. For this reason, you can't order hearing aids online from Costco. Instead, you'll have to schedule an appointment by calling your nearest Costco Hearing Aid Center.

To find your nearest Costco Hearing Aid Center, you can use the store locator online. Click "Show Filter Options" and check the box beside "Hearing Aids." Then, you can enter your city, state or ZIP code and click "Find." 

Once you’ve found the location you’d like to visit, use the phone number provided to schedule an appointment. 

If you're scheduling your first visit to a Costco Hearing Aid Center, you can visit the website to print and fill out this form before your appointment to save time. If you're scheduling a follow-up visit, Costco also provides an online copy of the member journal to fill out beforehand. 

When it's time for your appointment, an associate will help you decide on a hearing aid that will best meet your needs and will order it from the manufacturer. Because Costco has to order the equipment at the time of purchase, you will have to pay for your hearing aid in full upfront. While you may be eligible for reimbursement from your insurance provider, Costco doesn't process insurance claims in-store nor does it offer payment plans on hearing aids.

Also keep in mind that you have to be a Costco member in order to make appointments, to have your hearing tested or to buy devices from the warehouse.

Free Services Available at Costco Hearing Aid Centers

In addition to lower prices and a wide selection of hearing aid brands/types, Costco also provides access to several free services for members. 

According to the website, Costco Hearing Aid Centers offer the following services free of charge:

  • Hearing tests
  • Follow-up appointments
  • Hearing aid cleanings and check-ups
  • Loss and damage coverage (with no deductible)
  • Warranty periods (warranty varies by model)
To take advantage of these free services, simply schedule an appointment at your nearest location. Keep in mind that these services are available only to members, and coverage/warranties only apply to hearing aids purchased from Costco.

Additionally, you can find a list of upcoming free hearing health-related events happening nearby online.

Pros and Cons of Buying Hearing Aids at Costco

Overall, Costco is a great place to order hearing aids. Members will find access to great prices, free services and a variety of hearing aid brands/models. Of course, a membership is required to take advantage of these perks. 
Based on my research, below are the biggest pros and cons I found from buying hearing aids at Costco.

Pros: 

  • Pricing: Costco offers lower prices on hearing aids compared to what Consumer Reports respondents reported paying. The most affordable model, the Kirkland Signature 9.0 hearing aids, begins at $1,499.99/pair. 
  • Free services: You'll get access to a variety of free services including free hearing tests, follow-up appointments, hearing aid cleanings and more. All hearing aids come with free warranties, though the length varies by manufacturer.
  • Selection: Costco carries a wide variety of hearing aids from five different manufacturers. You'll also find six different styles of hearing aids including custom models and Bluetooth capable options. 

Cons: 

  • Membership: You do have to be a Costco member to access the products and services at the Hearing Aid Center. At the time of writing, a standard membership began at $60 annually.
  • Ordering: Unfortunately, you can't order hearing aids online from Costco. You will have to call to make an appointment and visit in-person in order to buy a hearing aid.
  • Payment: Costco doesn't offer payment plans for hearing aids, which means you'll have to pay the full amount upfront. Your insurance provider may reimburse you for the fees or allow you to use FSA funds, but the full payment is required before your order can be placed. 
While you will have to maintain your membership, visit the warehouse in person and pay the full cost of your hearing aid(s) upfront, the selection, savings and perks may be worth it. 

Plus, the cost of a Costco membership will easily pay for itself if you plan on buying hearing aids there. According to Clark, “If you’re required to be a member to buy hearing aids at a warehouse club price, it is well worth the membership fee to do so.”

Before you make your first appointment, take the time to contact your insurance provider and see if you’ll be eligible for any reimbursement after ordering hearing aids from Costco. 

Where do you purchase your hearing aids? Let us know in the comments below!

More Clark.com Content To Help You Save on Hearing Aids:

This article was originally published on Clark.com

The post Costco Hearing Aids: 5 Things to Know Before You Buy appeared first on Clark Howard.

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