Should You Buy Hearing Aids at Costco?

Costco is the largest hearing aids supplier in the United States. Some industry experts project that Costco will account for 20% of the hearing aid market by the end of 2021. The company's massive buying power means it can sell hearing aids at costs well below other retailers and hearing centers.

That's great news for millions of Americans who could benefit from hearing aids but can't afford $5,000 or more for a pair at a hearing center. Costco's Kirkland Signature hearing aids sell for about $1,500 a pair and have a similar level of technology as brands costing more than twice as much.

But are Costco hearing aids right for you? Costco hearing aids are not the most affordable on the market. You can buy feature-rich hearing aids online at a similar price (or less) for a pair that works for most types of hearing loss—including sensorineural hearing loss which is the most common type. However, Costco sells a wide range of hearing aid brands and models at several different price points, including top-of-the-line devices from premium brands.

Health editors reviewed Costco hearing aids and the overall buying experience. If you're thinking of buying hearing aids at Costco, here's what you should know before you start shopping.

Pros:

• Low prices compared to hearing centers
• Multiple brands and hearing aid styles available
• Professional fitting by hearing instrument specialist
• Free 180-day trial
• Free warranty, follow-up appointments, and hearing aid cleanings
• Service available at other Costco locations

Cons:

• No online ordering
• No payment plans or financing; must pay upfront
• No audiologist consultation
• Hearing aids aren't available to take home at time of appointment
• May require multiple in-person visits
• May have long wait times for appointments
• Must be a Costco member to buy hearing aids or get a hearing test
• Hearing aids may be locked or "defeatured"
• Service available only through Costco

What types of hearing aids does Costco sell?

Costco sells five brands of hearing aids:

• Kirkland Signature (Costco's private-label brand)
• Phonak
• Rexton
• ReSound
• Philips

Each brand sells different styles of hearing aids, including behind-the-ear (BTE), in-the-canal (ITC), and in-the-ear (ITE) devices.

Kirkland Signature hearing aids

Costco doesn't actually manufacture its Kirkland-brand hearing aids. Sonova, the world's largest hearing aid manufacturer, makes Costco's hearing aids. Sonova also manufactures Phonak hearing aids, and in fact, the Kirkland Signature 9.0 is very similar to the Phonak Marvel hearing aid.

The Kirkland Signature hearing aids get rave reviews for their industry-leading Bluetooth streaming technology. In addition to hands-free phone calls and audio streaming, you can control your hearing aids with a smartphone app. This is a great feature if you have dexterity issues or want a more discreet way to adjust your hearing aids.

The Kirkland Signature is a technologically advanced receiver-in-canal hearing aid with 20 channels and 12 audio programs. The newly upgraded 9.0 version can be paired with two devices at one time and works with the EasyLine RemoteControl and PartnerMic. The upgrade allows the hearing aids to be serviced remotely, which is a huge advantage if you're trying to avoid unnecessary trips to the hearing aid center.

On the downside, the Kirkland Signature is only available with disposable batteries; there is currently no rechargeable hearing aid option.

Costco hearing aids come with a three-year warranty, which covers defects, damage, and even loss of the device. It also includes 10 disposable batteries, a carrying case, and a cleaning kit.

Cost: Price starts at $1,499 a pair.

Phonak Brio hearing aids

The Phonak Brio comes in behind-the-ear and custom in-the-canal models. These hearing aids have similar software and sound processing capabilities to the Phonak Marvel, the brand's top-of-the-line hearing aids. In addition to Bluetooth streaming, the Brio also works with the PartnerMic streamer and TV Connector so you can listen to your TV in high-quality Dolby sound.

The Brio is app-controlled for precise adjustments. It can also be serviced remotely by Costco hearing centers. There's also a power BTE option available if you have moderate to severe hearing loss.

Both models use disposable batteries, and there is currently no rechargeable option available.

Cost: Prices start at $2,499 a pair for the BTE model and $2,699 a pair for the ITC model.

You can also purchase Phonak hearing aids through a discount network at a similar price point, with a local fitting service included in your purchase.

Rexton hearing aids

Costco sells the high-tech Rexton Adore line of hearing aids in their hearing centers. There are four models currently available:

• Adore iX: This is a nearly invisible completely-in-the-canal hearing aid that can be controlled with a tiny remote control or via smartphone app.
• Adore Custom: These custom in-the-ear and in-the-canal hearing aids are custom fitted to your ear and feature made-for-iPhone and Bluetooth connectivity.
• Adore LI: The LI is a rechargeable behind-the-ear hearing aid with made-for-iPhone and Bluetooth connectivity to a TV receptor and Smart Mic.
• Adore Styline: These are rechargeable receiver-in-the-canal hearing aids with iPhone and Bluetooth connectivity that work with the TV receptor and SmartMic.

Rexton is a subsidiary of WS Audiology, the company that manufactures Signia and Widex hearing aids. Rexton hearing aids are known for their My Voice technology which recognizes and processes the wearer's voice differently for the most natural hearing experience.

Rexton offers an innovative accessory, the Smart Key, with its hearing aids. The Smart Key is a tiny remote with tactile buttons you can slip in a purse or pocket to discreetly adjust your hearing aids. If you don't want to fiddle with your phone to adjust your device, you'll love the Smart Key.

Cost: Prices start at $2,499 a pair depending on model and options.

ReSound hearing aids

You can buy the ReSound Vida and Preza models, which are available in receiver-in-the-canal and custom BTE and ITC styles. The Preza is a rechargeable hearing aid with an available portable charging case that sells for $199. The Vida uses disposable batteries.

Both models have advanced sound processing and Bluetooth connectivity for effortless streaming. You can buy additional wireless accessories including a remote microphone, TV streamer, remote control to adjust the hearing aids, and a phone clip that lets you stream calls from your smartphone.

Cost: Prices start at $2,499 a pair.

You can also purchase ReSound hearing aids through a discount network at a similar price point, with a local fitting service included in your purchase.

Philips hearing aids

Philips entered the hearing aid market in 2019 and chose Costco as its distribution partner. The Philips HearLink hearing aids are manufactured by Demant and feature Demant's well-regarded SoundMap processing, which helps you understand speech in even the noisiest environments.

The Costco Philips hearing aids come in receiver-in-the-canal and behind-the-ear styles. Philips touts the devices' advanced noise reduction and feedback cancellation technology as well as their multichannel directional microphones.

The HearLink app controls all the settings and adjustments and even lets you mute your hearing aids. If you're the sort who tends to misplace things, we think you'll love the "find my hearing aids" feature that helps you locate your hearing aids if you lose them.

Cost: Prices start at $2,499 a pair.

How do Costco hearing aid prices compare?

The average cost for a pair of hearing aids is about $5,000, which may not include exams, fittings, follow-up appointments, and extended warranties. It's not uncommon to spend $8,000 or more on a pair of high-tech hearing aids at a hearing center.

Costco sells national-brand hearing aids at a steep discount. For example, the Phonak Brio ITC hearing aid starts at just $2,700 a pair when comparable hearing center models can cost $4,000 or more.

Costco Kirkland hearing aids represent the best value among the brands sold by Costco. At $1,500 a pair, the Kirkland Signature provides a level of technology and popular features similar to the Phonak Brio but costs $1,000 less.

While Costco's prices are much lower than hearing center prices, they are still higher than those of many hearing aid brands you can purchase online.

Affordable alternatives to buying hearing aids at Costco

Costco offers a service that appeals to many people, but there are important reasons you might decide that buying hearing aids at Costco isn't right for you.

Costco relies on hearing aid specialists to administer hearing tests, recommend and fit you for your hearing aids, and program your device after purchase. Hearing aid specialists are licensed by their state to dispense hearing aids, but they don't have the expertise of an audiologist.

An audiologist holds a doctorate degree and is an expert in all aspects of hearing care. He or she can prevent, diagnose, and treat hearing loss, balance problems, and other issues relating to the auditory (hearing) or vestibular (balance) systems. An audiologist provides comprehensive hearing health care, whereas a licensed hearing aid dispenser is solely trained to help you purchase hearing aids.

If you want the cost savings but also value the expertise of an audiologist, you can purchase hearing aids by manufacturers such as Phonak, Signia, Starkey, Resound, Widex, and Oticon through a discount network for up to 35% less than retail price. You'll be able to connect with an audiologist in your area and still save money.