What can you tell me about choosing hearing aids?

Getting old is not only not fun, but very expensive, and lots to learn.

Got the word yesterday that hearing aids are called for.  I'm on Medicare, so no hope getting the money there.  Cost is not the biggest problem, (one more deduction from the retirement funds).  But getting the best product, maintenance, performance, etc. are all new to me.  I'm fine with the "over the ear" style, but any advice/experience you can share re: where, what, how is appreciated.


If cost is a problem and you are a member of COSTCO, hearing aids are much less expensive there than elsewhere.  

Check out the SOMA Two Towns For All Ages website and go to the Hearing Information tab.  Lots of information there supplied by Pearl Feder who is a retired social worker who specialized on working with the hearing impaired.


Three people I know, bought their aids from Costco. They are happy with them. Priced about $800 per ear. Not everyone needs both pieces.


Formerlyjerseyjack said:

Three people I know, bought their aids from Costco. They are happy with them. Priced about $800 per ear. Not everyone needs both pieces.

 I agree, Costco is a good choice. But I question if $800 will give you everything you want. Remember when new cars came without a radio or a/c? I had to replace mine earlier this year and the cost was closer to $1K per ear. There are other choices to be considered — over the ear, in the ear, bells and whistles, etc.

As far as doing only one ear, Costco might not agree or recommend it. I trust Costco’s customer service ethics. Get your doctor’s take on whether one device would work.



I've heard that Costco is a good option price-wise, but that their after-purchase service is not so good. True?


Something new to consider as long as Covid is a part of our world: which style works best when you wear a mask. A friend told me she worried her husband could lose one of he took off/put in his mask while outside. (I suspect this has happened in the house so she has reason to be concerned.)

Also, I've observed others where it takes some time and professional adjustments to optimize performance. Before beginning this you might consider deferring purchase given potential Covid shutdowns and the close proximity to others when getting fitted.


unicorn33 said:

I've heard that Costco is a good option price-wise, but that their after-purchase service is not so good. True?

 Not in my experience.


Masks, with the hearing aids that have antennae, are not the best match.


Formerlyjerseyjack said:

Masks, with the hearing aids that have antennae, are not the best match.

A person I know who relies on hearing aids, wears a face shield rather than a mask for this reason.   

Add eyeglasses to the equation and the ear lobes get pretty crowded.


To keep one thing off the ear lobes, I have mask extenders which keep the straps on the back of my head. Leaves more room for the glasses! But reading glasses present yet another problem — off and on use might dislodge the behind the ear style. However, I personally chose behind the ear rather than in the ear canal. Gaiter masks — often worn by police, athletes, first responders, etc — are a good choice and free up the ear lobes. As cold weather neck warmers, gaiters win.


unicorn33 said:

I've heard that Costco is a good option price-wise, but that their after-purchase service is not so good. True?

 My taller half has been very satisfied with their after-purchase service. He’s needed it a few times, for various reasons,  and they’ve been very accommodating. 


@Juniemoon,

I have no personal knowledge re: hearing aids.  I did,however, ask on a photo forum I visit ALOT.  Most answers have been from people that say their aids were gotten thru their nat'l health service.  Several folks said they got their's privately at prices that seem a lott higher than those mentioned here.

One lady, Monika- from Netherlands, sent me this emai.  So far this has been the most helpful response.


Hi apollo i just read your post. I remembered seeing them on aliexpress pretty cheap.

https://www.aliexpress.com/w/wholes...&isFavorite=y&SortType=default&page=1&CatId=0

They get high reviews and for the money maybe worth trying.

I never had any of them myself so I cannot say how good they are.

Aliexpress is a great shop when you read the reviews first.

I have shopped there many times and their service is great.

Only their shipping is slow but I never mind waiting a bit since

their prices are soooo low oh oh


I wouldn’t get hearing aids off the shelf. The devices needed to be fitted and balanced which require a technician’s attention. When adjustments are needed, it is great to go back to the store and have done — free at Costco.

I got hearing aid replacements earlier this year (during the time Costco had to undergo big changes to its hearing aid centers to accommodate COVID requirements). 

Just a few weeks ago, I had an Iphone upgrade and discovered that my phone now had a new option  - direct connection to my  hearing aids. I chose it, not fully understanding how it worked. Soon after, while riding in the back seat of my son’s car, I heard a phone ringing. No one else heard the ringing. This happened another time, at an outside lunch, when, again, no one noticed a phone was ringing! 

I finally connected the dots and dropped the hearing aid option! surprised


Some brands of hearing aids have an app feature that allows you to make adjustments to your hearing aids from your smart phone or tablet.  This can be helpful if you do not want to fiddle with your hearing aid settings while you are wearing the hearing aids.


Sorry to admit that I found this thread helpful even if the information will be useful only in the (near) future. LOL


told Hackensack Auditory gets good reviews.   Followup supposed to be very good.



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