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Need decision help how to proceed with hearing aids, your experience
Right now I have hearing aids through the audiologist who is connected to an ENT clinic. My trial period is about to end, no insurance coverage,
cost $3200 for Phonak, paid already $1200 for the trail period with refund guarantee, the hearing aids are good, the issue is the cost. Costco may have comparable, good hearing aids with less costs, same benefits in warranty, ... Costco will accept my audiogram since it is less than 6 months old. Is it worth to invest $65 Costco membership, travel, appointment time to save some $? Did you do something like this?
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Costco will do hearing test free. I have purchased several hearing aids from Costco, I was satisfied. Recently I have relocated and my nearest Costco is several miles away via major highway. I will not repurchase from Costco. Also I believe Costco no longer offers Phonak
If cost is a your major factor then go ahead with Costco, but for me accessibility is most important
You can purchase the same hearing aids you are wearing in your trial for half the price at ziphearing.com. They also will refer you to an audiologist in your area for fittings and future appointments. I got my first pair of aids this way when I lived in Texas. They set me up with an audiologist that was a short 15-20 minute drive away. I now have a coclear ear implant but have high praise for this business.
I would suggest you try TruHearing. Much like Ziphearing they have a good network of audiologists around the country with very good prices and they carry all the best brands.
Also make sure you find a good audiologist. Mine is very good but also very busy. I made an appointment with UCH the largest hospital in my area. I went to their audiology department and paid $90 for a far more comprehensive hearing test and adjustment. My appointment lasted an hour and a half. My regular audiologist could never spend that much time with me because of her workload. Just a thought. She also told me that Cochlear implants would not improve my hearing anymore than my current hearing aids. It was nice to get an unbiased opinion. Hearing aids continue to get better and they are doing research on how to regrow damaged hair cells. Probably nothing on that front for awhile but one can only hope.
Good luck.
Thank you for sharing information about TruHearing and Ziphearing. They both are reputable. It's pretty obvious that the high cost of hearing aids has become a concern of many. Thus the founding of these outside companies that are able to cut cost. If cost is an issue for you, it's important to do some research on the cost of specific brands and models.
I wonder if there is an issue related to only needing one hearing aid since all I've seen mentioned are quoted as pairs. A lot of people are bimodal users of both a cochlear implant and a hearing aid. I am one of them.
When quality, well fit hearing aids are no longer working for a person with profound hearing loss, cochlear implants may be worth considering. Like hearing aids, cochlear implants have improved immensely over the past few decades. In most instances, learning how to use the apps and add on technology is extremely important. Unfortunately, the people who fit and sell hearing instruments don't always have or take the time to teach people how to use them. All of those providers should have the add on tech available to demonstrate to their patients. Simply talking about it doesn't teach. Ignoring it is even worse. TIME is always an excuse.
thank you for commenting and educating us to ask about a demonstration how to use the app, we did not get one, we were offered free on site service if there is an issue, but that is time consuming, making an appointment, driving, maybe waiting despite having an appointment, it would be good to learn how to use the app and be able to make the adjustments ourselves -
Thanks for your comment. Truehearing access won't work if you are uninsured or your insurance plan doesn't include Truhearing benefits, unless this online information is wrong,
so there are 4 providers for ziphearing in my area, to release the information, you have to give them your phone number.
I called Costco, I need a Costco membership, $65. They accept my audiogram because it was done within the last 6 months. They offer Jabra hearing aids which they is Phonak just under a different name. Did anyone else hear this
explanation?
Give them a call on Monday. I think you still get the discount. It is worth a try.
Jabra is owned by GN Hearing, the maker of ReSound hearing aids. Jabra Enhance Pro is nearly identical to ReSound's NEXIA device. This is information from the internet.